Who or what inspired you to start your business?
Secretly, I’ve always wanted to be in business for myself. Look up Type-A personality, and it’s likely that you will find me there.
Even with all that Type-A ambition and drive, I didn’t know where in the world to begin my life as an entrepreneur, nor which one of my many talents would actually turn a profit. So, I did what most have done; I went to college, earned a degree, and sought employment — until I figured things out.
After obtaining a Bachelor degree in Business Management with a minor in Marketing, I gained considerable business experience through various positions in both corporate and high-end retail. In a span of 12 years, I held positions as a business administrator, executive assistant, marketing coordinator, team lead, and office manager.
After giving my all at an office job, I was let go in 2015. I couldn’t believe it at first, but once I cleared my head – being laid off was a blessing in disguise.
A business bestie and I had actually invested in a start-up called Posh Life Enterprise back in 2014. The company was bringing in a “tiny” profit by providing services to our first client, Drumma Boy; American producer, rapper, composer, and philanthropist. Although my biz bestie and I parted ways, I continued on and spent much of my time researching and educating myself on lucrative industries, building a website, and seeking out ways to further advertise my business.
In hindsight, with more than a decade of corporate administrative, marketing, and consumer-relations experience under my “clutch,” I was being prepared to manage a business on my own. I’ve since learned to “trust the process!”
The Posh Organization is now a bustling virtual assistant staffing agency serving businesses across the nation.
“Who would have thought that my proclivity for organization would lead me to my passion to help others get organized?!”
What was your biggest struggle when starting out?
The Posh Organization started out as a Professional Organizing company, which offered other personal assistant services. I must add that my gift of organizing was something that came quite naturally to me. In 2015, professional organizing was still a relatively new concept to some. But even with referral on top of referral, business was relatively slim.
After an in-office organizing and training session with a client, I recognized another need in the small business industry. That is when I changed my focus and re-positioned my services and approach to business. Realizing my potential and the need for virtual business services throughout diverse industries, growth has been imminent, but not without challenges.
Entrepreneurship is hard. At times, it’s nothing like all the beautifully appointed branded images that you see across the world wide web. There is no cutoff. There is no differentiating yourself from your business. Essentially, you become a business. Your every move, your every post, to who you surround yourself with, it all affects your business and its potential for success. Finding the balance is what all entrepreneurs are seeking.
Additionally, I struggled with finding my target audience. When you first start out in business, you accept all who are willing to pay you. I quickly learned that that is the wrong approach. All clients aren’t good clients. Growing client experiences and relationship building is essential and a key component to a service-based business.
Now, I have a very targeted client-base. I only accept clients that I find synergy with and whole-hardheartedly believe in their brand, products and/or services. This allows us to better serve their needs and mutual fulfillment is no longer a worry.
What’s the #1 thing you attribute to growing your business?
My passion for helping people and my undeniable consistency. I am totally over working for “the man”, and will work 80 hours a week just to avoid working 40 for someone else.
What’s your favorite music to listen to when you’re creating graphics?
I am an old school music lover at heart. But there is nothing like trap or club music to get you inspired to create.
How do you decide on what images to use for your brand?
My number one objective is to stay within the same (or as close as possible) specific color story. Next I select images that reflect me as a person. Much like my target audience, I am hopeful that those same images resonate. I also seek out images that have plenty of whitespace and or that are neutral in color so that they fit almost anywhere.
How has Haute Stock helped you in your business?
Haute Stock has been a lifesaver!! I absolutely love the variation of images and have designed my entire website utilizing my membership to develop my brand story. I also use their images on social media to help me to further engage with my followers.
I have tried other stock photography memberships, but have found myself very underwhelmed. Back to Haute Stock I went! They are certainly a mainstay investment for my business.
What’s Your Favorite Haute Stock Collection?
How do I choose?? My absolute favorites are Classic Workday, Spots & Stripes and Coffee Shop. If you visit my website, you will certainly find images from each of these collections.
But I love the following collections as well: Modern Femme, Home Office, and Collab Workday.
What has been your biggest business lesson learned?
Authenticity is key. So often we compare ourselves to others, and may even try to emulate them in hopes to make ourselves or our businesses look better. It’s important to keep in mind that your story is different and important. Maintaining focus on being authentically you will help you further connect to your intended audience while setting you apart from others within your industry.
There is room enough for us all to be successful. Be genuine and clap for others.
My mantra: collaboration over competition. When one of us wins, we all win. #Yaaas Sis!
Tyra Johnson Brown
is the Founder & CEO behind The Posh Organization, a Virtual Executive Assistant Service hub, created from her passion for organizing in combination with an arsenal of skills in consumer relations, content development, business administration, marketing, and time management.
