We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tiara Letrice a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tiara, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

For years, the areas surrounding my unincorporated community has struggled to build sustainable businesses. and keep their neighborhoods thriving. The lack of zoning laws has created a double-edged sword. On one hand, it offers a sense of freedom for residents to develop their properties and businesses without the red tape typically associated with urban areas. On the other hand, the lack of infrastructure, planning, and formal support systems means that many small business owners and creative entrepreneurs find themselves isolated, without the networks or resources they need to grow. This issue is critical because these small organizations contribute not only to the local economy but also to the cultural fabric of the community. Their work represents the area’s identity, its history, and its potential for future growth. However, without support, many of these businesses remain small and underdeveloped, limiting their impact and leaving the community without the vibrant, thriving economy it could otherwise enjoy.

Understanding this, I am helping businesses better serve and engage with this underserved community, providing the tools and support necessary to help these entrepreneurs succeed. I understand that in a place with few formal resources, community-driven initiatives are essential. That’s why I have channeled my focus on grassroots engagement, working directly with local leaders of the community to help navigate the challenges of operating in an unincorporated area.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a seasoned digital marketing consultant with a passion for creative growth, community engagement, and strategic planning. A super extrovert with a background in fashion and wellness, I’ve mastered the art of client development, consumer behavior and connection. This year I learned the term, “Philanthro-prenuer” and I believe it deeply resonates with who I am. As a corporate image consultant and freelance digital marketing consultant, I’m really good at cultivating image and experience in a way that is healthy, creative and innovative. Through innovative digital products, personal connection and creative strategy, I’ve played a pivotal role in driving business growth and fostering strategic partnerships. Due to my ability to advise on crisis management, brand strategy and community partnerships I am recognized as a trusted partner and advisor amongst colleagues and clients alike. These principles continue to grow and evolve as my career grows and evolves.

In my current role as a fund development chair for a major nonprofit, I am very passionate about advocacy and giving back. But what I am most passionate about is community. I have watched so many wonderful communities die because people stopped believing in them. I believe that no matter where you’re from, you should be able to have an enriching experience. This is why I have started working in community organizing. Communities fail when no one is invested in them. I have begun working with leaders in my community to ensure that people stay invested by providing diverse events that help facilitate a sense of belonging.

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

A lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that there was only one way to do things and I needed to rely solely on the advice I received from others in order to succeed, rather than trusting my own instincts. I always thought that by seeking input from everyone around me, I could avoid mistakes and make the best decisions. But over time, I realized that constantly looking outward for guidance was preventing me from listening to my own inner voice and undermining my confidence in my own judgment. As someone with a collaborative leadership style, I naturally value the perspectives and feelings of others. In my early experiences, this meant I often prioritized the advice and opinions of others over my own instincts. I would consult with colleagues, friends, and mentors on nearly every decision, believing that their input would lead to the “safest” or “most correct” outcome. While this approach often helped me avoid pitfalls, it also left me feeling disconnected from my own sense of direction and inner wisdom, which led to me not trust myself.

The turning point came when I faced a series of decisions where the advice I received conflicted with what I felt deep down was right. After making a few choices based on others’ guidance and feeling unsatisfied with the outcomes, I began to realize that my instincts were valid and worthy of trust. I started to reflect on past decisions and noticed that when I had trusted my gut intuition, things generally turned out well, even if the path wasn’t always clear or easy. Sometimes you will be the first to do something and will seem absolutely nuts to others, but you have to trust the vision, trust the process and above all, trust yourself.

Gradually, I learned to balance my empathetic, collaborative nature with the ability to trust my own instincts. I still value and seek out the input of others, but I’ve become more discerning about when to incorporate that advice and when to follow my own lead.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Being the super extrovert that I am, my most effective strategy has been a combination of building trust through personalized interactions, engaging deeply with the community, and crafting a memorable brand experience. I love people and I love building community, and I strive to create an experience that people will remember positively. This includes ensuring that every interaction is not only informative but also engaging and enjoyable. Whether I’m hosting discussions, sharing valuable insights, or facilitating conversations that matter to the community, this involvement creates a sense of belonging and connection. When people feel that their voices are heard and valued, they’re more likely to stay engaged and recommend the experience to others. By maintaining a consistent tone, style, and level of service, I help reinforce a strong brand identity that people can trust and identify with.. Through exceptional service and community collaboration, I am able to connect with people and they get to know me. That builds trust and trust goes a long way in growing your clientele.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thecoolatelier.substack.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsthetia
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiara-s-753509138/

Image Credits

Junior League of The Woodlands