Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tamra Nicole Byrd. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tamra Nicole, appreciate you joining us today. The more we talk about good leadership the more we think good leadership practices will spread and so we’d love for you to tell us a story about the best boss you’ve had and what they were like or what they did that was so great?

The best boss I ever had was Venus Anderson. I served as Venus’ personal/executive assistant right when I was starting my journey into the world of Fashion. I had moved home to Houston for a year before going off to grad school at Parsons The New School for Design in NYC. I had just left a personal assistant position that wasn’t the most ideal situation and was a bit apprehensive stepping into this type of role again. But after a month’s time of working for Venus I knew it was kismet. Not only could she relate to so much that I had going on in my personal life, (I had just had my 1st major break up, I was chasing a dream & about to move to the NYC and I was finding myself as a woman, a true big girl, Lioness is what I call her), Venus was a true BOSS. A successful woman capable of running several business, a devoted mother and wife and an overall Baddie. I mean V is gorgeous and so put together and had such great Fashion sense! I was in awe of this woman, still am to this day. Venus Anderson showed me that I could do it all, have it all and look good while being a true BOSS.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I got started working in Fashion as a personal assistant to a celebrity Fashion Stylist. I learned a lot from this experience but I found myself wanting to learn more about the actual business of fashion. I studied Fashion Marketing at Parsons the New School for Design. Through Parsons I was able to study London Fashion abroad at the University of Westminster. After graduating Parsons I went on to do personal shopping at Barney’s and Bergdorf Goodman in NYC.

In 2020 after being let go from my styling job I launched Tamra Nicole Styling Agency, an idea that I have had for over 10 years but was just too scared to go after it. At TNSA I serve as the Lead Stylist where I specialize in styling all body types for both men and women. I also am a Custom Clothier and make Custom Clothing for men and now women! The pandemic taught me that I also really love interior styling, again something I was too scared to really go after. I can also assist my clients with their Home Interior Styling needs.

I’ve worked in luxury fashion retail for over 12 years. I’ve styled celebrities to the stay at home mom and everything in between. I style all body types for both men and women. But mostly I teach my clients how to feel confident in selecting items for themselves when I am not around. My clients often ask themselves “what would Tamra do?” before selecting or purchasing items on their own.

What sets me apart from other Fashion Stylist is that I truly do it all. I successfully style all body types for both men and women and am a certified Custom Clothier. Not only can I shop for you and keep you looking fresh, I can make you the best Custom fitted garment you’ve ever purchased. Whether that be a suit, dinner jacket, tuxedo, slacks or button down shirts.

I live by my tagline “through clothing, I help people’s inner light shine bright”. Dressing someone is such a personal intimate act of service. There is so much more that goes into me just picking out clothes for my clients. My clients are like extended family to me. I’ve been their biggest cheerleader, sometimes a therapist, been invited to their weddings, dressed their children and their spouses. But most importantly I like to believe that my inner light shines onto them when I style them which in turn makes their light shine even brighter. Then they go out into the world shinning their light on others and that beautiful light keeps shinning brighter and brighter as it passes from person to person. This is what I am most proud of.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

The pandemic really took it’s toll on me. I lost my job 2 weeks before the world stopped. Literally. I was unemployed not receiving unemployment and on food stamps. Besides the fact that the whole world was in a state of panic, I was even more panicked about the unknown. I could not understand how someone like me…a Howard + Parsons grad, a person who is such a hard worker + a big dreamer, a person who did the “right thing” could end up in the place that I was in. And it didn’t matter what I did I couldn’t get myself out of that funk. Not church, not praying, not working out, not talking to friends and family. I knew what “to do” but it wasn’t doing no matter how hard I tried.

As the world started to get back to “normal” I had clients still reaching out to me for help & the timing of that reach out was divine. That was a turning point for me. I knew I had to lean in on me again because everything always works out and God hadn’t left me yet. I got my fire back and God keeps showing me month after month that I’m doing something right. I’m just thankful.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe my excellent customer service + genuine care of my client’s well being has helped to build my reputation in this business. The personal shopper I assisted at Bergdorf Goodman really put me onto game and I didn’t even realize it until years later. That experience really made me a better Stylist because I was able to see the human side of it all and how much impact you can really have on your client’s lives.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: tamranicole.com
• Instagram: @tamranicole
• Facebook: Tamra Nicole Style Influencer
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/tamranicole
• Twitter: thetamranicole

Image Credits
Photographer: Jennifer Parker @j_parkerproductions & Hailey Hallum @haileyhallum