We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Tashina Reeder and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Tashina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

My thought process of starting my own business centered around my desire to make an impact in the lives of others and having the creative freedom to build a legacy for my nephews, claim my time back, and to create the life I desired to live in harmony with myself.

Through my life experiences of drama and trauma and years of working in addiction and community behavioral health, I grew concerned with the lack of trauma-informed practices and insensitivity among professionals and common folk. My desire to establish a clinical practice and an empowerment platform was grounded in the core belief that complete healing takes place through transparency and authenticity. As a result, I created holistic services to teach, treat, and inspire individuals to unleash their greatness to achieve a purposeful life of self-love, abundance, and success. There is power in the bounce back from life’s hardships.

I understood that becoming a business owner would bring various challenges, accomplishments, and criticisms; however, my desire to walk in my purpose was greater and worth the investment and sacrifice to serve others. My philosophy rests on the belief that we can collectively speak life into others’ lives. I am in the business of promoting personal growth and healing to equip the lives of today with the tools to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

What should our readers know about your business?

What sets you apart from others?

There are many great coaches, therapists, business owners, etcetera, out there in the world, and we all offer something unique and meaningful. As for me, what sets me apart is my use of transparency and comfort with vulnerability to connect with others on a deep emotional level with compassion.  My clinical training and personal experiences has equipped me to offer transformative services.

How did you get to where you are today business-wise. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?

As a person impacted by various adversities, I witnessed firsthand how life experiences can rob you of your confidence and leave you feeling insecure, ashamed, powerless, hopeless,  emotionally stuck, and fearful to pursue dreams because of the opinions and judgments from others. Regardless of what I tried to do to resolve my seemingly never-ending issues, I hid and settled. I hid behind fear, passing up on my dreams, blessings, and opportunities. In essence, I was normalizing living beneath my potential despite my accomplishments.

Can you relate??

I grew tired of being tired. I could no longer silence the burning desire to become a better me. I actively participated in my healing process under a therapist’s care to help me manifest a healed version of myself from the inside out. After some time during my self-discovery journey, my confidence evolved. I was Manifesting Her! The “HER” that I dreamed of becoming.

I took massive action! I wrote the vision and made it plain, as the saying goes. I followed my action plan and started to walk the walk in my entrepreneurial journey because I believed deep inside that I had the solution to someone else’s problem. Becoming a business owner was easy to establish on paper, but a challenge to grow in profits in the first few years of business. I needed business savviness and business-mindedness to properly run a profitable, sustainable business.

I remember having a standard operation procedure (SOP) manual created and was later told, “Once you stop treating your business like a hobby, this manual will work in your favor as your blueprint to abundant success.” That one statement changed the game. It was a jolt to my misinformed understanding of having a business. That comment caused me to shift how I saw myself as a business owner and how I treated my business.

At that moment, I realized that there were a lot of things that I did not understand. But what I knew and understood was that I needed to invest in myself on a high level with people who were already game changers in their field and were doing the work I aspired to do.

I have grown leaps and bounds in my business acumen. I obtained several coaches and attended several masterminds and conferences. I invested at a high level which was uncomfortable at first, but I was worth the investment. As a result, I have connected with a network of like-minded individuals and have been blessed with many opportunities as a speaker, author, and coach.

What are you most proud of and excited about?

I am  very proud of myself and excited about many things. There was a time in my life when I did not believe I would survive. I didn’t believe in my capabilities. I am a Black woman with a passion for life who achieved many great things but didn’t know my worth because I once perceived myself as unlovable, unworthy, and inadequate due to varying life circumstances.

Once I said yes to myself and began making shift happen in my mind, body, and spirit. I discovered who I had been all along, a queen. Fearfully and wonderfully made. There is life after trauma!

I found purpose from all the hell I have experienced. As a result of my ongoing healing, personal, and professional growth, I accomplished the following:

In 2016, I organized a Women’s Retreat to Nassau, Bahamas, and Self-Discovery Workshops in South Carolina, and Philadelphia. In 2020, Transparency Talk with Tashina Talk Show was birthed, hosting guests who share transparently to discuss real-life issues to offer hope, education, and liberation.

In 2021, I launched a coaching business for women called Manifesting Her! Academy, under Dr. Tashina Reeder, LLC. Using my education, clinical experience, life experiences, and skill sets, I help women manifest the “HER” within to break through emotional roadblocks and maximize their skill sets to achieve success in life and business.

In 2022, I was featured in Success Women’s Magazine, Tap-in Magazine, and The Herpreneur Magazine this year as one of the top 100 influential women in business. I was the recipient of the Dr. Sonja Stribling Trailblazer Award and spoke on various global stages, including the Women’s Success Conference, The Comeback Champion Summit, The HIV Prevention & Education Summit, and Shawn Fair’s Leadership Experience Tour sponsored by the Forbes Coaching Council. I also published my  first solo book titled Manifesting Her!: 7 Strategies to Redefine Your Identity After Trauma, Build Big Confidence, & Cultivate Self-Love, and completed an international book tour in Trinidad.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First, my guest and I would hit up all the food spots with good drinks daily, beginning with a good ole Philly Cheesesteak. I would then introduce my guest to all the Philly favorite jawns like Peanut Chews, Philly Pretzel Factory, and Rita’s Water Ice. I would then plan out the nightlife in Philly by attending a live jazz show with dinner at the City Winery or South Restaurant & Jazz Club, catching a show at The MET Philadelphia, or a comedy show at Punch Line Philly. I would then take them on a tour to visit the Benjamin Parkway to see the Philadelphia Art Museum, where the infamous steps where Rocky was filmed. I would then end the tour by visiting the parkway where the streets are lined with flags representing every country and island around the world. I would definitely provide a memorable visit to Philadelphia.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m forever thankful to God and my village of support. During the hellish moments of my life, my mother, Denise; my sister, Tamotra; and my nephews, AJ and Tyler, were my safe space, cheerleaders, and comedic relief. Rev Carmena Pyfrom and my village of sister-friends were my confidants, prayer warriors, and comfort. Many other folks to thank as well.

Team Over Time and Traci’s Bio are two cancer organizations in Philadelphia that helped me to navigate the insidious disease of cancer. Indeed, their services and attentiveness were lifesaving for me and many others.

As I was beginning to heal in mind, body, and spirit, I decided to invest in myself to sharpen my skill set and business acumen by learning the mechanics of public speaking, coaching, and authorship.

I have been coached by the best and am thankful for Dr. Sonja Stribling, Shawn Fair, Dr. Cheryl Woods, Dr. Dorothy Wilson, and Che Brown.

Website: www.drtashinareeder.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtashinareeder/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tashina-reeder-ph-d-lsw-a2b71269/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtashinareeder

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT5VivUD4blr0LmOL1eMBAA

Image Credits
Photography: Emma Burcusel/Emma Burcusel Photography Jason Woodson/JaySkillz Photography Book Cover Design: Sheergenius (Fiverr)

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