I was interviewed by Kim Jacobs last month for launch of Affirmations for a Woman on a Mission Journal I co-authored. The conversation quickly shifted to importance of having a marketing strategy and what that looks like for someone without a team!
Take a listen below. If you’re short on time start at 21:31!
Tonya Cross, Strategypreneur™ Coach
Empowering People With KnowledgeBack in the 90’s I started hosting monthly bible studies in my home for the mothers with young children in my neighborhood. At the time, I had two young daughters under the age of five. It was an opportunity to meet other women in my new neighborhood and have adult engagement and conversation. I truly enjoyed the bonding experience with other mothers. The conversations expanded beyond our faith; we shared our hopes, dreams and desires in the small intimate setting of my living room.
Needless to say, the word got out to other women outside my neighborhood. Some of them decided they wanted to host similar monthly meetings in their community too. I began creating monthly lesson plans for us that were relevant and life applicable. The interest and participating women grew to the point where we were able to host our first retreat at a local conference center. All along I’m getting hands on experience with creating curriculums, facilitating discussions, and developing event planning skills.
God laid on my heart to make our community meeting groups official. I took the necessary steps and met the requirements to become a women’s organization. Over the years my organization has evolved and shifted focus, but my purpose to educate, encourage, and enlighten has always remained the same.
A small meeting of mothers in my living room many years ago was instrumental in who I have become today.
In 2013, I launched my brand Accented Glory. Accented Glory is a handcrafted women’s fashion accessory brand. My specialty is natural hair accessory and Afrocentric jewelry designs. In the beginning, I had no knowledge of managing an e-commerce brand or digital marketing. But what I did know was that if I was going to have any level of success with my brand, I needed to learn about both fast. E-commerce and digital marketing is a world that’s constantly changing. With that being said; I’m always learning!
I also had friends who decided to pursue their passions after forty and weren’t too tech savvy either. So, I created a community for us where I basically share my experiences and lessons learned on my brand building journey. I share tips, advice, and resources that helps me manage my brand’s digital marketing. I also facilitate workshops for small business owners related to branding and marketing.
The online community that I manage is Digital Marketing On A Budget (DMOB). It’s a Facebook group that primarily consist of forty plus aged female entrepreneurs. We’re learning together how to navigate digital marketing and promoting our brands. In the group we have topic discussions and group challenges. I chronicle the steps I’m taking to market Accented Glory and invite my group members to join me and do the same. I show members how to utilize free and low cost marketing resources to promote their brands or organizations.
My organization is known as The Vine Events. My tag line is “Empowering People With Knowledge” and hashtag is #JoinShareLearn. Below is why and how this mindset shapes everything I do.
Join – Over the years I’ve learned how to bring people together, whether it’s in-person or online. I believe collective efforts are more effective when we’re invested in each other’s success.
Share – I believe everyone has something of value that they can bring to the table. I encourage group members and workshop participants to share. You never know who you may inspire or encourage.
Learn – No one knows it all and we can learn from each other. I’m a forever learner and open to new views and ideas. I also believe experience is the best teacher; which is why hands on active learning is a key component of my teaching methods.
I enjoy assisting others in reaching their fullest potential; it does my heart good. Would you like to be a part of my online community for entrepreneurs? I invite you to join us on Facebook! Click entrepreneurs online community to join.
Do you also enjoy helping others? Please share and post in comments ways you assist!
Tonya – Visionary of The Vine Events
February Topic – Product Launch
Digital Marketing On A Budget (DMOB) is my Facebook support group for entrepreneurs. We’re a group of forty plus aged women that are not too tech savvy! We are collectively navigating through digital marketing by sharing free and low cost marketing resources that are user friendly.
DMOB is kicking off 2019 with our February Topic Product Launch. Each week, we will focus on a single task to prep for a launch. We believe in taking “Baby Steps”. If you fit our group demographics, I invite you to join us by clicking here.
Tonya – Visionary of The Vine Events
The Vine Events – Vision Board Party 2019
It’s a party, it’s a party, it’s a PAR-TA…
One of my annual self-care practices is creating a vision board. A vision board is basically a visual representation of your intentions. I put mine up in my home office. It’s a reminder of what I want to accomplish and helps me refocus when I get off track.
On Sunday, February 3rd I will hosting a Vision Board Party! This will be a fun filled event that I’ll be facilitating. What makes my workshops unique is that you leave with a plan of action to accomplish your goal(s). After the workshop, there’s nothing to it, but to do it. Also, I provide all the supplies to create your vision board and snacks to get your creativity flowing. All you have to bring to the party is yourself! RSVP by purchasing your ticket before Wednesday, January 30th. Invest in yourself and your vision, because YOU ARE WORTH IT!
Tonya Cross – Visionary of The Vine Events
Date: Sunday, February 3rd
Time: 4 pm EST
Location: Westridge Place Apartments Clubhouse, 100 Donner Drive, Salisbury, NC (Directly behind Westend Plaza formerly known as Salisbury Mall)
Eventbrite Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vision-board-party-tickets-41292028569
**Limited space is available! Purchase your ticket(s) ASAP**
WOW…Can you believe the holiday season is upon us? The year is flying by and as entrepreneurs it’s time to prep for the “Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”. This month discussion topic in our Facebook group Digital Marketing On A Budget is #HolidayPrep!
This week in the group, we’re brainstorming about holiday marketing ideas! This is the beginning of creating an amazing holiday campaign. Each week I’m sharing a single task to complete by the end of the week. Our group members who participate will have a completed campaign by the end of October! Check out some of my ideas in graphic below.
Tonya – Visionary of The Vine Events and Accented Glory
#DMOB #FacebookGroup #DIYEntrepreneur #FemaleEntrepreneur #HolidayPrep #OctoberTopic #LetsDoThis
The Vine Events 