Influential Woman · Health and wellness and arts
Garley Briggs
Founder | CEO, GiGi Tonye’ Arts & Fitness | Tonye’ Co.
Tulsa, OK
Her Story
About Garley
I'm a serial entrepreneur now. My current business is called Nemine Coaching and Consulting, where I do a combination of curated well-being programs for entrepreneurs, individuals, as well as businesses of various sizes. I also do professional development training for up-and-coming wellness leaders. That's what I do a lot now, but my other business that I had for over 10 years was a mobile dance and fitness studio. I had that for almost 10 years, and did a lot of health equity work. Now I'm just doing the consulting and coaching, and I also have a wellness and tech company that I started towards the end of last year. I also work part-time as a personal trainer for the YMCA. My most notable professional achievement thus far was leading a first-of-its-kind dance as medicine research study case study in South Africa. I was able to work with people over a period of 2 weeks, and I actually was able to get enough evidence-backed data to be able to advocate for dance being considered, and movement being more considered as a healthcare solution. I'm actually writing a book from it, and I'll be releasing it out soon. That's been the biggest career achievement thus far, bringing the work that I've been doing in the States into abroad and seeing the level of synergy and impact. It's definitely been life-changing.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Garley
01What do you attribute your success to?
Number one, my faith. My faith in the Lord. I'm honest, I would not be doing the work that I'm doing if I did not answer this calling on my life to go into this, because I was definitely in the direction of corporate America healthcare stuff, and that was the way I was going. That's why I had a master's. But man, when God calls you to do your purpose, it just changes everything. I think that's why I've been doing this work so long, and I had opportunity to really thrive in the career I was going in, but this is where I'm needed, and I've seen over the years the problem that I'm helping solve and the gap that I'm trying to help fill. My faith in the Lord, I'm a believer in Jesus Christ. This whole step has been a faith walk. Despite what I've gone through throughout this time period of going through this journey, I'm anchored in this because of my faith, and me knowing that this is part of my purpose in life.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
First of all, I would tell them, do not do it for the trend. Don't do it for the trend. The trends come and go. Don't do it for social media. Social media is great because you get to connect with many people across the world, but don't do it for reasons that are not realistic. If you're going to get into the industry, you want to make a difference, really want to make a difference, because someone needs what they have. And you want to help people in a long, in a very longevity, sustainable way, as opposed to these quick fixes. Don't do it for the hobby.
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