Dr. Tana M. Session is an organizational development strategist and international speaker. Connect with Dr. Tana on LinkedIn. This interview was made possible by P.T.A.
How did your journey first take place in entrepreneurship?
I decided to leave Corporate America at the pinnacle of my career as a Chief Human Resources Executive. I felt I had hit a wall and didn’t know what was next for me. I didn’t feel fulfilled, even though I had reached the level of success I worked so hard for over the years.
Because I knew I could continue to make a difference for employees and organizations, I decided to launch my own HR consulting business focusing on Diversity, Inclusion, Equity & Belonging. I’ve been a full-time entrepreneur since 2015, and haven’t looked back!
Tell us about the process of launching your business.
Originally, I launched my business promoting myself as a speaker on workplace topics and as a coach. Throughout that process, I built my brand and social media presence and connected with people I knew in my network. In turn, word-of-mouth referrals from happy clients have created a sustainable pipeline of new clients.
What was the most challenging yet motivating point of this journey?
Once I realized that my CEO never wanted me to make as much money as he did, I knew I would always be limited in my income growth in Corporate America and had to bet on myself. It was clear that my work had a tremendous financial impact on the organizations I worked for. I already knew how to help these companies make millions of dollars. What’s to stop me from doing the same for my business?
Additionally, I am always motivated by the impact of my work on the employees’ lives. Through my work, I help transform company cultures to create a place of inclusion and belonging for all employees. These are the things about my work that keep me motivated every day. I love what I do and it truly does not feel like work (most days!).
What would you do differently if you could go back in time?
Looking back on the past few years, I would have focused more on Corporate clients and less on individual ones. I have had a greater impact by moving from “one” to “many,” and work has been much more sustainable. I’ve learned that it is okay to have a few fully vested clients than to try to work with ten or more at one time. It’s a huge timesaver and much more impactful financially as well.
Any achievements you’re proud of?
I’m exceptionally proud of the impact on company culture I have had over the years, especially through the lens of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging. The testimonials I’ve received from clients and employees let me know that I’m doing the right thing at the right time for the right people. My legacy will ultimately be this: Changing the lives of 1 million+ people, one company at a time.