Meet Tee Wilson of Black Business Boom

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tee Wilson.

Hi Tee, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I see my story through the lens of three phases: learning, experience, and enlightenment. I started my career as a Marketing Communications professional over 20 years ago in my hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana. As a military spouse, I had an opportunity to grow as a professional in many locations and within a variety of industries. My path led me to roles at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The United States Air Force, Ingram Content Group, The American Red Cross, Loyola University, and Coldwell Banker.

I was also a small business owner for six years with operations in four cities. I not only evolved as a professional, but I also learned what gives me purpose. I learned it is not my job to “save the world”. It is my job to make an impact in small, meaningful ways. I feel young professionals are often disillusioned about what it means to enter the workforce, launch a career, or start a business. In the first phase of my career, I learned that there is no perfect role or perfect organization, there is only finding purpose in what I do.

When purpose and meaningful impact became my priority, I decided I would only pursue roles that offered me the opportunity to have that. In 2016, after the murder of Philando Castille, I became heavily involved with Moms of Black Boys United, a national organization on a mission to end police brutality against Black boys and men. I served as the lead brand development and communications strategist for the organization. After relocating to Nashville, I sought more opportunities that would help me connect to my community.

As Director of Client Services for DuGard Communications and Communications Manager for The Equity Alliance, I gained valuable experience in the inner workings and dynamics of the Nashville business community and political landscape. These experiences helped me determine my personal and professional goals and boundaries. It was not the only purpose and meaningful impact that was important, it was also about doing what felt most authentic to me and the legacy I wish to leave behind.

The things I learned and experienced in my previous roles were instrumental to my effectiveness in my current roles. As Chief Operating Officer for Gideon’s Army, I work closely with our CEO to manage the day-to-day operations of the organization, nurture community partnerships, and lead strategic communication plans. As Director of Admissions for Templeton Academy Nashville, I manage the brand awareness of the school while leading recruitment, retainment, and community outreach. Finally, in my role as Chief Marketing Officer for Black Business Boom, I lead brand development, social media, strategic communications, and digital marketing education for small business owners.

I’m a founding member of Rutherford R.I.S.E. , a new non-profit organization on a mission to serve as a resource and a voice for people of color in Rutherford County. I am also a Board Member and Director of Community Engagement for Empowerment, Inc. In these roles, I have been enlightened about the value of my talents, the power of my voice as a Black woman, and the obligation I have to use my talents and my voice to empower others and my community. It has been a very long and complex road to get here, but I finally feel like I am exactly where I am supposed to be at this time in my career.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been many struggles throughout my career, but those struggles made me wiser, stronger, and more resilient. As a military spouse, I had an opportunity to try many roles, but never had an opportunity to truly plant roots and bloom anywhere until I settled here in Nashville. In many ways, my inability to stay in any role very long made me insecure about my value as a professional. I always felt that I had to prove myself to be seen as worthy.
When offered feedback or constructive criticism I would feel it was because I was inadequate. I decided the best way to avoid that feeling was to only aim for low-hanging fruit. I decided I would not strive for greater opportunities or push myself “out front” more because my insecurities had morphed into an intense fear of failure. So, I would just stay behind the scenes in almost everything. But there was always this urging inside that I was meant to do more, say more, and be more.

I also faced challenges by often being the only woman of color in the spaces I was in. That comes with an entirely different level of pressure and expectations. The struggle to find a balance between being gainfully employed in corporate spaces and staying true to yourself and your beliefs is a painful one. Navigating a career where you’re expected to choose between “keeping it real” with yourself or keeping the lights on is mentally exhausting. I decided in 2018 that I would no longer accept that. I will only work in spaces where I can be authentically myself and still be valued for my expertise.

Lastly, I think one of the greatest struggles young professionals face is having a far too idealistic view of what it means to live and work in a society that is driven by status, money, and systemic roadblocks. One of my struggles was the painful realization that there is no “utopia” when it comes to my career. Every opportunity will come with its own set of challenges. The key is to choose your battles wisely, lead with love and use your skills to make a difference when and where you can – project to project, student to student, and human to human.

As you know, we’re big fans of the Black Business Boom. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
Black Business Boom is a social enterprise that supports digital entrepreneurship in Black communities to reduce economic inequality. We started with the fundamental belief that Black-owned businesses matter. They are important to our communities and local economies, and ultimately to the well-being of Black families.

Black Business Boom is committed to giving minority small businesses the chance to grow and ultimately create jobs and wealth. Our digital marketing training program, Boomin University, was created to provide minority entrepreneurs with targeted support, services, and education to navigate their unique path to success. Our strategic marketing firm, Boomin Marketing, combines the knowledge, experience, and creativity of a full-service marketing agency with the efficiency and cost savings of working with an in-house team.

There are businesses that have great creative assets but lack strategy. There are entrepreneurs that use technology effectively but their content is not engaging. True growth requires firing on all cylinders. It requires a comprehensive approach. Black Business Boom is here to walk that path with you, every step of the way.

Other Black Business Boom programs and services include BlackOwnedNashville.com, The Nashville Black Restaurant Guide, Black People Making Moves – Nashville with over 30,000 members, and Boomin Youth, a digital marketing training program for young people aged 12-17.

We have leveraged our programs, services, and expertise to become a leader in digital marketing training and services in the Black community. We have helped hundreds of Black-owned businesses grow their online presence. Not all entrepreneurs have access to the same capital. In order for minority small business owners to survive, they will need the knowledge, skills, tools, and resources to expand their digital footprint in the marketplace. Black Business Boom is on a mission to help level the playing field for minority-owned small businesses.

What does success mean to you?
I’m successful when what I think, what I say, what I feel, and what I do are all in alignment. Many times throughout my career I would think and say one thing, but feel and do another. When I did that, I would always feel incomplete. For the first time in my career, I can honestly say that what I think about, say, feel, and do – are in harmony. That is a huge accomplishment for me. To be able to say that confidently while bringing in the income that I deserve is a true blessing.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: boominmarketing.com
• Instagram: @oohitstee
• Facebook: facebook.com/TeeWilson
• Other: itsteewilson.com

Image Credits
Ashley Callahan Payne Photography