Social Impact Authors: How & Why Tamieka Smith of Wordsmith Enterprises Is Helping To Change Our World
An Interview With Edward Sylvan
The books I’ve written can help others come out of abuse, offer words of encouragement, and think about their own impact on the world.
As part of my series about “authors who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Tamieka “Ms.Wordsmith” Smith.
Tamieka is an Abundance Cultivator Consultant who empowers dreamers to become doers of the world while unapologetically allowing their light to shine in a dark world. As a 3x Author, Certified Life Coach, Transformational Speaker, Self Publishing Consultant, and former Sales/Marketing Maven in Corporate America, she is a servant leader at heart. She is an HR professional by day and wears a smile most of the time. She is a boy mom of two, ages 13 and 14. It’s not how you start, but how you finish. Compelled to do more than survive, Tamieka began her process of thriving after leaving a severely abusive relationship in 2010 with her boys, one in pull-ups and one in diapers at the time. From depression, PTSD, brief residency at a shelter, financial instability to a college-educated, intercessor, and loving mother, she wears a smile to bring joy to anyone in her presence. Her authorship began in 2016 with Shattering the Glasshouse: A Memoir about the strategy that saved her life from abuse. Her following books include Gratitude: A 31-Day Affirmation and Devotional, and GloUpGirl! A 21-Day Guide to Living Your Best Life After Toxic Relationships.
She has previously shared her testimony with Unconventional Apology, Huff Post, Good Housekeeping, and Iron Sharpens Iron TV. Through her company Wordsmith Enterprises, she is assisting others to have the courage to share their story. Through faith, anyone can recover all while being healthy, happy, healed, and whole. She has been a successful Recruiter for some of the top research firms, universities, and hospitals in the United States in her working career. Tamieka holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management from Colorado Technical University. Her love of writing first began with her love of reading instilled by her mother. Some of her early inspirations came from The Bridge of Terabithia, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, and the book that changed it all…I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by the late great beloved Maya Angelou.
Durham, North Carolina born and raised.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
I grew up in Durham, North Carolina. As the oldest and affectionately shortest of 6, I have been a natural-born leader. Growing up, my mother had a total of 3 daughters. My father had additional children once divorced. The difference in parents did not halt developing a relationship with our other siblings. Watching my mother be a single mom before marrying my step-up father showed me what strength, grace, and love were.
When you were younger, was there a book that you read that inspired you to take action or changed your life? Can you share a story about that?
When I was younger, I was required to read the book I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. I remember reading every chapter in awe. That moment, I remember saying to myself I want to write a book about my story one day. I did not realize at the time the power of words coming to life.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting mistake that occurred to you in the course of your career? What lesson or take away did you learn from that?
I would say the most interesting mistake I made was realizing to keep “work at work”. The organization has its designated time for me to complete a task. I should really enjoy my own free time. Everyone in the work environment is not your friend. Unfortunately, some people take on their titles too seriously and lose their morals, values, and oftentimes respect to be seen. I think it’s funny that I am a woman that worked in different industries to really prepare me on how to deal with people. From fast food, retail, aviation, telecommunications, and now human resources, I truly believe there are no mistakes.
Can you describe how you aim to make a significant social impact with your book?
When it comes to social impact, it can have a great influence on the communities we live in at large. The power of our own decisions can be underestimated. It can change the trajectory of your life. The words that I write are thoughts first, spoken, and then permeated to the soul. That is a great responsibility. The books I’ve written can help others come out of abuse, offer words of encouragement, and think about their own impact on the world.
Can you share with us the most interesting story that you shared in your book?
In Gloup Girl! A 21-Day Guide to Living Your Best Life After Toxic Relationships, I found myself in a vulnerable yet compromising situation. I could have let myself sit in depression and shame. Laying on a cold metal table while dealing with a hard decision taught me two things: people can be cold and people can be warm with their hearts as well. The guy I chose to sleep with at the time was emotionally not ready to hold me. I made peace with his inability to love me in a genuine capacity. On the other hand, the nurse that held my hand was so warm. It was a stranger’s touch that kept me sane.
What was the “aha moment” or series of events that made you decide to bring your message to the greater world? Can you share a story about that?
I remember the reaction of people’s faces when I would reveal the last moments when I thought I was going to die at the hands of my children’s father. As I was in the courtroom testifying for the judge to grant me an order of protection with the gruesome details of what happened to me in that relationship, you could hear a pin drop. Everyone in the room was in suspense, honor, and disbelief. I looked in my abuser’s eyes no longer carrying the fear. I gained my power back on that day. That’s when the “aha moment” revelation came over me. I had something to say and people listened. It was from that point on when I knew there was something connected to the power of the pen with your voice.
Without sharing specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
As I was getting the temporary order of protection, my Grandfather told me to write down every last gruesome encounter of the attacks when it was time to go back to the courtroom. I followed his instructions. I was so caught up in surviving day to day that I did not realize the severity of how toxic the relationship was. I happened to be writing an outline of my first book by documenting my memories. It’s amazing how real something becomes when you write it down.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
Be cognizant of the fact that this isn’t just a “domestic” issue within the home but also the communities at large. Society as a whole loves to use preconceived notions on the person being victimized. If politicians would stop being so divided and look at their constituents dealing with real-life issues, we could make the world a better place. Put funding where it belongs. Create programs to not only help women and children; there are individuals within the LBTQIA+ community that is hurting behind closed doors like I once did with my children. Recovery from PTSD should be granted automatically for victims to have adequate resources for mental health.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership is a person that leads from the back. They don’t always need the spotlight. That type of leader cheers for the next person to be great. Working with a servant’s heart allows one to continue to succeed in life.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
1. Give yourself grace. Nothing happens overnight. I began the Wordsmith brand back in 2014. Stay consistent. Create your own performance evaluation to make room for improvement.
2. Any sustainable business has a solid foundation. It is so important to have a vision of your business. Lay down the groundwork.
3. Don’t skip over the details. Document all of your progress. It tells a story. We’ve become so programmed by social media to be impressed with the aesthetics that we do not pay attention to those small wins. They all count towards your goals.
4. Everyone can’t go. As you evolve, people may do the same. It’s okay. Live with the fact that some are around for seasons but everyone has a purpose in your life for a reason. Love them while they are around.
5. Invest with you, the brand of your business. You are a brand before getting the business incorporated. Just like a corporation has missions, visions, and values, so should you.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“You were born for such a time as this.” Esther 4:14. It reminds me that I was created for the time that I’m needed the most. Especially when I have my challenging days, I love to use the many quotables and stories of the Bible to pull me through.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
I would so love to meet Ms. “She Ready” herself, Tiffany Haddish. I love her authenticity and tenacity. She has an amazing story! She carries being famous so well. Her energy is contagious. I would just want to shadow her for a day.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
I plan on relaunching TamiekaSmith.com at the top of 2022. My business page houses all 4 books and products on www.wordsmithenterprises.busness. The blog, www.GloUpGirl.com is where my thoughts flow freely from time to time. Of course, you can find me on social media to follow my journey:
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube: @TamiekaSmith
Twitter: @MsWordsmith
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Social Impact Authors: How & Why Tamieka Smith of Wordsmith Enterprises Is Helping To Change Our… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.