Tammy Durden
Tammy Durden is a Business Coach, helping Women Online Service Business Owners to Create and grow a business that fits their lifestyle.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
I grew up in a home with serial entrepreneurs. I think perhaps that it was in my DNA. Although they eventually went the corporate route I saw the freedom and struggles with being a business owner. Later, when I was in the corporate lifestyle I felt the pull of independence especially after I had my first child as I never went back to the corporate world. It would be many years before I dipped my toes into my own entrepreneurial journey. I think the years of parenting, corporate experience, as well as, my parent’s business journey helped me as I moved into building my own businesses.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business /initiative? What motivated you within to say YES, go for it!”*
I’ve always been a self-starter and motivator, however, in 2008 when we were blessed to purchase our home, additional family income was needed.
Another factor that pushed me to develop my own business was that I had also become disabled due to Multiple Sclerosis and could not work outside of the home.
These two things pushed me to discover opportunities to provide services and skills I had to those who needed them online. It also pushed me to continue educating myself so I could provide other and better services to my clients.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
I would love to see more areas accessible for disabled persons worldwide. My husband and I love to go on cruises, but there are so many excursions that I am unable to do simply because it is not accessible to me. I get to do some things but I would truly love to see more accessible areas so that everyone is able to enjoy this amazing world we live in.
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
I think women leaders have always been here; they simply were not as seen. They were and are the backbone of society. They were the mothers teaching their children to be leaders, they served in the PTAs and organized events, they were the women encouraging their families to do better and want more good. They have always been there but I’m so glad the world is recognizing and seeing them out front today. I hope we continue to break through more of that glass and develop life changing, eye-opening, new businesses that change the world!
What’s the most important thing you have learned in your personal life and professional journey? What is your personal motto in life?
I CAN Do All Things Through Christ Jesus Who Strengthens Me! (Phil 4:13) I truly believe God has given me this business and gives me the opportunities to share HIm with others as well as help me continue day to day. It’s not always easy but it is rewarding.
With your grit and determination, you are making a considerable impact, breaking through, and serving as role models for many budding entrepreneurs. What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
Never give up! There have been times when I ‘felt’ like giving up and questioned myself. Remember your ‘WHY’ and keep fighting. Sure, take a day to replenish but get back in there because the next client is around the corner and desperately needs you!