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

Hi Tonita, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind the success of my brand is my clients. The clients provide the vision and I am a mere vessel used to help their dreams and visions become reality. From their concept to my implementation and execution we work as a team in tandem to get the job done.

They allow me control and trust my business instincts which offers me the freedom to be creative, make mistakes and learn from them while rising to the top

The client is my business. There is no me without them.

What should our readers know about your business?
Savvy Girl Consulting is a small woman owned business and branding consulting company. I founded this business because no one was willing to help me grow my business or establish my brand with my limited financial resources. I was turned away stating the business was not profitable enough, my experience was not vast enough to lead other smaller brands to financial success.

I then decided to do the research and make my own mark, I became my first client. This was not easy. I was met with many closed doors when I approached people with my proposals to represent them, I was judged because I have a checkered past, people were hesitant to trust me, I was low on financial resources so I had to continue to run my healthcare company to keep Savvy afloat.

And then I decided to leave my small hometown and move to Atlanta. And this is where my story begins. I was introduced to numerous wealthy celebrities, numerous people who were willing to give me an opportunity in spite of me being a small business, in spite of my lack of experience in the field, in spite of past mistakes made during the folly of my youth. I was able to be my most authentic self and soar.

I want the world to know that you are NOT who and what the world may label you as or call you, you are more than the past pains felt and mistakes made in your life. Do not allow yourself to make excuses for not living the life you want, realizing all your dreams, be willing to sacrifice and do the work. Stand in your truth. Own that shit. If a single black woman from Cleveland Ohio, can raise 4 college -degreed and educated children, build a 6 figure healthcare businesses, own and operate 3 other businesses, become a Real-Estate Investor, move 10 hours away from all her family and friends all while having a felony record can do it. You can too.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a total foodie. I have only been living in Atlanta for 18 months but I have had the best food experiences ever. I would take someone visiting to a few of my local faves, Cafe Intermezzo in Midtown, Park 27, Ok Cafe and Landmark for amazing diner style food, Pashals for soul-food, Apre’s Diem for the vibe.

I absolutely love Ponce City Market and Old 4th Ward, walking on the beltline, stopping in little restaurants and shops, making small talk and enjoying the fresh air. High Noon tea at the St. Regis is a wonderful time and Chateau Elan for a weekend getaway is an absolute to do list must!

I love staying in local hotels, my favorites would include the Lowes, The W midtown, and The Westin because the sundial restaurant has an epic view.

The nightlife scene is everything you need it to be, from local bars in the community to concerts Atlanta gives you whatever you are looking for.

Shopping is vast, the shoppes at Buckhead are my favorite as well as the Mall of Georgia. I love the local farmers market for the variety of food and people and I often frequent the specialty markets like Nam Dae Mun and Plaza Fiesta.

For outdoors I would recommend the Botanical Gardens for a lovely scenic time.

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?
I would like to shout out my first Celebrity client Mr. Lamar Odom. If it were not for Mr. Odom giving my small business a chance to represent him, I would not be where I am today with Managing Clients.

Mr. Odom looked beyond my unsavory past, looked beyond the naysayers who said I was too small of a company to handle his caliber of celebrity and trusted me.

We celebrated 1 year of me being his manager on December 12, 2021. To date I have created over 3 million dollars in revenue for Mr. Odom and ensured his new found success as a business man.

Website: savvygirlconsulting.org

Instagram: savvygirlconsulting and savvytalentmanagementgroup

Twitter: savvygirlatl

Facebook: savvygirlconsulting

Image Credits
Gifted Talents

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