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

Hi Tiona, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is a priority for me. As a recently resigned corporate marketing executive, creator of Atlanta’s Famous Sliders, health and fitness enthusiast, and ambitious mother of two–who puts GOD first, I’ve been met with my fair share of challenges when it comes to time management and juggling the plethora of things that I find important.

My priorities have definitely shifted over the years. The one constant has always been keeping GOD first. When I became a wife in 2004 the first shift happened, I had to take another person into consideration with everything I was doing. In 2009 and 2011 when we had kids–back to back, my priorities shifted once again. I was blessed to be able to take extended hiatuses from corporate after each child; and although, when my daughters were younger I put my entrepreneurial ventures on the back burner, I had no regrets and have never been resentful, simply because of the way my life’s hierarchy is set up: God, Self, Family, Friends then Career and Entrepreneurial Ventures.

In addition to managing a marriage and kids, my health and mental & spiritual well-being have been at the forefront. Up until the pandemic, I was regularly involved in church activities and rarely missed a Sunday or mid-week service. I’ve also continued to run and workout over the years, only taking breaks when I was pregnant, postpartum, and following one major injury to my Achilles. I’ve always had a very healthy social life; hanging out as a couple was a regular occurrence, along with family outings. Spending quality time with friends was also something I made sure to regularly include in my busy routine.

In terms of my career, I have always included my family in the activities related to it. This has enabled me to prioritize the most important aspect of my life, without any neglect. I consider myself fortunate to have worked in the media and entertainment industry for two decades, where my family’s presence was often appreciated.

The 3rd major shift in balance came when my husband and I parted ways in 2016, after 17 years together, 12 married; and I took on a co-parenting role with 50:50 shared custody. Having my daughters every other week was a major adjustment, with the only plus being able to dig deeper into my career and social life while fully maintaining my mommy duties.

As I move into this next chapter, where I’m focused on building my food brands while independently helping people with media and marketing strategies, I continue to prioritize my work-life balance by not losing sight of GOD, self, family and friends.

Stay tuned…

What should our readers know about your business?

How I Transitioned From Corporate To Heading A Multi-Brand Enterprise:

In 2020, at the start of the pandemic, my food delivery and catering service was born! Built on a need for variety and delivery, within a few weeks, my home-cook skills grew from one meal prep client to larger catering orders. This new venture was taking off and my marketing skills quickly kicked in as I felt the need to a develop strong brand. That’s when @TheRealBlackBettyCrocker was birthed along with my other flagship brands: Atlanta’s Famous SLIDERS™, The SEXY Seasonings™, TheRemedy™ Elixirs, and ThePikNik™ATL. Almost overnight my branding brain evolved these creative concepts into five distinct brands that each had a unique look, feel, and purpose. These brands soon took a back burner as I was swept back into the demanding post-covid, media world but after a little over two years, in March of 2023, I officially resigned from iHeartMedia to fully focus on building my culinary empire while continuing my work with podcasts, influencers, cannabis companies and events, to help them with media and marketing projects, away from the confines of corporate.

What I’m most proud of:

Being an active mother and a great example to my daughters and having the courage to leave corporate by leaning on faith and trusting GOD 120%.

About The Brand that is leading the charge under the Savage umbrella of brands:

Atlanta’s Famous Sliders is revolutionizing the QSR experience as it merges Music, Art and Culture with captivating culinary concepts that embrace the city’s transplant population mixed with hometown ATL vibes.

Atlanta is experiencing a culinary upheaval like never before, and it’s all thanks to the rise of Atlanta’s Famous Sliders, an exciting new brand that’s poised to reshape the way we think about mini burgers. This is more than just a food trend; it’s a movement that’s garnering attention, setting tongues wagging, and becoming the talk of the town. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that’s as diverse as Atlanta itself!

Three things set us apart:

1) A Melting Pot of Brands, Flavors, Stories And Cultural Influence:
Imagine sliders that celebrate Atlanta’s rich cultural heritage while still being deliciously gratifying. The goal of Atlanta’s Famous Sliders is to perfectly capture the character of Atlanta and its diverse population. A celebration of transplants—those who have made Atlanta their home and carried a piece of their original city with them—is at the core of the brand. AFS is summed up as an inventive food brand that showcases a carefully curated fusion of music, culture, art, and style.
 
