Meet Tamara Figueroa-Guzman | Motivational Speaker & Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tamara Figueroa-Guzman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tamara, how does your business help the community?
As a Speaker and Educator, I’m fortunate to present life changing strategies to groups of students, individuals, administrators, and leaders at one time. Sharing proven tools, social emotional techniques, and mental health checks increases student success, enhances professional development, boosts leaders to the next level, and helps individuals to live on purpose. My focus as a Speaker and Educator is to add value to every environment that I encounter beginning with the communities in front of me and expanding to the world around me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a Motivational Speaker and Beauty Educator, I’m able to impact lives in a way that is not just career changing, but life changing. All that it takes is one moment to change the trajectory of someone’s life, and that’s what my work allows me to do. I’ve seen the results and I’m humbled to be called a life changer. My goal is to blaze the trail as a world changer.

Coming from the perspective of a teacher, student, and survivor allows me to pour into my audience in a special way. You see, my story is unique to me, and my experiences can only be told by me. The learning lessons and educational nuggets that I share from my journey is what sets me apart from others.

My journey into the professional speaking world was not intentional. In my classroom, as a Beauty Educator, I noticed that the brief life talk segments that I had with my students, known as Soul Food, is what impacted them the most. I saw confidence build, focus sharpen, skills develop, and lives change. I saw that there was a thirst for more from students, colleagues, and various people that I encountered. That “more” was on the other side of my story; on the other side of my knowledge; and on the other side of my experiences. I’ve always been a teacher at heart moving from the mindset, ‘Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day; but if you teach a man to fish, he’ll eat for life.’

I believe that all of the seasons of my life have prepared me for who I am today as a professional Speaker and Educator. Let me tell you, it was not an easy task getting here. Trekking through the trenches of Brooklyn, New York surrounded by violence, poverty, crime, fear, and hopelessness was hard. At multiple times I wanted to give up, but I knew quitting was not a choice because the alternative was not an option for me.

Looking around my community, I had to decide, and I decided to choose me! I saw something better and different for my life. Having that vision and truly believing it was possible, is what fueled me to create a plan. As a result, I worked hard and became an honor student; competed and won a NYC modeling contract as a teenager; became the first in my family to graduate college; collaborated with TV, film, and beauty brands as a professional Makeup Artist; developed beauty entrepreneurs and TV/Film production artists; and now I speak at schools and organizations as a Motivational Speaker impacting lives. There were challenges at every turn… doubt, rejection, and insecurity. However, against all odds, I made it! That’s one thing I’m so excited to share with others because if I can do it, you can do it too!

In the process I’ve learned that I’m much stronger than I realized. When one door closes, a window opens. With every experience in life, there’s a lesson and a blessing. Through my voice, I want the world to know that whoever you want to be, or whatever you want to do is possible. If you can see it, and believe it, with an action plan you can achieve it!

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?
To have my friends visit for a week is already a treat, and for it to be here in sunny South Florida is the cherry on top! Each day will bring something new. So exciting, let’s start!

Early Morning – Watch the sunrise at Fort Lauderdale Beach, then head over to First Watch for a hearty breakfast… yum!

Late Morning – Drive up to West Palm Beach and boat over to Peanut Island for some good ol’ barbecue and fun in the sun.

Late Afternoon – Refresh and recharge before heading out for a cultural experience at Island Space Caribbean Museum in Broward County.

Evening – It’s dinner time and no visit is complete without hitting Las Olas Blvd and River Walk. That strip is filled with everything… an old fashion trolley to the beach, amazing restaurants, shopping boutiques, art shops, dessert eateries, live music, and so much more!

I think that’s enough for Day One… ha ha! So, after eating, laughing, and dancing the night away, we’ll rest up and get ready for the adventures of Day Two. I’ll share a preview… it’s all about self-care. Day spa, massages, facials, and more! Ahhhh!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to shout out the Next Level Speakers Academy for supplying me with the tools, coaches, and community to do this work. Those connections and foundation is beyond anything that I’ve ever experienced in this industry. To share stages alongside the industry elite is truly humbling.

I’d also like to shout out The Faith Center in Sunrise, Florida for giving me a platform and opportunity to share my gift. Big props to the Pre-Show, Media, and Dare to Care teams! The leadership from top to bottom is incredible!

Lastly, I’d like to shout out my tribe of family, friends, and students who have encouraged me along the way. There’s too many to name, but you know who you are. Please know that every one of your words and acts of support is truly, truly appreciated. I’ve been able to take new steps along the way because of you.

Website: https://TamaraFigueroa.com/

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

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-figueroa-guzman

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

Image Credits
Yvonne Lopez Donald Gibson