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

Tanisha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear how you think where to draw the line in terms of asking friends and family to support your business – what’s okay and what’s over the line?

When I first started FEMI Magazine, like any entrepreneur that is new to business, you first typically reach out to your family and close friends for support. What I have learned is that your family and friends should not be your only target audience. Depending solely on them for support could lead to the downfall of your business. As much as you want it to be your family cheering for you, that will not be the case in every situation.
My biggest supporters have come from complete strangers. So that taught me a valuable lesson, don’t limit your support system. It’s okay to spread the news to your friends and family but leave it just as that. Focus your time on reaching others who enjoy your services.

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

I was raised down south in the home of Mardi Gras, which is Mobile, Alabama.

Many came to know me through my writing. I started a Relationship Blog (Starrdom100) in 2011 that accumulated 100k monthly viewers. In 2016 I followed my dream to write for a magazine and was given the chance to write for two major magazines by 2020. This opened doors for me to make a name for myself interviewing a host of Actors, Entrepreneurs and more. I also became widely known through a podcast show I started in 2015 called Starrdom100 Radio. My career path took many avenues allowing me to assist with content for major blogs, and serve as an assistant to a Celebrity. In the summer of 2020 after many years of doubting if I had what it took to start my own magazine, I found hope while in quarantine and I felt spiritually led to step out on faith and launch my own platform. With help, I launched FEMI Magazine with a sole purpose of shining light on those in black communities and in business. I come from a Nigerian bloodline so the name FEMI is Nigerian and means loved by God.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Well I can start by sharing my own personal story. I spent majority of my childhood and teen years in and out of Foster Care. I did not grow up in the best environments and so I found myself as a child always daydreaming and wishing for better days. My escape from the things happening in my home and around me were books. I would read multiple books at a time, my school librarian loved to see me coming. It was in books that I could escape reality and travel mentally to better environments. This love for reading led me to discovering my passion of writing at age 13.

I started creating my own short stories to pass around the classroom in middle school. I also dived into writing poetry. I always dreamed of working one day for a magazine and publishing my own books. Well all thanks to God, I am now running a magazine and I have published two books and multiple journals which are all available on Amazon.
Because of how I grew up, I have a fire that is always lit under me. I don’t stop! I’m striving everyday to be better than I was the day before. I take writing seriously, and I highly encourage and promote reading because outside of God…books saved my life. Books gave me hope that life can get better. It said there is another story out there that you can live!

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

To be honest all of the funding to launch FEMI Magazine came out of pocket. I had a close friend who I pitched the idea to who believed strongly in what I was trying to do. By him already being a business owner, he started investing his earnings from his current business into getting the magazine up off the ground and running. He was a huge blessing to me, and I’m forever grateful. His investments helped to pay for everything we needed at the time to start. He also invested his time in assisting with conducting the photo shoots, paying for travel, booking venues for shoots and more. I also received a few other donations from those who supported the vision. We never did a crowdfunding campaign or took out a business loan. Since day one funding has solely been out of pocket and based on sales and might I add the favor of God!

We do hope to eventually have investors that are interested in what we are doing and who believe in the brand to support.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.FEMIMAGAZINE.com
• Instagram: @femimagazine
• Facebook: @officialfemimagazine
• Linkedin: Tanisha D. Davis
• Twitter: @femimagazine
• Youtube: FEMI Magazine
• Other: TikTok: @femimagazine

Image Credits
Calvin Howard, Marcus Owens, and to Joanna.