Dr. Timberlake, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started my “online career” on YouTube as a Beauty and Lifestyle Vlogger. I had humble beginnings making videos from my bathroom floor.
I was what I like to call “Branded and Broke™” My YouTube channel was growing – I had worked with tons of amazing brands as an influencer: L’Oréal, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Herbal Essences, etc. – but my bank account was not reflecting that AND I was still in my not so glamorous 9-5 job.
So, I made a pivot! Instead of working with big brands, I started working with small businesses and entrepreneurs, teaching them how to use video marketing strategies for their businesses.
My business grew to the 6-figure mark really quickly (8 months).
I found that I loved being a digital business coach! And from there I went on to get my doctorate in education so that I could better serve my clients. I wanted to get empirical data around business coaching and its efficacy for online entrepreneurs (specifically women). So I designed a study that gave empirical evidence to back my digital experience with over 11,000 hours of work, thousands of pages of research, hundreds of women studied, dozens interviewed, and one very lengthy dissertation! Now, I coach clients on how to get use their influence and expertise to build successful businesses in the online space. I currently run a 6-month mentorship program called PLATFORM.
It’s been an amazing ride! I have had the chance to speak on stages all over the country, I collaborated with Forbes, have been featured in Huff Post, Entrepreneur and so many more!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Hm… Thankfully I can say that I haven’t had too many bumps – I think it’s because I had so much support from my own coaches. No one should ever try to build a business without one!
I will say that a successful mindset is absolutely imperative to growth. All those little doubts can show up at every point of expansion – even for me! So the mindset is critical! That’s always going to be a challenge no matter how much money I make or how big my business gets
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Timberlake Ventures story. Tell us more about the business.
Currently, I coach aspiring entrepreneurs and already existing ones on how to build sustainable online businesses – but beyond that, I teach them how to build PLATFORM. How to use their area of specialized genius, experience, education, talent, passion, etc., and monetize it!
I teach them how to become the “go-to” expert in their niche.
I would say that a lot of things make me different. Most business coaches focus solely on the business aspect of entrepreneurship. I like to focus on what I like to call the Tracy Timberlake Trifecta: The Business, The Brand, and The Boss! It’s not just about making a few dollars it’s about digital leadership and what that looks like in the long term.
According to my research and my experience, you need to have all three. Another thing that makes me different is all of the work I have done to get here – because I spent years doing research on this industry + my years as an online entrepreneur, I can honestly say, from an academic perspective, I get to show up as the expert in this industry.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe perception is reality And you can create your own luck. I have learned to never let current circumstances and appearances be a stop sign. It’s the same thing I teach all of my clients. We get to make our own reality – because we are powerful creators! I also believe in the law of frequency and vibration. If I vibe high, I can do anything!
Again, this goes back to having a mogul mindset.
(Side note: I am a Sagittarius, we are naturally lucky LOL)
To know more follow her on Instagram.