As part of the Morning Lazziness series about empowering women who encourage and do incredible things with their ideas in society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Tomika Anderson Greene.
Tomika Anderson Greene is an award-winning entrepreneur, writer, marketing, public relations, and communications expert, as well as an adjunct professor. She owns three successful businesses: Motivated Mamas, Single Parents Who Travel (SPWT), and Manifest Greatness Media (MGM). SPWT and MGM are both award-winning ventures featured in major publications such as Forbes, TodayShow.com, Parents.com, and Good Morning America.
With over 25 years of experience in journalism, Tomika has interviewed high-profile celebrities, including Beyoncé and Serena Williams, with bylines in The Atlantic, Oprah Daily, CNN, and more. She has channeled her media expertise into her PR and marketing firm, MGM, where she crafts impactful narratives for industry leaders, government agencies, and high-profile clients. Her work earned her recognition as one of Women We Admire’s Top 50 Women Leaders of DC in 2023.
In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, Tomika offers executive and lifestyle coaching through Motivated Mamas, helping individuals create and execute strategic plans for both personal and professional growth. She is also an adjunct professor at American University, teaching The Business of Freelance Writing, and has guest-lectured at NYU, CUNY, and Howard University.
A certified project manager and change management specialist, Tomika has worked with U.S. federal agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services and the Defense Logistics Agency. She has also represented the U.S. on global initiatives, including media capacity-building in Africa under the Obama Administration.
Tomika is a devoted wife and mother of five, living in Washington, D.C. with her husband and one child.
Here’s what we found out about Tomika’s daily routine, followed by an exclusive Q+A.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur, and what sparked the idea for your business?
The inspiration behind my entrepreneurial journey came from a combination of passion, necessity, and a desire to make a difference. As a woman of color and a single mother, I realized there were significant gaps in industries I was passionate about—particularly in travel, public relations, and coaching.
In the travel industry, I saw a lack of resources and support for single parents who travel. After struggling to find services tailored to our unique needs, I founded Single Parents Who Travel to create a space where single parents could feel empowered and supported in their travel endeavors. My own experiences as a parent and traveler helped me understand the challenges and joys of traveling with kids, and I wanted to make those experiences more accessible and enjoyable for families like mine.
Alongside that, I also launched Manifest Greatness Media, a public relations company that helps businesses and individuals build their brand, amplify their voice, and create meaningful connections with their audiences. I wanted to combine my passion for storytelling and my background in communication to help others succeed in their respective fields, particularly those who often feel underrepresented in mainstream media.
Additionally, through Motivated Mamas, I offer coaching specifically for single mothers, empowering them to navigate the challenges of parenthood while pursuing their personal and professional goals. Being a single mom myself, I understand how isolating and overwhelming it can be. My goal is to provide a supportive community where single moms can thrive, achieve their goals, and feel motivated every day.
Each of these businesses stems from my desire to fill gaps I’ve personally encountered and help others who may be facing similar challenges. Whether it’s helping single parents travel, empowering women in their careers, or helping individuals build strong personal brands, my mission is to create spaces where people can grow, succeed, and feel supported.
As a woman navigating the business world, what challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
As a woman navigating the business world, one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is overcoming gender biases and societal expectations. Early on, I often had to work harder to prove myself and demonstrate my competence, particularly in male-dominated industries. This required me to be resilient, assertive, and unafraid to take up space. I’ve learned to advocate for myself, push past self-doubt, and continually prove that my voice and ideas are valuable, even in the face of skepticism.
Another significant challenge has been balancing the demands of running a business with my personal life. As a woman, there’s often an unspoken pressure to excel in both realms—building a successful career while managing family responsibilities. I’ve had to set clear boundaries, prioritize my well-being, and recognize that I can’t do everything on my own. Overcoming these challenges has taught me the importance of resilience, resourcefulness, and creating a strong support system to navigate the complexities of business and life.
How do you balance the demands of running a business with maintaining a healthy personal life?
It’s definitely a challenge, and I’ve had to be intentional about creating boundaries. In the past, I let the business take over and would find myself working late into the night or on weekends, often at the expense of my personal life. Now, I make time for self-care, prioritize time with my family, and try to delegate when possible. I’ve learned that taking care of myself means I can show up as a better leader, partner, and entrepreneur. Balance is a continuous work in progress, but setting clear boundaries and making time for the things that matter outside of work has been key.
Which networking strategies have most effectively built meaningful connections within your industry?
Networking has been crucial for growing my business, and I’ve found that authentic, relationship-based networking has been the most effective. Attending industry events, both virtual and in-person, has helped me connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and potential partners. I also try to give more than I take—whether that’s offering advice, sharing resources, or supporting others in their own ventures. Building a strong network isn’t just about gaining clients; it’s about creating a community where we can all learn from each other.
How do you approach mentorship, and how has it shaped your entrepreneurial path?
Mentorship has been a game-changer for me. I’m fortunate to have had several mentors over the years who have guided me, challenged me, and helped me see things from different perspectives. Early on, I struggled with imposter syndrome, but having mentors who believed in me and offered constructive feedback helped me overcome self-doubt. I now make it a point to pay it forward by mentoring others, and I truly believe that the exchange of wisdom is one of the most powerful tools for growth in business.
What strategies have worked best for selling your products and reaching your ideal customers?
The best strategy for selling has been to truly understand my customers’ pain points and needs. By developing an authentic brand voice and creating content that speaks directly to my audience, I’ve been able to build trust and establish relationships before even making a sale. Offering valuable resources—like guides, webinars, and community-building opportunities—has helped me attract and engage with my ideal customers. Word-of-mouth has also been powerful, as my community of parents who travel often refer others to our services.
Which marketing techniques have been most successful for your business, and how do you track their performance?
My web sites, online presences, email marketing, blogging and word of mouth have been my biggest helpers and I’m looking for additional ways to continually market myself and grow my businesses.
Can you share a significant setback in your business journey and the steps you took to overcome it?
My biggest challenge in terms of business is a cross between not recognizing when people are taking advantage of me and my talent, and underpricing myself for years before I learned what I needed to know about how to price myself appropriately, which is a challenge that many women have. Add to that being a Black woman and the experience of continually being devalued in society. Also, you know, “giving away” thousands and thousands of dollars to partners who were not doing a fraction of the work I was doing in my own business—helping them make money and not myself. I definitely did that with Single Parents Who Travel for many years before my husband and I started working together to sell trips. You know, I was always working through travel agents but killing myself to help them, at some points, make so much more money than I was, out of my own community and my own business. You know, it’s like really not recognizing that I should be running my business as a business and, therefore, losing out financially until I did.
What’s the most important advice you’d give to women just starting their entrepreneurial journey?
The most important advice I’d give is to trust yourself and your vision. It’s easy to get caught up in what others are doing or to second-guess yourself, but you have something unique to offer the world. Don’t be afraid to take risks, and don’t let fear or imposter syndrome hold you back. Also, don’t undervalue your time and talent—know your worth from the start, and set boundaries to protect your business and personal life. Surround yourself with a supportive network and seek out mentors who can guide you, but always stay true to your own path. The journey isn’t easy, but it’s so worth it.
Is there a mantra or quote that guides your actions and decision-making as an entrepreneur?
Yes! One mantra that has really resonated with me is: “You don’t have to be perfect, just persistent.” Starting and growing a business is a messy process. You won’t always have all the answers, and you might make mistakes along the way, but as long as you stay persistent and keep learning from those mistakes, you’ll move forward. I also love the quote by Maya Angelou: “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” It’s a reminder to rise above challenges and keep going, no matter how tough things get.
