Sistahbiz Spotlight on Tamala Austin

Author of Love My Body Again: 21-Day Meditation to Create Your Best Body Now and a certified health coach, Austin created J.I.V.E. Juice to provided organic cold-pressed fruit juices and smoothies to support a healthy lifestyle. She turned to juicing, nutrition, meditation and exercise following a diagnosis of high blood pressure, eventually launching a growing juice delivery service throughout the Houston metro.

What’s The #1 Piece Of Advice You Have For Black Women Starting New Businesses?

Define your business and your brand and commit to it – everything you do should be consistent with your business’s identity. You simply cannot be all things to all people.

What Is Your Morning Routine?

Spending quality time to myself in meditation and quietness.

How Did You Acquire The Necessary Capital Required To Scale Your Business And Get To This Level?

Currently, all of my necessary capital is coming from myself. Do not be afraid to use your personal funds, 401K etc to finance your dream.

Has Your Product/Service Gone Through Iterations And Changes? What Was Your Strategy For Learning From Customers And Improving The Product?

We have made changes with logos and branding to better position ourselves amongst our competition. Making sure that we stand out.

Tell Us About Your First Big Deal And How You Achieved It? (This Can Be A Retail Distribution Deal, Large-Scale Contract, Sponsorship Or Funding Round)

My first big deal was when I got a call that Whole Foods was interested in having my product in the new store they were opening in Houston. Because I already had things in place, the transition was not bad. Be ready because you never know who’s watching you.

If You Can Share One Message To Inspire Black Women In Business, What Would It Be?

If you have a dream, do it. Don’t allow fear to steal your dreams. Oftentimes, as women we want to have every detailed worked out and know the beginning to the end. Sometimes, you just have to jump and allow the pieces to fall in place.

What Area Of Your Business Did You Have The Least Experience In When You Started? How Did You Handle The Learning Curve And Ensure The Business Succeeded In That Area?

Manufacturing and production, I reached out to someone who was already doing it. When you don’t know, ask!

What Advice Do You Have For Women Trying To Cross Cultural Lines To Grow Their Business? Can You Speak To This From Both A Race And Class Perspective?

Networking is the key to crossing cultural lines. You have to make sure that your marketing/advertising accommodates all races. And that the problem you’re trying to solve is not subjected to just one race.

How Have Relationships Impacted Your Business? What Advice Would You Give Entrepreneurs About How To Manage Business Relationships? What Relationship Skills Are Most Important For Business Success?

In business and in life, you have to work closely with others to build your way to success. Your relationships should be about valuable, be able to share advice and learn from each other.

Can You Tell Us About A Great Failure Or Disappointment That You Learned Or Benefited Greatly From In Your Business?

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s ok to delegate the work. You can not do everything!

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