2) We’re Successfully Capturing An Underserved Audience Who Is Somewhere Between A Poultry Eating Pescatarian and A Vegetarian Who Is Leaning Toward A Vegan Diet, But Who’s Not Quite There Yet:
Who is the ideal recipient of this slider revolution? The answer is simple: everyone. Atlanta’s Famous Sliders caters to a wide range of discerning tastes, with a soft-spot for folks looking to transition to a poultry-pescatarian OR vegetarian lifestyle. Whether you’re an Atlanta local searching for exceptional culinary experiences, a transplant yearning for a taste of home, or someone committed to a healthier lifestyle that leans away from beef and pork, towards poultry, pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan food régimes, these sliders have you covered. The innovative menu offers options that are as varied as the city itself.

3) We’re Merging Multiple Brands For An Optimal Eating Experience:
While Atlanta’s Famous Sliders unveils a variety of specialty sliders that defy expectations and reinvent the slider experience, be ready to be astounded. These culinary concoctions aren’t your typical little burgers; they’re infused with the spirit of various locations. Each slider is a work of culinary innovation, generously seasoned by another one of my brands, The SEXY Seasonings and Infused Olive Oils. From the Seattle Slammin’ Salmon that transports your taste buds to the Pacific Northwest to the Chicken Philly that captures the essence of Philadelphia, plus six other kick-off flavors, you are certain to get a taste of the country’s tastiest cities. The sliders are featured at The PIKNIK events and served with The Remedy Elixirs. What better way to cross-promote brands while providing a culinary adventure that is a perfect fit for the city.

What I want the world to know:

We Have Plans To Evolve From A Local Brand to An International Staple:

While Atlanta is the proud birthplace of this culinary sensation, the ambitions of Atlanta’s Famous Sliders extend far beyond city limits. These sliders are swiftly making their way across the state of Georgia, leaving a trail of satisfied palates in their wake. But this is just the beginning; brace yourself for the impending national and worldwide takeover as long-term plans include expanding the brand to AMERICA’s FAMOUS SLIDERS for a more global experience. Think Greek Gyro Slider…

What’s Coming Up For AFS:

  • Pop-up Extravaganzas and Launch Parties: Surprise your taste buds at impromptu gatherings around Atlanta: Slide Throughs, Sangrias & Sliders, and Whiskey & Sliders, all scheduled for this fall, in partnership with The SEXY Seasonings, The Remedy Elixirs, The PikNik ATL, The Lift Collab, and Show Me Shoes.
  • Elevated Picnics: Experience Atlanta’s Famous Sliders at The PIKNIK ATL indoor and outdoor events, where picnics become culinary adventures.
  • Private and Corporate Events: An array of exclusive events will continue to impress guests with elevated sliders and other delectable small-bites from Atlanta’s Famous Sliders—always seasoned by The SEXY Seasonings and Infused Olive Oils.
  • Slider Flavors & Cities Represented: ATL Fish | Bmore Crab Cake | ChiTown Trky Pepperoni | LA Plant Based BBQ | N.O. Shrimp PoBoy | NYC Jerk Turkey | Chicken Philly | Seatown Slammin’ Salmon, and more flavors to come…
  • E-Cookbooks: ‘The Way To A Man’s Heart…Is Through His Stomach” AND “Sip & Slide” paired with The SEXY Seasonings & Infused Olive Oil discovery set.
  • Crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter: Offering rewards to ‘The Believers’ who show monetary support.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Atlanta has so many options! Good food, great vibes, live music, awesome DJs and lots of laughs are always in mind when showing folks around the city:

  • Ms. Icey’s Kitchen, Apt 4B and  Belle & Lilly’s for drinks, vibes, amazing food and great scenery.
  • Wherever Quinn & Jukbox, DJ Loui Vee or Gritz & Jelly Butter are performing.
  • Kats Cafe on a Tuesday for the best comedy with Maurice Sims.
  • Cam Newton’s Fellaship for food, amazing old fashions and great vibes.
  • Spoken Word on Sunday night at Apache. 

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I have so many people to thank for helping me to achieve success: My daughters, family, and friends.
Show Me Shoes and my media family who I’ve been fortunate to work with over the years–they were my first customers when I decided to start my own food company and have continued to patronize my businesses.

My inspiration for deciding to go into advertising, Dr. Kathy Stitts, kick-butt Marketing Professor and Dean of the Marketing Department at Virginia State University.

My first business mentor, Mary Torrence, ad agency owner and the first person to offer me a position when I came to Atlanta.

continued to patronize my businesses.

Website: https://www.atlantasfamoussliders.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atlantasfamoussliders

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atlantas-famous-sliders

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRealBlackBC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealBlackBettyCrocker

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@atlantasfamoussliders

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.