Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Armstead.
Hi Tiffany, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My small Senior Care business Extraordinary Care started in 2008, with the encouragement of my first private paying client Ms. Ann Hudson. Ms. Hudson referred me to one of her God Daughter’s friends, who then referred me to his neighbor, his mother, and an associate of his. His associate put my name and business on her church board, and about a week later, I received a call inquiring about my services. While meeting their family needs, they then referred me to a nice couple in Sugar Land. My business grew solely by word of mouth-I was spoiled, and did not have to do any marketing! In 2012, I got an emergency call from a family member, informing me of 4 other sick family members who all lived together, and desperately needed help. I then temporarily relocated to South Texas to assist my family members with their pressing health issues-also temporarily relocating with the hopes that perhaps I could expand my business. Before moving back to Houston in 2017, I discovered a fairly new online selling app called Poshmark, which I quickly became obsessed with! The Poshmark online selling community is like no other as far as being a very active 24/7 community of motivated and supportive buyers and sellers. I immediately started my online store, Tene’s Armoire. Poshmark has proven to me that you can really make a part-time and full-time income online! In shifting gears to my online business, I have had quite some time to rethink, and get over my past mistakes with Extraordinary Care. I have worked hard at performing market research, and taking leadership and entrepreneur courses, so that I can finally re-launch. I am currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management with a specialization in Health Services Administration. I will be graduating next year!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. One struggle that I had along the way with Extraordinary Care was going from directly assisting my clients, to overseeing my business. As business clients were quickly growing, I began to hire other independent private duty workers who had more business experience than myself, to fill-in for me when I needed to assist or assess new clients who were not regularly scheduled. My regularly scheduled clients voiced concerns of only wanting me to assist them, and no one else. There were also some other struggles that I had when departed from my clients to assist family members who needed emergency care. This was one of the biggest struggles-and also the biggest mistake that I made. I could have gone about doing so in a different way. My clients really missed me, and to make a long story short, it took me a very long time to get over this mistake. My business was flourishing, and in the middle of flourishing, I made a rash move. With Extraordinary Care being the very first business that I started, and still “my baby”, I have learned so many lessons, (both business and personal) and have done a lot of behind the scenes work to prepare for my re-launch. With Poshmark, I do not recall any true struggles. Having a successful business is about consistency, and doing everything that you need to do to stay self-employed.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am also an online lifestyle and travel blogger at TiffanyTene.com. It is here that I share my passion for Travel, Culture, Style, and Music-with most of the focus now being on the continent of Africa. My website is designed to uplift, educate, encourage and inspire. I am also active on Pinterest where I have boosted my monthly views from 6,000 to 56,000 in just 4 months. I also enjoy being out in nature, going to the beach, and photography. Within the last 4 years, I have fallen in love with, and traveled to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (which is in East Africa-next to Kenya) 4 times. Traveling to, and studying the continent of Africa has inspired me to partner with local Tanzanians, to invest in some of the artisans for my store, and start a travel and tour business-‘And Now Presenting Africa!’ I first became obsessed with Africa while working in the medical field. As I became very curious about the influx of Nigerians that were migrating to Houston, I soon befriended them, learned from them, and eventually they grafted me into their culture! I am most proud of the level of focus and discipline that I have had over the past 4 years. I am a newly single mom, homeschooling my 2 youngest, and feel as if I am finally living a life that is serving me, and making decisions that are in alignment with my goals and my dreams. What sets me apart from others is that I have a unique ability to understand and blend in with people from all across the world. I am known to be the problem-solver, the one who makes people feel comfortable, important, and at ease when they are around me. I specialize in analysis, communication, aesthetics, and health.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I have learned not just one, but several important lessons so far along my journey. One, is to never settle for less. Two, stay around like-minded people. Three, always listen to and follow your instincts. Four, never let anyone talk you out of your mission.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tiffanytene.com/ and https://www.extraordinary-care.com/
- Other: https://poshmark.com/closet/tenesarmoire and https://www.pinterest.com/tenesarmoire/
