Tanesha Griffin is the co-founder and vice president of Casting Call Performing Arts Community Center. We spoke with her about why she chose this path to success, and how her skills help her to help others.
What inspires you to show up at work every day?
What inspires me to show up at work is our future — our children need us more than anything and to see the looks on their faces knowing that they are about to learn something new and enjoy every bit of it gives me hope and happiness.
How did you determine your career path?
For over ten years, I have been working with children from ages 0-15 years of age. From being a provider, a teacher, a co-teacher, and mentor. Once I had my own children, I knew that I wanted the best for them and needed to show them that there are positive people in the world that you can look up to so why not share that with other children. As the years went pass, the more children I met, the more I was able to talk to, be supportive, and make a difference.
Describe the skill sets that will be essential to future business leaders and innovators?
Future skill sets would be researching and planning for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs. Identifying problems and resources and solving them, as well as analyzing and defying the needs of children.
Define innovation methods you apply to your business and life.
When you define innovation, you’re defying an overall experience of your business and life. I would gradually bring in new things and see how the reaction would be. With my business, I will do an introduction, if the introduction is well then I will increase to one or two-day workshops that will eventually move to eight-week workshops. That goes on as well in my life. I would see how things will work out first and if it’s good then we will continue. First time for me always set the tone for the next.
How do you set goals and evaluate your success?
Some goal setting methods I use would be first describing what I want to achieve in life, figuring out the pros and cons of each goal I may have, then putting my mind to it and get it accomplished.
Names three books that changed how you saw life and you recommend to others?
One of my favorite books would be T.D.Jakes’ Reposition Yourself, my next book is Antoinette Tuff’s Prepared With a Purpose and my last book is The Power of Broke by Daymond John and Daniel Paisner.
Describe why lifelong learning is important to you.
Every day is a life lesson. Nothing is the same. Therefore, keeping yourself with knowledge is best. You can’t have enough! Lifelong learning is important each and every day because I am eager to learn as much as I can I am open to many opportunities that can enhance my business and make it better for the future.
What are the three most important factors of being a successful woman?
Three important factors of being a successful woman are always having that certain role model in your life to motivate you and keep you on the right path, mentoring is another important factor as well as using basic knowledge of education.
Technology plays what role in your daily life?
Technology plays a major role in my life. I say this because having a nonprofit organization, I have to continue to reach out to people, families, businesses etc. I have to be able to communicate with everyone as well as promote and request for grants, donations, etc. most help and support comes from technology.
What social media or digital tool has made the biggest difference in your life and why?
So far Facebook, Square and Legal Zoom have made a difference in my life. When I first started out we were clueless as to where to start. With Legal Zoom, they help and guided us through everything. Facebook has been a great tool to contact with everyone on the day-to-day basis and also get feedback. Sometimes people hear about our organization and want to donate, with Square they are able to with no hassle.
If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
Violence. It hurts my heart to see these young children loosing their lives over foolishness. I just wish it was something more I can do to help.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
If I can change one thing about myself it would be my shyness (haha) even though I have this business, my shyness will take over and stop me from building many new things!
Who or what motivates you and why?
Who motivates me? My mom and my kids. I grew up seeing my mom work hard every day to provide for my brother and me. She never complained and never mentioned she was tied she just worked and enjoyed every bit of it! My children, my children are my world and I want them to see that I can be the best that u can be and for them to follow as I did with my mom.
What are the do’s and don’ts for young women in business?
Keep everything business. Do not let “because you are a woman” affect you. Don’t mix your feelings (relationships, family, etc) into your work, always keep it professional, pray upon your job each and every day because it is destined for greatness! I have a business partner (a woman) and we are a dynamic duo! When you are destined for that greatness like I said before, you let nothing stand in your way!
How do you successfully grow from business failure?
When you have a business failure, you can’t think negative. You will always have ups and downs in the business. Me having a nonprofit organization, it’s very hard to establish money and run a business when you only open with donations and grants in which have not been easy to receive. I will grow by writing down and successfully building a plan that will help me better the organization.
Name three successful female role models and explain why you admire them.
Michelle Obama, powerful, all in for children, loving and very respectful. She is a determined woman who will strive to be the best. Oprah Winfrey started from nothing and ended up on top. She is a true meaning of success. Last but not least I would have to say, Hillary Clinton. No matter what she will not back down and she is destined for greatness.
