Tamika’s Story

As an award-winning TV journalist, I understand the power of a well-told story.

Tamika’s Story

Get to know me

I’m an award-winning journalist who painstakingly walked away from the thing I worked so hard for — my career in local TV news. I quit the business in 2014 with no job and no idea what I was going to do next.

By accident, I turned my love of telling stories into a full-time business. On purpose, I run a video and content marketing agency who tells visual stories for health & happiness brands.

How it started

Growing up, I wanted to be a detective. I’d write my own murder mysteries and would gladly choose to watch Dateline or 48 Hours over cartoons. Once I realized the path to solving crimes requires rookie overnights on patrol, I passed up that career path for one that would still scratch my investigative itch.

Get to know me

I'm an award-winning journalist who painstakingly walked away from the thing I worked so hard for — my career in local TV news. I quit the business in 2014 with no job and no idea what I was going to do next.

By accident, I turned my love of telling stories into a full time business. On purpose, I run a content marketing agency who tells visual stories for health & happiness brands.

How it started

Growing up, I wanted to be a detective. I'd write my own murder mysteries, and would gladly choose to watch Dateline or 48 Hours over cartoons. Once I realized the path to solving crimes requires rookie overnights on patrol, I passed up that career path for one that would still scratch my investigative itch.

Slide

“I’ve always had a curious and investigative nature, which is a necessary skill for a journalist and storyteller.”

I became a TV Journalist.

I picked up a camera, a mic, and started writing and editing a video for the first time, as a student at the University of Miami. (Go CANES!) Telling visual stories fit like a glove. From an internship I fought hard to get at CNN Los Angeles, to reporting for the CBS affiliate in Montgomery, AL, and then pounding the pavement in Miami, FL for WPLG-TV, I’ve told thousands of stories on every topic imaginable. I’ve interviewed presidential candidates, civil rights leaders, celebrities, athletes, everyday people, and the list goes on.

What I didn’t love was the news business. The schedule. The 24-hour news cycle. The difficult-to-tell stories. The anxiety.

Slide

“I love to tell the stories of people, places, and organizations that often go untold. I didn’t always get that opportunity in local TV news.”

I was missing meaning.

So, I pulled the plug on my lifelong career and started something new. I became the storyteller, video creator, communications guru, and marketer for nonprofits and local government agencies.

It was during this time that my first-ever client asked me to produce a video for them. I said YES.

Slide

“I never predicted my business would move from a side hustle to a full-time business, but life had other plans for me."

TB Media Group Was Born -- As my side hustle.

I didn’t know it at the time, but having a side hustle was a blessing in disguise. A couple of full-time jobs later, I got laid off. I had a handful of clients and no backup plan. My accidental side hustle became full-time entrepreneurship.

In two short years, TB Media Group grew from a team of two and less than five clients, to a team of eight and over 30 clients served.

Work With Us

My Health & Happiness Story

When I was laid off in the fall of 2018, it was the cherry on top of the banana split sundae I was devouring at the time.

During the prior year and a half, a number of life-changing events rocked my world. From a home damaging hurricane, to a fall from my roof that landed me in surgery, then the end of my long-term relationship, and most painful - the sudden death of my 8-year-old cousin.

I felt scared. I felt defeated. I was also in pain. I was facing debilitating autoimmune symptoms that prevented me from walking, and I was a healthy 30-year-old – or so I thought. In the middle of this storm, I wasn't sure that I could build a business that was, up until then, a leisurely side hustle.

I was right. I could never find success if I was sick and miserable. Health and happiness are a requirement to build a business, prosperity, connection, and community. I had to work on myself first, and when I did, everything else fell into place.

I share more about this story on Episode 1 of my podcast Lift U Up, Flipping the Script: From TV Reporter to Entrepreneur.

Titles I'm Proud to Wear

Hover over the images to learn more

Journalist

Even though I’m not actively working in the field of journalism, it was the foundation of my career. Journalism turned me into the storyteller I am today. I believe, once a journalist, always a journalist.

Entrepeneur

Building TB Media Group from scratch is one of the things I’m most proud of, even if it was all an accident to start. Founder. CEO. Boss Lady. I answer to all of the above.

spokesperson

For the brands who trust my voice to represent their brand, it’s an honor. I love holding this responsibility and have a ton of fun doing it!

cat mom

Sky turned me into a cat person from the day I picked him up at just 4 weeks old. He always seems to know when I need a laugh, a cuddle, or a break from work. I’m proud to be his human.

Daughter

My mom is my best friend. She’s also the most energetic and organized person I know, which is why she’s also our administrator. Glad to be her daughter, and I’ll tell you, she’s hard to keep up with!

Meeks

My closest friends call me “Meeks." But my friends who know me really well -- know I’m able to fall asleep wherever and whenever, so “Sleepy Meeks” is also a fit.