Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs: Tameka Williamson, Founder of Celestial & Associates!

There are a number of women entrepreneurs out there who have built successful businesses -- often, one dollar at a time. Let us salute them!

Tameka gives us a brief description of her business and shares what inspires her:

Business

Celestial and Associates Consulting provides Coaching, Consulting and Training Solutions at a “Small Business” rate using simple six-sigma and leadership tools to position individuals, businesses and organizations to better optimize their resource and become a sustainable entity. As a company, we are focused on helping others exceed and excel in their goals.  That is why we take pride in bringing out the champion in people and businesses, by helping them identify the hidden treasures that can propel them to a level where they operate more Effectively, Efficiently and with Excellence.

Inspiration

When I was a little girl, I had dreams of starting my own business. At that time, I wanted to be one of the few female owners of an engineering firm in the US, along with a Salon & Spa and a Hotel.  Well, life doesn't always go the way we plan. I didn't get my Ph.D. in Engineering, but I did get my MBA.  So, that propelled my career from engineering into senior management. On this journey, I realized one of my passions was helping to develop people and businesses. I got excited from adding value and turning challenges into success stories. As a Lean Six-Sigma Black Belt, I got excited every time I saved money and added to the bottom line. With that excitement and love for the small business owner, I wanted to apply those same principles and help businesses without the access to trained operational professionals or the knowledge on how to improve the operational outlook of their business or the available resources.

Building my business on the side while continuing to climb the corporate ladder was the plan, but God had something different in mind.  I encountered two lay-offs in 3 years or what I classify as "my promotions from corporate America." The first lay-off, I published my first book. With my last lay-off, it was time to give 100% to building out my business. This is where I am now.  In terms of obstacles, I am navigating around the economic challenges and working to get in front of the right business owners who understand the value and need the service so I can retain them as a client.

Building a business is not an easy task. As I remain persistent and encourage other leaders to pursue their passion and let the money follow, more doors begin to open up for me.  Plus, it's an added bonus to have accountability partners and mentors to coach you along the way. So, I look at it like this. I can either work tirelessly for my own vision and establish a legacy that outlives me or go back into the corporate rat race and potentially end up back in a lay-off situation.  You never know what you can do if you never try.  Besides, failure is never an option so I have nothing to lose.  This, along with my faith is what keeps me going every day and I'm enjoying every moment.

• Spark & Hustle: What Got You Started?
• Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs: Monika MacIntyre, Founder of Checkmark Concierge!
• Balance: Does It Exist?

Read about more women entreprenuers with that special Spark and Hustle!