We were lucky to catch up with Tawanna Houston recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tawanna , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

If I could go back in time I would not change the timing of when I launched my business.

Ideally yes it “sounds” great, but I believe my business was created in God’s divine timing. I had the right hunger and motivation at that exact moment in my life to work through the start up years and lessons learned along the way. Especially finding ways to still thrive through pandemics, freezes, and more here in Houston, Tx. Everything just went together and worked out smoothly no matter what challenges faced.

My grand opening for Mrs. Houston’s Avon was April 22, 2018. I was a mom of three children living on her own. With only one child attending elementary. The younger two were still at home; too young to enroll in school. I had no transportation, an old iPhone that worked via Wi-Fi only, and no previous work experience nor knowledge in sales nor business management. I had many failed attempts on job searches and was to a point to where I was praying for God to send a breakthrough. I stepped out on faith and started my business with the last few dollars I had to my name.

The very next day I went out on foot to spread the word of the new services and goods that I would now be able to provide for my community. I remember not evening owning business attire to formally be presentable as I would have liked when I went out prospecting, but I had personality and this one old church suit I can’t even tell you all where or who gave it to me. I had no work materials or inventory, but all that would soon be on the way. My faith was activated! I built connections and developed so many meaningful relationships that led to loyal clientele.

As my business grew, I too wanted to continue to evolve and just be better than the me the day before. This led to my return back to Lone Star College Kingwood switching my major from nursing to business management to learn how to be a better boss, business owner, and leader for my new Avon team that I personally mentored.

Going back to school to educate myself for my business led not only to my AAS degree in Business Management and certification in business administration and operations, but to a whole model and acting career as well. Thanks to helpful staff and programs provided by the college.

I remember asking family to help me make deliveries when I started expanding my business to earn more profit and riding Uber to back and forth to school. I share all of this to encourage others that trouble does not last always. Yes it took patience and I had to conquer fear numerous days to take risk that gave me great return on investment. My business and school helped me to eventually get my Mrs. Houston’s Avon Mobile is what I call her. I was able to finally able to get a new phone, a laptop, business tools, and those nice clothes business ladies wear. My children fell in love with my new passion and purpose and grew with the business as well.

Honestly looking back, I believe that starting my business sooner would’ve resulted in me taken all of these opportunities for granted. Having a family to provide for, while also needing s job that provides schedule flexibility for my children surely gave me the means to create clear SMART goals and dedicate the necessary time towards my business for success.

Five years later, I have the financial freedom that I desire from those few dollars initially invested and my family couldn’t be more proud of all I’ve accomplished along the way. I have been able to earn all paid trips to visit places I never dreamed of and so much more! I’ve also been continuing to blossom as an actress and model. This Boss Life journey has been nothing short of a blessing and I’m forever grateful for all the doors God continues to open for me. My children are doing well in school; providing me even more time to dedicate towards business and self growth and development. In addition to me being so thrilled to have my family watch me march across the big stage with my college come May. Like a boss!!

Tawanna , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hey everyone, I am Tawanna Houston! I am a Business Owner, Model, and Actress from Houston,Texas.

My Mrs. Houston’s Avon business provides one of a kind, natural, and multi beneficial health & beauty products, impeccable customer service with multiple deliveries methods of your choice. Available to shop in person or online 24/7. I offer affordable pricing and special promotions weekly. Join my monthly sweepstakes to earn free products from me with no purchase necessary.

You can view movies I’m casted in, commercials, photo shoot photos, projects I’m currently working on, and more on all my social media platforms.
Thank you for reading!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Through my journey as a business owner, model, and actress I had to unlearn trying to be like anyone else or trying to uphold a particular image that was not naturally myself. Bring me is my super power! There are many businesses, actors, and models people can choose, but what will I do to stand out? Is always my question.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients for me would be from the clients you have now. Word of mouth is a very effective method. Ask them to tell a friend. Offer them what you can as a token of your appreciation. Whether it’s a few dollars if the next time they support your business or a free gift of some sort. Besides referrals, social media is a place where you can keep your supporters updated daily. Consistency is key though. Create a free google business and share your business hours and more on your social platforms. Set small goals that knock out bigger ones without overwhelming you and find a way to keep the love for your passion and craft that is your business and don’t ever give up on it.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.youravon.com/mrshouston
• Instagram: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiHp73x6cf8AhX8lWoFHbDfAe0Qjjh6BAgOEAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Finstagram.com%2FMrshoustonsavon&usg=AOvVaw3VOxDmDlplTC3WQUhOQiAS
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/100063696213920/
• Linkedin: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjawbOi6sf8AhVgmGoFHYu3B3EQjjh6BAgLEAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Ftawanna-houston-62b689161&usg=AOvVaw3sjc6I_QuWg-LJ9lRMa2rL
• Twitter: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi106Cx6sf8AhWZl2oFHUK1A6IQjjh6BAgLEAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmobile.twitter.com%2Fmrshoustonsavon&usg=AOvVaw0uh6AafQ5rsRXiGFc2y6Tc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgFw6V8X8SQK2EDj2iFrBAQ
• Other: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm14109325/?fbclid=PAAabDnV4nwQPcpstB5Juyhh8FfwlQPUQ7bbxBaQjBrFYwF8cHaqI9h4LQJHU

Image Credits
John Conroy Jose Vela Carlos F. Garcia Robert M. Tartell