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As a part of the Morning Lazziness sequence highlighting empowering ladies who’re making a outstanding affect with their concepts, I had the pleasure of interviewing Tenyse Williams.
Tenyse Williams is a nationally acknowledged digital advertising visionary and the Founder & CEO of Verified Consulting, a Licensed Minority and Ladies-Owned Enterprise Enterprise by the Metropolis of New York. She is famend for her experience in social media, influencer relations, and model constructing, delivering measurable outcomes for firms, nonprofits, and movie star personalities throughout industries.
With a consumer roster that features Samsung Reside Occasions, Google NYC, The Nelson Mandela Basis, BET Awards, The Museum of Meals and Drink (MOFAD), and Farmacares, Tenyse has constructed a fame for creating strategic consciousness campaigns, high-impact partnerships, and initiatives that elevate profiles and drive development.
An Adjunct Teacher in Digital Advertising and marketing at Columbia College, George Washington College, and the College of Central Florida, she can be a sought-after occasion producer and moderator, having led sold-out panels for Samsung, FSR Journal, and MOFAD. As a restaurant journalist, she authors a bi-monthly Q&A sequence for FSR Journal, spotlighting Black-owned eating places nationwide.
Her experience has been featured in main retailers together with Forbes, Enterprise Insider, TIME, American Specific, and TODAY.com, making her an influential voice shaping the way forward for advertising and model storytelling.
On this interview, she delves into the challenges, successes, and knowledge she has gained from over a decade of remodeling on-line companies.
Why did you need to begin your personal PR company, and the way did you land your first consumer?
It was created from a need to share these tales that usually didn’t get shared. I noticed the brilliance in small enterprise and group leaders who weren’t getting their voices heard—and I needed issues to alter. I noticed the facility of storytelling and the way PR might leverage visibility into alternative.
My first paying consumer was the CEO of one of many largest Black-owned airways within the Bahamas. That was via a referral after doing a number of media retailers, together with NY1, Inside Version, and a web based outlet the place I booked expertise like Keke Palmer. That first consumer launched me into beginning my very own boutique company, Verified Consulting, along with instructing digital advertising and public relations at Columbia College, George Washington College, and UCF.
What are among the distinctive challenges you’ve confronted as a lady entrepreneur within the PR area, and the way did you overcome them?
Whereas they’re so many ladies within the PR trade ( which is superb!) , breeching the gatekeepers as a Black lady company founder and never working for a fortune 500 company has been a journey. Nearly all of huge, high-profile campaigns are funneled to bigger companies with larger infrastructural backing, and budgets. I bypassed that by making my work screams louder than any résumé—I targeted on offering results-driven work and constructing long-term relationships. Phrase-of-mouth, constant wins, and strategic partnerships grew to become my superpowers. That is how I used to be capable of land main company partnerships for my shoppers together with, Pepsi, Samsung, Google and extra.
How do you keep forward of the curve in a continually evolving trade that’s continually evolving with media and expertise?
I keep related to cultural moments and rising tech by educating digital advertising, lively utilization of platforms like LinkedIn and TikTok, and ongoing trend-watching for shoppers. I additionally imagine it’s useful to *make pals with journalists and influencers previous to pitching*—so I’m not following together with tendencies; I’m an early participant.
What’s your go-to technique for constructing intimate, long-term relationships with shoppers and the media?
Listening. Too many pitch with out figuring out. I take time to pay attention for the consumer’s “why” and match it with the media’s “what.” With press, I take particular care to pitch tales that align with their beat and supply worth—over quantity. I imagine in genuine storytelling over performative buzz.
What’s a marketing campaign or second within the media that you just’re most pleased with—and why is it memorable?
My proudest second was managing the PR and strategic partnerships for the Marcus Garvey Institute for Human Growth. We labored to safe President Joe Biden’s posthumous pardon of Marcus Garvey, and we unfold consciousness of his legacy with press protection throughout the nation.
One other spotlight: being commissioned by Samsung to develop and host “Culinary Chronicles” of their NYC workplace, the beginning of NYC Restaurant Week. Our occasion consisted of restaurant homeowners and influencers the place we have been all featured on a Samsung billboard in Instances Sq.. To see group, tradition, and company synergy align on this method was a second of particular which means. So as to add this previous Black Historical past Month I hosted a bought out occasion at MOFAD ( the musuem of Foods and drinks) the place I featured Black-owned CPG startups/ and restaurant homeowners for a night of networking and stay tastings.
At the moment I’ve my very own bi-monthly column for FSR journal the place I speak about Black-owned eating places nationwide.
What platforms or methods have been handiest in constructing your personal model visibility?
LinkedIn, Instagram, & Tiktok has been considered one of my best instruments for thought management and networking. Talking engagements, on-line seminars, and being an lively contributor in publications like FSR Magazine have helped construct credibility. I additionally spend time constructing relationships in individual—it’s not all on-line, it’s private too.
How has mentorship enriched your profession, and the way do you pay again others within the trade?
Mentorship has performed a central position. From boardrooms to newsrooms, people have opened doorways and inspired me to steer. I return the favor by educating, providing internships, and mentoring rising entrepreneurs—particularly ladies of shade in public relations—the way to field their genius and place themselves on this enviornment.
How do you deal with high-pressure conditions or crises, for a consumer or your personal enterprise?
I analyze the panorama, see via the true vs. perceived disaster, and give attention to managing the manageable. I’ve guided press crises, model transformation, and disaster digital reputations. My method: keep calm, talk clearly, and all the time lead with openness and empathy.
What’s one piece of recommendation you’d give to ladies getting into the PR or communications trade at present?
Don’t chase the press, chase goal! The media trade is shifting, and the individuals who succeed are those that know “what” they stand for and “who” they’re speaking to. Keep rooted in values, construct genuine relationships, and all the time be current with integrity.
What are the 5 stuff you assume are most vital to breaking via self-doubt and constructing confidence on this house?
1. Begin earlier than you’re prepared.
I launched Verified Consulting on a laptop computer and $300 in my Brooklyn residence. If I had waited till I used to be “prepared,” I’d have missed all of the alternatives that drove my firm.
2. Observe your victories.
Whether or not consumer suggestions, press mentions, or behind-the-scenes wins—doc them. Confidence grows while you look again at how far you’ve traveled.
3. Establish your tribe.
Encompass your self with individuals who make you’re feeling such as you’re value it and push you to assume larger. Group is a remedy for imposter syndrome.
4. Put money into your skillset.
Competency builds confidence. Continue to learn—be that via courses, mentors, and even tutoring.
5. Lead along with your story.
Your story, your tradition, your journey—they don’t seem to be roadblocks; they’re your energy. Personal them.
Do you will have a quote, mantra, or philosophy that guides your decision-making and management?
“Visibility creates alternative.”However not simple visibility—intentional, considerate visibility. For myself or for my shoppers, I’m decided to inform tales that depart a legacy.
In the event you might provoke a motion that will do essentially the most good for the best variety of folks, what wouldn’t it be?
I’d create a group of underrepresented enterprise homeowners—particularly in meals and hospitality—with a give attention to strategic partnerships, tailor-made eco-systems,capital, inexpensive advertising entry, and long-term enterprise stability. So a lot of our eating places and meals companies are cultural establishments, and so they deserve an entire menu of help.
How can our readers preserve following your work on-line?
You possibly can observe me at:
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