Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamika Bickham.
Tamika, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started my career as a journalist working in local TV news. I always had a passion for writing and storytelling, and I’d say I’m particularly good at taking complex information and communicating it in a simple, clear way that a broad audience can understand. I also have a curious and investigative nature, which is a necessary skill for a journalist, so it was a natural fit.
After I graduated from the University of Miami, I got a job as a reporter working for the CBS affiliate in Montgomery, Alabama, where I covered state politics, college football, crime, and even had the opportunity to go undercover for a few long format, documentary-style stories. After two years there, I had the opportunity to move back to South Florida and work for WPLG, Miami’s local ABC affiliate, where I had also interned in college. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity to be back in familiar territory working alongside incredible professionals who I had gotten to know personally and professionally over the years.
After two years of reporting in this fast-paced market, I decided I wanted to make a change and pursue what I always knew was in my heart, documentary-style storytelling and content creation. Local news, no matter the market, does not really allow for a lot of creativity, quality storytelling, or in-depth reporting, which were all things I desperately craved at the time. I also knew I could make a positive impact helping organizations tell their stories, instead of feeling like I was only reporting negative news.
So at first, I did some freelance public relations but ended up working in nonprofit arts over the following four years, truly living a creative person’s dream, creating video and social media content for the New World Symphony and then the City of Miramar’s Cultural Center. At this time, I really honed my storytelling and content creation skills and broadened my skill set to include all things marketing and communications…and I started my business, TB Media Group, on the side.
I never predicted my business would move from a side hustle to a full-time business, but life had other plans for me and pushed me in this direction. I’m glad it did!
Has it been a smooth road?
Absolutely not! But hey, that makes it all the more rewarding.
As I mentioned, life had other plans for me. In the Fall of 2018, I was laid off from my full-time job with the City of Miramar, which really came as a total shock. It was one of the most stressful times of my life. I had about three months to prepare, which was really nothing, and I had no idea what I was going to do. My saving grace was that I had been really busy with clients in 2018. I had about four consistent clients I was working with in addition to my full-time job and multiple streams of revenue, so I had a little cushion in the bank.
I applied for a few jobs, ramped up my networking, and did a little soul searching, but all signs led me to full-time entrepreneurship. I had no intention of making the jump myself while working full time, even though I got to the point where I was working 90-100 hour weeks, so I figured this was my opportunity. This was life showing me the direction I should be taking.
Of course, those first few months of full-time entrepreneurship were the hardest. There were several challenges, but I’d say the biggest were cash flow, juggling multiple responsibilities, learning the basics of starting a business and time management. There will always be challenges in business, but without those challenges you wouldn’t have growth. Right now, I’m grateful to say that the challenges I have are finding the right team and scaling, which are more exciting challenges!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
TB Media Group is an award-winning storytelling and content marketing agency. We specialize in creating story-driven video content. We are also copywriters, bloggers, and digital marketers whose focus is always to help you find your “why”.
There are a lot of marketing agencies out there and a lot of talented videographers and digital content creators, but I will say the majority of clients I attract, work with me and stay with me because they want to improve their narrative, their story. A lot of brands push out aesthetically pleasing content, whether that’s a sexy video or a beautiful graphic, but oftentimes, they don’t have a strong story that is being told consistently across all of their communication channels. I help them identify what their unique story is, craft the narrative, and create the content needed to share that story.
I would say I’m most proud of the nonprofit work we’ve done. That is the niche I started working in when I first started my business four years ago. We’ve worked with several nonprofit organizations who we’ve helped win grants with our narrative, fundraise large amounts of money, and increase awareness for their cause because of their story. But, over the last year we’ve started to work with small business owners, and it’s surprised me how rewarding that has been, as well. Ultimately, we all have a story and you don’t have to be a charity to have a powerful one that appeals to the emotions of your audience. So, I’d also say it’s extremely rewarding when a small business owner realizes what makes them so unique, owns that story, and really embraces it in a way that grows their business. I love when I see that light bulb go off and they realize the power of storytelling! So fun!
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Wow. That’s a tough question! I’d say yes and no. Yes, because everyone needs some degree of marketing regardless of what industry they are in or what type of business they have. There are a lot of businesses here in South Florida, so I don’t think there’s any shortage of business opportunities to go around. I will say it’s not easy. The market is also saturated with consultants and agencies who create content and offer marketing services. It all boils down to relationships, and the trust, authority, and credibility you have in your field. I have an established network here in South Florida. I’ve lived here on and off since 2006 and people still remember me from local TV news, which has helped my business grow. Someone who has no established network here can have success, it’s just probably going to take a little longer.
Contact Info:
- Website: tbmediagroup.com
- Phone: 786-350-8395
- Email: info@tb-media-group.com
- Instagram: @tamikabickhamtv
- Facebook: /TBMediaGroup
- Twitter: @tamikabickhamtv
- Other: /TamikaBickham (LinkedIn)
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