Meet Tonia Phanor, PhD | Communication Coach/Speaker/Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tonia Phanor, PhD and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tonia, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success is the success of my former students and clients. Seeing my clients go from terrified to speak or share their business with others, to now doing their own podcasts or being paid to speak at an event is the most fulfilling thing for me. Many of my students I taught in college are now on radio, television, and leading successful businesses. Most of my business comes from the referrals of my clients. I am blessed to work with some pretty amazing people and I am grateful to be a small part of their success.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I always knew that I wanted to have my own business, as well as be a speaker. I started out in education as a communication professor. I truly enjoyed being able to empower my students. I then began being asked by other organizations and companies to speak. Then business professionals began approaching me to work with them individually on their business skills to promote or enhance their business. So I officially registered my business in 2005 as a coach. I also published my first book around the same time. It’s kind of crazy how it all happened. I did not plan on being an author. I just felt compelled to share my story with other young people that were trying to find their purpose and that’s how my first book, Changing Lanes came about. Then I also experienced the desire to want to have a successful relationship and began interviewing successful women on marriage as well as pursuing your goals, and that is how my book, The One was birthed. Now I have been married almost ten years and help couples with communication in their relationships. But the biggest leap of faith for me was leaving academia last year, to begin coaching and speaking full-time. It was definitely not easy. My whole identity had been wrapped in being an educator and had to shift to being a business leader. I still believe that I educate others on a more global scale now, but my mindset had to shift. I have worked for someone since I was 15 years old. You work harder for yourself than for anyone else. You have to make it happen. I am grateful to have grown even in the midst of the pandemic due to my online courses and speaking.

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?
So I am a foodie and would definitely have to build our schedule around eating great food. There are so many great places to eat in Atlanta. I would probably start with breakfast at Thumbs Up diner or The Flying Biscuit. We could then do some shopping at all the boutiques in Little Five Points. We could get a bird’s eye view and maybe some lunch at the Ponce City Market. You can’t come to Atlanta and not have good soul food/creole food. So if we are in Southwest Atlanta we could go to Busy Bee’s or if we are more north to Pappadeux’s Seafood Kitchen.

Website: www.drtoniaphanor.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonia-east-phanor-ph-d-2b36106/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrToniaPhanor

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNVNhXXAS69U5gIu-IBnlHw