Today we’d like to introduce you to Tammy Durden.
Hi Tammy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Thank you for allowing me to share my story with you and your readers. I transitioned into coaching in 2017 while running my small digital marketing agency. It has been a journey 14 years in the making. Where to start? Let us start from the beginning.
In 2008 we had just moved to the area, and I was homeschooling 3 children. The last thing I was thinking about was creating a business. I was, however, looking to earn a little to help with our household income. I couldn’t work outside of our home due to my disabilities from Multiple Sclerosis (& later Lupus). I tried to find work online. However, in 2008, it was still difficult to find legitimate work-from-home opportunities. Therefore, I decided to look in the local paper and soon began providing Virtual Assistant and Lead Generation services to a local insurance agent. It wasn’t long before his colleagues asked for my number, and the business started growing.
I had decided that if I began to have enough work to share, I wanted to help empower other disabled professionals to work from home. Later, we also added team members who were mothers of disabled children because they needed work-from-home opportunities too. This is how our Virtual Assistant Agency was built. Later, we transitioned into a Small Boutique Digital Marketing Agency once we had taken appropriate courses and certifications. Our clients were growing and in need of marketing help, and if we could do it we wanted to be able to help them. I also truly enjoyed many aspects of digital marketing, as did our team. In 2017 I began to realize how much I enjoyed helping entrepreneurs 1 on 1 by coaching them. That is when I began my coaching company while also running my agency. Then, at the end of 2020, I exited the digital agency to fully embrace business & marketing coaching full time (with online instruction & speaking).
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. I always tell my clients that “business is a journey, not a sprint.” That journey can be very windy with valleys and mountain tops. I certainly I had many in my business journey. There were times when a client went in a different direction and I had to find a new one to replace them. I have also had to ‘fire’ a client because he was so controlling and verbally abusive toward me. He also treated me as if I were an employee rather than another business owner who partnered with him to help his business. That was one of the most difficult lessons I learned.
All business owners have difficult seasons in their businesses. I nearly quit a few years into my business. I was low on clients and I didn’t know if I should keep doing it. I had to really do some soul searching to determine if I should continue to do this. My faith has truly helped me in my life and business, so this is how I finally felt peace and believed this was what I was supposed to do. I’m so glad I did not quit after those first few years because right after that, I was able to really build the VA Agency and then transition to digital marketing. (moved this sentence from last sentence in next paragraph b/c it fits better here)
Another difficulty for me is balancing my disability with my work life. Living with MS and Lupus is a challenge while building a successful business. Sometimes, I had to push through or rely on my great team. I would love to inspire and tell others not to give up – because it is worth it! It truly gives me a sense of purpose to help other business owners start and grow their service-based businesses. I would tell others to hang in there, work hard, and continue learning because the industry constantly changes.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Fearless Business Boss?
Fearless Business Boss is a coaching company. I am a business and marketing coach who helps service-based women business owners start, grow, and scale their businesses. I use proven steps and methods to help them achieve their goals. Clients go through one of my 3 to 6-month programs where I walk them step-by-step with 1-on-1 coaching sessions and even a little virtual hand-holding included when needed. I try to make it easy, affordable, and while providing clarity & proven steps to help them move forward. I think it is often so confusing online today so through my programs clients get to have me virtually walk alongside them step-by-step through each part of the journey. There are so many programs out there that cost thousands and tens of thousands of dollars making unrealistic promises. Yet many are pre-recorded without a person to help and certainly not 1-on-1 coaching.
We have all heard and know the most successful business owners have coaches, so most know they need a coach but are unsure where to turn or who to trust. I provide sessions twice monthly while also giving steps to follow. I believe our entire life influences our businesses, not just the 9 to 5 client work. Therefore, I think it is important to also get to the heart of anything that may be a sticking point while moving you forward in your business. I’ve been told that I am genuine, knowledgeable, and real while speaking from my heart. I speak the truth with kindness and help you make any positive changes you may need. I do this because I want to help my clients move forward in their business and meet their goals. In the end, I often become friends with my clients – I enjoy seeing their journey – and I’m truly invested in their success. I am always amazed at my clients as they move forward in their business goals they gain courage, confidence, and conviction for what they are doing. I also still love helping other disabled professionals create successful businesses and empowering them to scale.
What does success mean to you?
This is a great question. I think we all have to learn to define success for ourselves. For some, that may mean earning over $500,000 or a million. For others, working part-time to bring in a little to help their household while being home with their children is enough. Defining success took several years for me to understand and have peace about. It looks different today than it did years ago. Today, I define success as being able to work from bed when needed, help the amazing clients I work with and love, while earning enough to pay bills, and go on a cruise once or twice a year. That is the definition of success for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fearlessbusinessboss.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/fearlessbusinessboss
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/fearlessbusinessboss
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/fearlessbizboss
