Hidden Gems: Meet Toneka Smith of T. Smith Business Consulting

Today we’d like to introduce you to Toneka Smith. 

Hi Toneka, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My journey for business first began as I started going to school for business at Jackson Community College. I knew I had love for helping others and wanted to turn that into a business where I could start and run myself. As I moved through college, I did an internship at a business incubator. During that time my role was a certified trainer there to educate small business owners on how to structure their business. After gaining more experience I began to do my own research and discovered how little resources small business owners have within the community. From there I began to get myself more education and knowledge on how today’s business owners can expand by using social media. I enrolled myself with Google Academy and received a certificate to be certified in Google Analytics. I also got certified in Instagram and Facebook ads. With the education received from Jackson Community College, Google Academy, and my experience throughout college I decided to create a company that would be able to support small business owners on structuring and growing their company. While I do specialize in social media, I do have many other business services available. Now I am graduating from college with my Associate’s Degree in Business Administrator, and with a business certificate. I have been open and taking clients for the last 5 months. I have had success with each client. I have made great networking connections within the community of Jackson. I have a grand opening coming in January. Details are coming soon. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road the whole way. I am one of the only people in my area looking to specialize in social media for small business owners. With that being said, there is not many people to answer my questions. A lot of starting my business was trial and error. Finding out what works for my business and my clients as well. Luckily, I have met some great connections along the way to help me navigate in the business world. More than most of my business advice came from my business and life coach. More of my struggle was learning to plan every move I needed to make. I was so used to working for someone other than myself. I had to learn to clock in and out every day, learn organize and structure my business. When you’re the CEO of everything, nothing happens unless you make it happen. You not only make the business plan but you’re in charge of your daily operations. I am the receptionist, the marketer, the designer, the business consultant, and the networker. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about T. Smith Business Consulting LLC?T. 
Smith Business Consulting is a consulting company here to support small business owners. We have a variety of services available to help structure, grow, and expand your company. Those services are; consulting appointments to discuss your needs, Google business consultation, Google Business Page Set Up, networking, social media management, social media management plans, event promotions, customer feedback surveys, and follow-up appointments. We specialize in social media marketing. I am the most proud of being able to be in business especially for the small business owners. Here at T. Smith Business Consulting, our motto is “Here to save you time, so you can focus on your bigger picture”. I want all the small business owners to know that T. Smith Business Consulting is here to support all of your business needs to help you succeed. 

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk-taking?
I think taking risk in your business can sometimes be necessary. When taking risk, you have to make sure the end means out weight the risk you’re taking. I took a risk on choosing to fund my business own my own. Making that decision was hard for me. I could either take money from my savings and apply for grants. Or I could apply for a business loan. The choice I made was risky but the ends are worth it. I have been funding my own business and it has been working slowly. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tsmithbusinessconsultingllc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tsmithbusinessconsultingllc/