We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tangier Wallace. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tangier below.

Hi Tangier, thanks for joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

I am currently the Owner/Founder of a Women’s Support Group Eloquently Spoken. I had envisioned starting a Women’s group because of my own personal traumas. I knew that like myself there were many women who needed a support system. I was aware that no matter how many people you may have in your life, you can still feel alone in your problems. Instead of looking for a support group, I got the idea to begin my own support group. I picked up one of my many notebooks where I jot down my notes and I wrote down all of the steps that I would need to get started. I began with the vision statement and then I wrote the mission statement. On the same paper, I jotted down a seating chart. I thought that it would be great if everyone sat in a circle so that everyone could have more of a personal connection with one another. I envisioned women going around the room and sharing their stories with each other and being provided with genuine support. I wrote down that I would create some pamphlets and have a sign in sheet with contact numbers so that all attendees would establish a personal relationship. I wrote all of these things down and put the book up. A year went by and the idea came back to surface. I said ok this will be the year that I’ll start it. Well, I didn’t. One year turned to seven years. I was afraid to start the group because I feared the possibility of failing. I doubted myself and I feared that no one would attend, I also feared that no one would really need the group like I thought they would. I had several conversations with my friends and family about this launch, yet fear postponed it every time. Although afraid of what would possibly become of this idea, it never left, it would always resurface. Every time I put the idea to the back of my mind, I would always be reminded that the idea existed. One day I was sitting in my living room talking to my husband, I looked over at him and said this is the year that I am going to start the support group. He said “go for it, I don’t know what you’re waiting on”. I looked at him and said neither do I. I rose up from the sofa and I went to the computer and created a Flyer. I picked up the phone, looked at the calendar and chose a random date, which was February 22, 2020. I began posting the Flyer on social media, sending out text messages and telling my friends through conversation about the Launch. Silently I knew that there was no backing out now. Although still fearful, I made it happen and on February 22, 2020 Eloquently Spoken was launched. I was able to get a space and I had everything from food, drinks and decorations all prepared for the launch, which was very successful and many people attended. The first meeting took place in February and soon thereafter the world was hit with the Covid 19 pandemic. All meetings began to take place via Zoom and Eloquently Spoken became a much needed space for everyone who was dealing with the effects of the Pandemic.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Tangier Wallace and I have a passion for helping others. I enjoy journaling, reading, spending time with family and partaking in necessary self care moments. I spent the majority of my career helping others and providing advice. It is probably not uncommon that I would have created a Women support group. As a child, I had always envisioned myself writing a column and giving advice and as far as I am concerned, what I am currently doing is as close as a woman can get to her dream. I started Eloquently Spoken because I believed that all women regardless of how many people they have in their lives need support. Unfortunately, most women get better support from strangers than the people whom they know. Women need to be heard more and understood without judgment. They should be able to share their stories without feeling embarrassed or have the concept of being ridiculed by others because of their honesty. I wanted to create an environment that represented sisterhood. A safe place where Women can freely speak without judgement. And that is the space in which I created. I provide a platform where women can be forthcoming of their feelings. They are able to share their pain, joy and their accomplishments and are welcomed with encouragement and genuine support. They are learning and growing with one another. They have identified the areas needed to become better versions of themselves. Eloquently Spoken promotes the difference in opinions as we value what we can learn from one another. Through the Eloquently Spoken meetings the message provided is that there is nothing to be ashamed of and that their story is their testimony and may be a survival guide for someone else and it has. I am most proud of the connections that have formed between the women who attend the online and in person meetings. I am grateful that they have entrusted me with their transparency and that I along with the other women have been a stepping stone in their lives. I am confident that when you attend one of Eloquently Spoken meetings you instantly feel supported and have a clear understanding that you are amongst love and automatically recognize that you are in a safe space.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

Eloquently Spoken has its own merchandise that is sold on the website. I have sold several apparel items, such as Hoodies and T-shirts. I have also sold coffee mugs and wine tumblers. I previously had no experience in this area and it was all new for me. I first decided to begin with T-shirts as I thought it would be a great idea to have everyone in uniform whenever I held special events or to represent the brand during meetings. Initially, it wasn’t as easy as I thought. I started doing some research through social media and asking people that I knew about vendors. They provided me with the vendor’s information. Once contact was made, I proceeded with the branding for my company. What I have learned about manufacturing is there will always be errors and you have to be prepared for the unexpected. I learned to also accept that things will not always go according to how you’ve planned it in your mind. Also, to be ready to improvise when needed. What I can say is that you definitely learn through trial and error. When you think you have become a professional in the area, you will learn something else new. You have to be open minded and always ready to try something different. There are unexpected expenses that come up and if you are anything like me you want things to look pretty. Therefore, there will be additional investing into pretty shipping supplies. Nevertheless, with all things considered you are tackling your goals and making things happen.

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

In my lifetime, I’ve had to start over more times than I am comfortable in admitting to. I relocated when I was in my early 20s, uprooted my life and left everything that was familiar to me for the unknown. And it didn’t end there. I had to not once but approximately four times start my life over. Twice in different states and twice in different counties. And each of them came with major sacrifices. Nevertheless, I did my very best in making the changes work for me. When I first relocated to another state it was the hardest thing I could have ever done. At the time I was a young mom who had moved to an unfamiliar state with no relatives and no support system. Despite the hardships that occurred, I realized that there isn’t anything that I can’t do. There were moments of unknown depression, sadness and loneliness and despite it all, I persevered. Sometimes, I sit back and just ponder on all the things that I’ve been through and I am truly proud of myself. Where I once depended on the approval of others to validate who I am, that is the past version of who I was. I am without a question clear about who I am today and grateful to be walking in my purpose. I believe in my mission to empower Women and I will continue to do so.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.eloquentlyspoken.Net
• Instagram: @eloquentlyspoken4us
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/eloquently.spoken.71