Meet Tammie Polk

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tammie Polk and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tammie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
There wasn’t a second thought of starting Beautiful Butterflies Transitioning, Inc back in 2019 after years of doing the work prior to. I made a vow back in 2012 after leaving an unhealthy partnership of 18 years that I would become the woman I needed during the time I transitioned out of that marriage. I vowed to be a listening ear to hear the needs of the women that have been traumatized; share my experience; offer resources; and make any referrals as necessary. Growing up I saw first-hand how abuse affected the women I loved. Even as the younger one I always felt the need to “protect them” no matter what. I have always known that helping build women up was my love and passion. I love what I do and wouldn’t change it for the world. I am an overcomer!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
BBT Inc is a nonprofit helping women in and outside of the community to escape the trauma of bad relationships. We do our best to leave no stone unturned. We love to partner with others in the community and even across state lines to help women get a start to a new life we are all deserving of. I am excited about helping the next woman realize her purpose and see her blossom and fly like the beautiful butterfly that she is. I got where I am today by Gods’ grace! He placed people in my life that encouraged me and wouldn’t allow me to be mediocre! I found out the importance of having a circle that cheers you on, but also will chin-check you if necessary. A circle that will pray for you when you cannot form the words out of your own mouth. A circle that will push you and pull you into spaces and places they know you belong but may have self-doubt at first. It was challenging but that is apart of life. We learn and grow from each challenge that prepares us for the next test that comes our way. I can say that because of having a praying mother, a great family, an amazing circle I have kept the faith and refuse to quit! I have been faced with many life challenges that would break many people and cause them to outright give up. But God! He has done a great work through me which has transitioned to the work I am committed to with BBT Inc as well as Tammie Polk Ministries! What I want the world to know about me is that when I die, I would have fulfilled the promise and given everything God gave me for His people and left no stones unturned in getting there.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My BFF is my sister, and she lives in San Antonio currently but if my other good friend comes into town from Connecticut, the first place I would take her when she lands is to Aunt Irene’s. They have some of the best Seafood and other choices on their menu. And those Crack cookies are off the chain, and I won’t even mention the sweet tea because that deserves a highlight of its own! Lol. After we have eaten lunch, we would go to the Airbnb because what other way to experience life! After getting settled, the first night it would be solely a girl’s night in just so that we can chat and allow her time to rest to get ready for what’s to come! Next morning, we would visit Dream Café because of those fluffy pancakes with strawberries and the chicken and waffles are to die for! We’d have to stop by the mall to walk off some of what we just ate. Dip back to the Airbnb to relax chit-chat and get refreshed to a night out on the town. Our dinner stop would be none other than Kitchen + Kocktails for a nice taste of their salmon bites, lobster mac-n-cheese, sweet potato fries, collard greens, southern fried chicken and top it all off with that banana pudding. After this we would go back and watch a few episodes of the latest Love is Blind or Chicago Fire….lol Next morning we would actually stay in for breakfast, I would call in Norma’s Café because I just love their biscuits and gravy! We’d talk and then go into a session because she’s also my Life Coach and visiting anytime there will be a session….lol afterwards, we would head over to none other than Kendal Karsen’s a fellow Roosevelt High School graduate establishment and sit and chat while eating a good meal. Afterwards, we would head to the White Rock area and visit the Botanical Garden so that we could experience the ambiance of the beautiful butterflies as we walk and chat and just enjoy the outdoors. Since we would be on that side of town already, our dinner spot is right across the street at Smoky Rose. Next day, I would allow her to google the hottest spots so that we could go. We would skip breakfast altogether and then head to wherever she found for us to hang because it’s always important to make sure we had one free day of choosing the places they’d like to go. Day after that, I would do the honors and cook breakfast so that we can relax and talk about life and what our next events are going to be. I’m sure we’d nap after that lavish breakfast then wake up and get dressed and head to Wingsnob in Frisco, Texas owners are non-other than my great niece and her husband the Hornes! While out that way, we would have to stop by Allen Premium Outlets and visit a few stores to check out the new purses and shoes. We would end that wonderful night by relaxing back at the Airbnb with chilled mocktails, a few other girlfriends, and it would be game night! We are very competitive so no telling how this night will end but I will always hope for the best! Lol Now, for her final day in D-Town, we would have breakfast at Bread Winners then head towards Fort Worth to catch the Rooftop Movie night then head back to the Airbnb.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shoutout my mother, Martha Lee Polk! She has always been a giver and I never understood until I grew up and had children and a grandchild of my own. When she moved to Texas, she sacrificed a lot to help her family be successful. She is a retired beautician that was forced into retirement to enjoy the rest of her life and ever since then she has. She is now 90 years young and full of life! She was the first overcomer and continues to inspire all 9 of her children to keep God first in all that you do and everything else will come to you.

Website: bbutterflies.org

Instagram: bbutterfliestinc

Facebook: Beautiful Butterflies Transitioning, Inc

Image Credits
Personal Photo: Lauren Bethany Photography