Meet Tawanna Ballard | Certified Life Coach, Speaker & Trainer

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

Hi Tawanna, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process has always been legacy. I started my business with my family in mind. It’s always been important for me to make sure my children’s children were able to partake of the work I have done and will do in life. The bible lets us know in Proverbs 13:22 that a good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children. I have always believed that each generation should get better and better. So, with all of this in mind, I started TRB Consulting & Solutions LLC in November of 2017. TRB Consulting & Solutions is a Coaching and Consulting firm designed to service individuals and organizations in life and business. When I started, I had very little help and seemed hopeless in finding the right resources needed. I would often say, “why is everyone so reluctant to help me and share their knowledge of how they got started?” This was very frustrating. As a result, I begin to sign up for every webinar, conference, and purchase any book that spoke to me about what I wanted to do in business. I learned very quickly that I could not be afraid to invest in myself. I believe God was also impressing upon me to become to others, what I didn’t have. He wanted me to be a solution to others and help them solve their problems. So, I decide to make the brave investment of becoming a Certified Life Coach, Speaker, & Trainer with the John Maxwell team in 2018. This was a huge accomplishment and was the momentum I needed to keep launching forward. During this time, my desire to teach others grew greatly. I have always done women’s ministry in my church where my husband and I are the Lead Pastors. In December of 2018, Tawanna Ballard Ministries/TRB Ministries, a non-profit organization, was officially founded. Through this ministry I developed a monthly Life Class where I teach women from all walks of life. We cover topics from marriage, abuse, dealing with identity issues, mental health and wellness, along with a host of other topics. I also teach an annual vision board class to teach women how to goal set and remain accountable to their personal visions. I developed a Vison board journal to help each participant to remain accountable to their goals. This class continues to grow and has served hundreds of women over the years. We are currently expanding our Life Class into other regions and States.
In early2019, I felt the need to develop content that would allow others to become certified in Life coaching. I then developed the Intro to Life Coaching Program to teach key principles and practical techniques for individual and group coaching. Tawanna Ballard Coaching & Consulting was also launched as a result of our coaching program. The coaching Program is 100% online and a self-paced course. Enrollment is ongoing.
I recently launched in March 2022, A women’s business network. This network is for women of faith who are in business and trust the leading God to direct them in every step. I believe that women are arising and beginning to take their place in the world of business, but they also need to be reminded that all our success is a result of our obedience to God. When we don’t know what to do, God gives us His wisdom to make decisions.
Oh, did I mention that I am a Pastor. I am so grateful to Pastor alongside my wonderful husband, Anthony. He helps me to stay balanced in everything I have going on.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My career to some may be unusual. It all started for me at the age of 17 years when I entered the United States Army. I initially enlisted into the reserves, but later decided that I wanted to serve fulltime in the active-duty military. It was through my military training when I developed the drive to never quit. This was imbedded in me, and it never left me even after I left the military. My mindset comes from the discipline I developed in the military. I have known for the longest time that I am called to serve others, I just didn’t know right away in what capacity. Over the next several years I finished my bachelors and two graduate degrees which led me into the field of social work, as well as business. My social work career has given me the opportunity to work children and adults. It also has allowed me to work in various fields. I am currently a licensed social work in the healthcare field, where I serve as an advocate for the aging and disabled population. In my off time I am also building my business to the place where I can transition into it fulltime. This has not always been an easy journey, but it is definitely rewarding. I believe my desire to serve others allowed me to overcome those difficult times and focus on the vision of serving fulltime in my business. I am most excited to see that day finally manifest. I want the world to know that I can’t do any of this without God. I rely heavily on God’s leading in every decision I make concerning my entire life.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When friends visit me, I usually take them to the larger city of Jackson, TN which is roughly 26 miles south of where I live. I know this seems far, but believe me, when you live in rural Tennessee, you get used to it. It’s much more populated than the town I currently live in, with plenty of things to do. Depending on what you want to do, we have all the luxuries of the larger cities, such as fine dining, movies, ballpark, family fun centers, etc. A big tourist attraction here is the Casey Jones Home & Railroad Musem. Located next to Casey Jones’s historic home, the Railroad Museum contains many exhibits dedicated to Casey’s life and famous last ride. You can enjoy a short film about the story of Casey Jones, a walk-through Casey Jones’ historic home, and take pictures with their 35-ton locomotive, their version of Casey’s engine 382. If you are a Civil War enthusiast, you will enjoy their permanent exhibit entitled “The Railroads & The Civil War in Tennessee.” Onsite is also a restaurant called Old Country Store with some the best home cooking you ever tasted.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband Anthony Ballard Sr., My daughter Diona Ballard and my two sons Anthony Ballard Jr. and Steven Ballard are my biggest supporters, they are indeed the reason I am determined to see the fulfillment of my vision! Our children are all grown, and I now have time to focus on the things I’ve always wanted to do. My children as well as my husband all have an entrepreneurial spirit. I am really looking forward to seeing what they launch in the future. I also want to thank my amazing Church Family at Word of Deliverance Ministries in Milan, Tennessee. These wonderful people have supported me over the years by just being there whenever I need them to be. Whether it was traveling overseas or being with me whenever I have an engagement. I appreciate them so much. I have an amazing group of mentors and friends who also push me and make sure I am reminded of what God has shown me concerning my dreams. I believe in life you need the right people around you at all times. I am so blessed to have each of them.

Website: tawannaballard.com

Instagram: @tawannaballard_coaching

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tawanna-ballard-b1498047

Twitter: @coachtawanna

Facebook: Tawanna Ballard Coaching & Consulting, Tawanna Ballard Ministries, Tawanna Ballard

Image Credits
Professional Image: Darren Lykes Photography, Makeup Artist: Gina Hampton Hughes