We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Teneeah Joyner. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Teneeah below.
Teneeah, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Finding my purpose has been a journey that unfolded gradually, and it was shaped by my experiences and the people I hold dear. I’m a mom to three children, two of them being girls who look up to me. Being the strong one in the family, I’ve had to balance a lot—sometimes going through difficult moments behind closed doors while still showing up for those who rely on me. I was a straight-A student, went through college, earned two degrees, two certifications, and even became a entrepreneur, and a self-published author.
Through all of that, I realized my heart lies in encouraging and motivating people, particularly women and young girls; move forward and progress, no matter the hand they’ve been dealt. It’s about empowering them to see that no matter how perfect their life may look on the outside, everyone faces struggles. I’ve learned that “purpose” is often born out of overcoming challenges, which I’ve been doing consistently, in my life. So I’ve carefully learned that my role is to share my story and experiences to help others rise above their own obstacles and expectations. My purpose is to show women that even behind closed doors, they can find strength, resilience, and the courage to move forward.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m just a little girl, who grew up to want more! As I stated earlier; I am a proud mother of three, a wife to an amazing husband, an entrepreneur, author, and I like to consider myself as a unpaid motivational coach.*chuckle* Every time I turn around, someone is sharing their story with me and I find myself encouraging them on which route to take to make them a better person. Most times, I do it unconsciously. The funny thing is, I’m not a person who talks a lot. In fact, I’m a woman who’s quiet, until it’s time to speak.
Through my business, *Shirley’s Fried Ice Cream*, we’ve had the privilege of sharing our unique fried ice cream at festivals across Philly, Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Baltimore, Virginia, and even Atlanta. I’m honored to have won 2nd place in the Dessert Wars National Competition, a testament to the quality and innovation we bring to the dessert world.
In addition to my business, I am a self-published author of *Waking Up to a New Person*, available on Amazon. This book is a quick self-reflection on my personal journey through indifferent pain. I woke up to a new person after lots of prayer, therapy, and tears. “According to them, I was the golden child and I lived my best life, but little did they know, I was filled with depression, pain, anxiety, fear, disappointment, and more.” The important part of my story is that I now understand that life won’t always be as sweet as fried ice cream, but I have gained the knowledge, wisdom, and resources to face life’s challenges as they arise.
As the founder of “Let’s Talk” (Let’s Talk Women’s Empowerment Conference), I am passionate about organizing annual events aimed at uplifting and empowering women. This year, I’m excited to host “Let’s Talk Women’s Empowerment Conference 2025” in Atlanta Ga, featuring a diverse lineup of inspiring speakers, including celebrity panelist Toya Johnson Rushing from WE TV’s “Toya & Reginae”.
What drives me the most is connecting with other women—especially those who, like me, balance multiple roles and responsibilities while striving for personal and professional growth. There’s often a misconception that we have it all together, but the truth is, it takes perseverance, vulnerability, and support from others to keep moving forward. I strive to motivate and inspire women to embrace their imperfections and keep pushing toward their dreams, no matter the obstacles.
I am focused on becoming “more”—not only for myself but for my children and, one day, my grandchildren. The legacy I hope to build is rooted in the idea of growth, perseverance, and empowerment. I want my family to see that we can reach for our highest potential, break barriers, and set new standards for what is possible.
Aside from my current ventures, I still hold onto the dream of becoming a life coach, and it’s something I’m exploring as the next step in my journey. I’m always open to new learning opportunities and collaborations that align with my passion for empowering others.
Currently residing in Delaware and originally from Chester Pa, I remain deeply connected to my roots and committed to continuing my work of inspiring, motivating, and empowering women everywhere. I look forward to all the new ventures that lie ahead!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. **Resilience**: Life is full of challenges, and it’s easy to get discouraged when things don’t go as planned. Resilience has been crucial for me in bouncing back from adversity. When I faced setbacks, whether personal or professional, I learned to keep moving forward with determination and a positive mindset. Resilience isn’t about avoiding pain or difficulties but learning how to face them head-on and come out stronger.
2. **Self-Awareness**: Developing self-awareness has been a game-changer. Understanding who I am, my strengths, weaknesses, and triggers, allowed me to make better decisions, set healthier boundaries, and focus on what truly matters. It also helped me understand that growth is a continuous process. I wasn’t afraid to admit when I needed help or when I made mistakes, which allowed me to grow personally and professionally.
3. **Courage**: Stepping into new ventures and pushing beyond my comfort zone has been one of the most important qualities I’ve developed. Courage isn’t just about taking big risks; it’s about making the decision to move forward, even when you’re uncertain or afraid. I’ve had to step up and take chances, even when I didn’t know exactly what would happen, and it’s paid off in ways I never imagined.
-Advice for those early in their journey; Start by taking the time to reflect on your experiences, both good and bad. Journaling, therapy, or talking to a trusted friend/ family/mentor can be great ways to build self-awareness. Be open to constructive criticism and keep working on understanding yourself better every day. Also remember that “Courage” doesn’t always look like big, dramatic moves. Start by taking small steps outside of your comfort zone, whether it’s speaking up in a meeting or trying something new in your business. The more you practice courage, the easier it becomes to take on bigger challenges.
These qualities; resilience, self-awareness, and courage—have shaped me to who I am today. If you are early in your journey, develop these areas consistently and be patient with yourself. Progress will come, and the setbacks will serve as powerful lessons that will propel you forward.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
The biggest challenge I am currently facing is the loss of my grandmother, who was a very important part of my life. My grandmother, “Mommomm BooBoo”, as we called her, went every where and never missed a beat. We had many conversations about my *Let’s Talk Women’s Empowerment Conference*, and she often asked me how things were going. I remember telling her she would see it all come to life when the time came, but I ended up sharing the details of the event with her once she became severely ill—showing her the plans and the speakers on the panel. I’m so grateful I did, because she passed away on January 10th, and she won’t be here to witness the event on April 19th. Everytime I think about it, it brings tears to my eyes. I miss her so much. I never thought losing her would be this hard.
As if that wasn’t enough, just four days after her passing, I unexpectedly lost my father, which was a complete shock for me. My dad always called me his Superstar and placed me on a high pedestal, encouraging me to reach for the stars. Any time he thought I was down about something, he would say “Tighten Up” and “Be Strong!” I never imagined losing a parent, and now I’m facing this new reality. I miss him too.
The grief I’m feeling right now has been overwhelming. Losing two significant people so close together is something I’m still trying to process. Honestly, I still haven’t wrapped my head around it yet and it’ll probably take me a while.
When people ask me how I’m doing, I say I’m okay; but deep down inside, I’m not. I feel like I’m floating on air, not really grasping “Life” for what it is.
Navigating through the pain, while continuing to move forward with my life is undoubtedly my biggest challenge right now. I know that I can do it, but I’d be lying if I said that it was easy. I’m praying my way through, trusting that God will continue to lead me, and never leave me.
I’ve vowed to myself to walk this thing out until I overcome it, which would look like complete healing. However, I know that it’s pretty much impossible for that to happen, because 2 pieces of my heart will never return. Things will actually never be the same, I’ll just become stronger and stronger everyday and learn to adapt to this new life without them. It’ll definitely be a never ending journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/TheWorldOfMrzJ?fbclid=PAY2xjawIgZBtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpuBjFi7PCvXVjJuGLLB6IKIwRnq4x96oLVNEndT6IyIWZA54Ka3M_y8cpA_aem_kYE30QUH6E3KPWNU-Fr-mw
- Instagram: @letstalk_conference
- Other: Email: [email protected]
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