We recently connected with Tiffany Oakley and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiffany, thanks for joining us today. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.

My Entrepreneurial Journey & Serving the Underserved Community

My entrepreneurial journey began in 2012, driven by a desire to create a clothing line that was affordable and accessible to my community. I’ve always been passionate about business, but my true purpose was unlocked after facing several challenges along the way.

By 2017, I launched Tiffany O Cosmetic, a vegan beauty line, without formal business training. I had no prior knowledge of how to properly establish and grow a company, so I spent my breaks from work at the library, reading books on business and marketing. It was a difficult road—my cosmetic company faced many challenges, largely because I lacked the foundational knowledge I needed to succeed.

Through my failures, I began to understand the gaps in my businesses, particularly around marketing and establishing solid foundations. This experience pushed me to invest in digital marketing courses and education. Once I gained clarity and a better understanding of the business world, I reflected on my journey and realized many other aspiring entrepreneurs likely face the same obstacles—spending unnecessary money and time trying to build something without proper guidance.

In 2023, I launched my own marketing agency with a special focus on the underserved community, helping others avoid the same mistakes I made. My passion for entrepreneurship, marketing, and giving back to my community inspired me to provide services and tools that empower people to build their businesses from a stronger foundation.

Additionally, my work with Community Outreach and Advocacy Corporation (COAC) allowed me to extend my support even further by offering free facials to underserved communities. In 2024, I was honored to collaborate with State Representative Sheila Jones on her re-election campaign, where my focus was to raise awareness around business, entrepreneurship, and marketing within underserved communities.

My experiences and failures have equipped me with valuable knowledge, and now my goal is to empower others by giving them the tools I didn’t have when I first started. By supporting the underserved community, I hope to see more entrepreneurs succeed, bringing positive change and growth to our neighborhoods.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Growing up in Brooklyn, NY, entrepreneurship has always been a part of my life. My family was known for having side businesses—my grandmother juggled multiple side jobs from baking to sewing, and my father ran his own roofing company. My mother even owns her own transportation business. The entrepreneurial spirit runs deep in my veins, and I knew from an early age that I wanted to create something of my own.

In 2017, I launched Tiffany O Cosmetic, a vegan cosmetics line. It was a significant milestone for me, and in just a few short years, we were featured in stores and even on billboards. In 2019, after the passing of my best friend, I created the Angelic Eyeshadow Palette in her memory. The experience was both personal and powerful, highlighting how much of myself I pour into my work.

I also started Porefect Skin, a vegan skincare line in 2018, and launched a virtual reality store app so clients could have a seamless shopping experience. In 2019, I took my products on the road, traveling with my son to Ohio to stock stores with my skincare line. By 2020, I became a certified esthetician to offer clients vegan facials, further expanding my services.

The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired me to create Supreme Organic Cleaning Services in 2021. By 2022, my cleaning company had served over 500 homes, providing essential services during a time of great need.

In 2023, I shifted focus and started my own marketing agency with a mission to help underserved communities. I remember the significant investments I made in branding, website development, and photography—expenses that often left me drained. My agency helps entrepreneurs avoid those pitfalls by creating strategic, affordable plans that allow them to launch their businesses without falling into debt.

What sets me apart is my deep understanding of the struggles entrepreneurs face. My real-life experiences, combined with a passion for service, have guided me to my current position as Director of Marketing for United Healthcare System of Georgia, where I oversee marketing for over 2,000 healthcare providers. I’m incredibly proud that my marketing research has reached the offices of U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff and even The White House.

Through all my successes and challenges, I’ve learned that anything is possible when you have the passion and drive to serve others. I want my clients, followers, and fans to know that my businesses and services are grounded in authenticity, compassion, and a commitment to helping people succeed.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

In the beginning, like many, I had no prior knowledge on how to effectively build an audience on social media. My initial approach was what I imagine most people do—I paid to run ads on Instagram, thinking more views meant success. I’d spend $30 to boost a post, believing that visibility was the key. But as time went on, I realized that building a social media presence is not about quick fixes or rushing to get followers.

What I learned is that marketing is a process that requires consistency and strategy. The most important thing is to truly understand who your audience is. Once you know that, you can develop content that speaks directly to them. It’s also essential to have a clear budget and know how social media platforms allocate your advertising dollars so you’re not just spending money without seeing results.

For anyone just starting to build their social media presence, my biggest advice is to be patient and focus on creating authentic, engaging content. It’s not just about getting eyes on your posts; it’s about connecting with your audience in meaningful ways. Growth will come naturally when you focus on delivering value and remain consistent.

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

One story that stands out from my journey is when I launched my vegan cosmetic company, Tiffany O Cosmetic, back in 2017. I had no prior business experience, no formal training, and barely any resources. I worked a full-time job and used my breaks to head to the library, reading every business and marketing book I could find. I was determined to make it work, but my lack of knowledge led to many setbacks. From production issues to marketing struggles, it often felt like I was taking one step forward and two steps back.

One of my toughest moments came when I invested a large sum of money into my first product line, only for it to underperform due to a lack of strategic marketing. I felt like I had failed, but rather than give up, I used that experience to learn where I had gone wrong. I took courses in digital marketing, branding, and business strategy to build a solid foundation.

Those initial failures forced me to grow, adapt, and improve. Because of this resilience, I was able to create not only a successful cosmetic brand but later expand into other businesses, including my own marketing agency. Now, I use my experience to help others navigate the challenges I once faced. My setbacks became the fuel that drove me to push harder, learn more, and ultimately, succeed.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bossladytiffany_/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceotiffanyoakley/