We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tenisha Patterson Brown. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tenisha below.
Tenisha, appreciate you joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
The biggest risk I have ever taken was betting on myself and becoming an entrepreneur. I had always envisioned being a doctor or lawyer but I never pictured myself as a business owner. Even throughout college I didn’t realize that my energy was too big for traditional corporate America. As a business management major, I learned how to manage other peoples’ businesses not how to create my own. It wasn’t until my final semester in grad school that I realized, I absolutely needed to be my own boss. I wanted more and honestly it was the scariest decision I ever made. I was broke and careers in sports left team members under paid and overworked. I didn’t want to spend the next 10 years of my life trying to work my way up a pipeline that honestly wasn’t favorable to women in sports. So I decided to create my own lane. I applied for law school, capitalized on my sports management connections and launched my business. It was a struggle but it was worth the risk. Now 14 years later, I’m grateful for the experiences, lessons and blessings of my business.
Tenisha, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a business and legal consultant, entrepreneur, philanthropist, author, infertility advocate, wife and mother. My career is a mixture of business, law and creativity. I have a degree in business management, a masters in sports management and a juris doctorate. I have been practicing law for 11 years, and started my consulting firm in 2009. I have co-owned a Tropical Smoothie Cafe since 2013 and I co-founded and opened Tru Vegan Creamery (a dairy free frozen dessert brand) in 2022. I have been been a part of major commercial deals and one of my clients is a future NFL Hall of Famer.
I have co-authored 2 books “100 Ways to Stay Married” and “Faith, Friendship & Fertility”
I am most proud of my multifaceted career.. I am more than a lawyer or a businesswoman. I’m an active mom and philanthropist as well. I’m creative but structured and I appreciate the freedom I have as an entrepreneur to be all of those things simultaneously.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
I have had over 300 employees over the years and the best advice I can give about managing a team is to never ask your team to do something you are not willing to do. The respect that you earn from working alongside your team is immeasurable. I know how to do everything in my firm and in my stores, and I always let my teams see me doing the work. I wanted them to know that I hold myself to the same standards that I hold them.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When I started my consulting firm, there were very few women working in sports. I refused to allow the statistics to dictate my career path. The biggest hurdle I faced was being taken seriously by potential clients. I had to convince them that I was qualified for more than a date. It was tough to look past the misogyny and focus on the end game. From jokes from old school coaches to comments about my appearance, I had to learn how to develop thick skin without changing who I was. I was determined to be my authentic self and that authenticity and refusal to quit ultimately led to my success.
Contact Info:
- Website: Definitivesportsgroup.com
- Instagram: @tpattbrown
- Facebook: @tenishapattersonbrown
- Linkedin: @tenishapattersonbrownesq