Meet Tamara Smith

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tamara Smith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tamara below.

Hi Tamara , really appreciate you joining us to talk about a really relevant, albeit unfortunate topic – layoffs and getting fired. Can you talk to us about your experience and how you overcame being let go?
In March of 2020, I was just on the other side of a layoff after my position at the company I was working for at the time was eliminated. I had just started a new job and signed a lease on a new apartment in Dallas, TX, when the world started to shut down. That’s when I experienced my second layoff in less than 90 days due to the impact of COVID.

At the same time, my 86-year-old Dad was in the hospital, and I needed to be there for him. So, I made the decision to move back to my childhood home in Jackson, MS, and support my Dad’s care while figuring out my next steps.

It was definitely a difficult time for me. I remember sitting in the hospital with my Dad, feeling uncertain about my future, and I started searching online for ways to make money working from home. That’s when I stumbled upon the idea of becoming a virtual assistant. It was a completely new concept for me coming from the corporate world, but I saw potential in offering contract business support services.
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Inspired by my Dad and his entrepreneurial spirit, I quickly launched my business, Studio Three 49, which represents his birth year (1934) and month (September). I realized that my years of experience in various industries and wearing multiple hats could be valuable. I had always wanted to start my own business, but had been looking outside of myself for the idea, thinking it had to be some kind of external product or service. It was in that moment, I realized that I could be the product and service.

Initially, I focused on supporting clients with email marketing and social media management, drawing on my background in advertising, marketing, sales and new business development. It was interesting to see how my career had come full circle-my first job out of college was in broadcast production, creating commercials for local advertisers.

In 2021, almost two years into the business, I made the decision to pivot and relaunch Studio Three 49 as a boutique digital marketing agency. I discovered that my true passion lies in helping businesses stand out, be seen and connect with their ideal clients. And that’s what I continue to do today.

So, despite the challenges of a layoff and the uncertainty of the times, I found a new path and embraced the opportunity to create something meaningful. It wasn’t always easy, but it has been incredibly rewarding. I hope that my journey will serve as a reminder that sometimes our biggest breakthroughs come from unexpected situations, and it’s important to stay open to new possibilities.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
One of the most exciting aspects of what we do at Studio Three 49 is helping entrepreneurs and small businesses thrive in the digital space. We’ve evolved into a full-service digital marketing agency, specializing in copywriting, content marketing, social media and paid ads management. But what truly sets us apart is our personalized approach.

As marketers and business owners ourselves, we’ve realized the importance of not just talking at people, but actually talking to people. We understand that behind every like, comment and share, there’s a real person with their own fears, pains and goals. That’s why we’re committed to helping our clients make genuine, personal connections with their ideal clients.

We believe that these connections are the key to starting conversations and creating valuable opportunities for conversions. It’s the same strategy we’ve used to grow Studio Three 49, and I’m proud that we’ve become our own case study to inspire our clients and prospects.

We recently started offering complimentary ST49 Digital Reviews [link: https://www.studiothree49.com/digital-marketing-review]. It’s a free 3-part digital brand check, where we take a look at your business or brand’s online visibility, content and engagement, and deliver our best recommendations to immediately level up online. These are some of the quickest, easiest (and most commonly overlooked!) ways you can improve your digital image-many with minimal cost and effort.

We want clients and prospects to see that they too can achieve remarkable growth and scale their own businesses. And let me tell you, it’s incredibly exciting to witness the success of the people we work with and genuinely enjoy collaborating with. Seeing their growth and achievements is a constant reminder of why we do what we do. We love being their cheerleaders and supporting them along the way.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Curiosity is the inner spark that drives me. It fuels exploration and keeps me asking questions. Being curious has allowed me to continuously seek knowledge, discover new strategies and stay ahead of the game in the ever-evolving digital landscape. Embracing curiosity has opened doors to exciting opportunities and fresh perspectives.

That naturally partners with having a willingness to learn and try new things. In this fast-paced digital world, it’s crucial to adapt and embrace change. I’ve never been afraid to step out of my comfort zone, whether it’s experimenting with emerging marketing trends or diving into unfamiliar territory. Each new experience has expanded my skill set and added valuable resources to my toolkit.

And last, but definitely not least, maintaining a strong sense of humor is essential. Entrepreneurship can be a rollercoaster ride with its fair share of ups and downs. The ability to laugh and not take myself too seriously has been vital during challenging times. It’s a reminder that setbacks are temporary and that a positive mindset is key. When things don’t go as planned, I acknowledge the struggle, find the lesson in it and redirect my efforts. I stand by the idea that there’s no rejection, only redirection.

By embracing these qualities, I’ve learned to see failures as valuable lessons and opportunities for growth. Just because one thing didn’t work out doesn’t mean the whole business is a failure. It’s about reframing, getting back up and finding a new direction. It’s through these experiences that we stumble upon unexpected paths that lead to remarkable outcomes.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
One book that has truly made an impact on me is Be Your Future Self Now by Dr. Benjamin Hardy. It came into my life at the perfect time, as I was contemplating the future of Studio Three 49, our vision for serving clients and our next level of success.

In the book, Dr. Hardy guides readers on how to choose and visualize their future selves. It’s all about imagining the person you want to be and stepping into that role right now. This concept resonated deeply with me because it shifts our focus from dwelling on the past to intentionally creating our desired future. Instead of letting our past define our behavior, we let our imagined future guide our actions.

One of the key takeaways for me was the importance of eliminating lesser goals. Dr. Hardy emphasizes that every decision we make is either a deposit into or a withdrawal from our ability to realize our future self. So, it’s crucial to stay focused and eliminate any lesser goals that may come our way on the path to our greater goal. This perspective has helped me stay laser-focused on what truly matters and make decisions that propel me forward.

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Image Credits
Alicia Leigh Photography (www.alicialeighphoto.com)

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