We had the good fortune of connecting with Tami Draper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tami, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Above all else, I value integrity. Doing what’s right because it’s right is definitely part of who I am at my core both personally and professionally. In life, relationships are based on trust, weather you’re my friend and confiding in me or you’re a business partner entrusting me with a project worth millions that may elevate you to the next level in your company or cause you to begin a new job search. My people, my friends, my colleagues, my clients know that if I say something they can count on me to deliver. I will always do my utmost to deliver on the promises I’ve made and always be honest throughout the process.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I love what I do! I help clients tell their brand story in a memorable way that resonates with their audience. I work for a boutique, experiential design firm and thrive on the creative outlet it provides.

Getting to where I am was quite a journey and I certainly didn’t plan it. I worked hard, really, really hard, had an endless amount of faith (but God for real!) and was always grateful for whatever position I was in when I was in it and learned as much as I could in every opportunity.

I grew up really poor on welfare and food stamps and was on my own by the time I was 17. My background would literally never point to where I am today. Neither of my parents graduated from high school so that was a literally the goal. I tried to go to Jr. College but just didn’t want to be broke anymore. I worked in retail jewelry sales for over a decade and did well enough to take care of myself but did not want to work in retail for the rest of my life. Working weekends, nights, holidays, missing out on life events was not fun! Notice I didn’t say I wasn’t making enough money, lol, since I grew up so poor I thought I was balling! It was about relationships for me not money per se, I wanted to live my life with the people I loved.

One day this really sharp, put together, educated, professional women (picture a really expensive suit and designer pumps with a really fly haircut) came into my store and through a series of conversations ended up extending an opportunity that would change my life. I latched onto that opportunity and became a sponge, learning absolutely everything I could about B2B sales. I was promoted quickly and made a name for myself based on an extremely hard work ethic and a level of integrity that people weren’t used to. If I said it I meant it. Several years later I made a move from my beloved Cali to Atlanta.

Fast forward two decades, a foray into the events and exhibit world (been doing that for over 15 years now) and a few companies and positions later and voila…one month ago I accepted a position as the VP of New Business Development. It’s kinda my Cinderella story and I’m grateful everyday.

For me, the most important lesson is gratitude. Being grateful for where you are and what you currently have makes room for more, more joy, more opportunities, more amazing people and yeah more money too.

“Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” I can’t remember who said that but it’s true, everyone has a brand. I value and am grateful for each and every person I come into contact with weather that’s the client, the talented designers I work with to create a solution for my client, my executive leadership team or the phenomenal crew that literally build and bring to life what we envision.

When people think of me as a brand I hope they want to work with me because I’m honest and hardworking, because I always try to have fun while I’m doing it and because I really do care.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Atlanta is full of diversity, cool, eclectic restaurants, history, great shopping. I don’t think you could fit it all in with just a week but let’s see… I love Marietta Square on Saturday morning when they’re doing the farmers market and Mac’s Chop House has an amazing brunch. We would definitely have to check out the beltline in Atlanta for all the best people watching and stop in at Urban 2 Licks for a cocktail and some apps. If it’s baseball season, we’d have to go to The Battery and catch a game, maybe hang out on the rooftop at The Social or any one of the restaurants or bars there. Atlanta is home to amazing civil rights legends and seeing the Martin Luther King Center would be on the agenda and since we’re in the general area, we’d have to hit up Poor Calvin’s, best asian fusion ever, don’t sleep on the the lobster fried rice with a Lychee Martini! Hopefully we can fit in an outdoor concert at Chastain or MableHouse Amlitheatre and bring our own picnic basket, that’s literally my favorite thing to do! If it’s fall we might have to take a scenic drive up to the North GA mountains and pick apples at the Mercier Apple Orchard. On my list of places to get to are The Garden Room, JoJo’s Lounge and Forks and Flavors. There’s so much to do here!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many absolutely amazing people who have believed in me, helped me grow and discover my abilities along my professional journey that it would be impossible to name just one. So I’ll throw out a few if that’s ok… Anouchka Fairon – one of my first mentors who always told me how amazing I was, helped me hone my skills and also taught me how to dress like I wasn’t going to a club. (True story!)
Jeanette Woodward – She saw something in me and took a chance on a gal with no college education and hired me at one of the worlds largest specialized staffing firms.
Heather Higdon – cheerleader of the ages, she taught me no less than a million things, her support both personally and professionally are a constant in my life
Diane Manuel, Elisa Van Arsdale, Sherry Johnson, CarineLisa Titus, Melissa Heard – My tribe, all women who show me everyday that being an amazing wife and Mommy and a badass in the corporate world are possible and you can balance both.

Website: lgplay.org

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tami-draper-a226438/

Other: The lgplay.org website is to Let’s Go Play. I sit on the Board of Directors as President. It’s a non-profit founded by my daughter 5 years ago when she was just 11. We create fun events for children who live in group homes, shelters or foster care so they can just have fun!

Image Credits
https://www.photographybyarrik.com/ Arrik Williams

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