Her Story
About Tamara
I started my career in retail management right out of college in 2009 after graduating from Florida State University. I actually run the biggest Victoria's Secret store in the district, and I've been with the company for almost 16 years total, though I did boomerang for a few years when I had my second child. What I love most about what I do is making a difference in women's lives each and every day, and being able to influence not just my store, but other leaders within the district and my team. Last year, I completed a HYPO program in October 2025, which is for store managers interested in becoming district managers one day. During that year-long program, I ran multiple units and essentially operated as a pre-district manager, which was an incredible experience. On top of running the store, I also own my own tax preparation business that I started in 2016. I have over a hundred consistent clients, and I'm busy every tax season from January to April. I actually started the business because I didn't like how someone did my taxes, so I went and learned the trade myself and got established through the IRS. I love being an influence around the tax laws and making sure people's taxes are prepared properly. It's not only a great source of extra income, but something I'm truly passionate about.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tamara
01What do you attribute your success to?
I honestly attribute my success to my parents. Being the first child in my family and coming from a strict Jamaican culture where I always have to be better than my parents, they really cared about my success and the career path that I took in life. My parents always wanted better for us, and with that, I always wanted better for myself. It kind of just nailed that you have to be better, right? Now that I have my own children, I want the best for them as well. I want to be seen in a light, especially with having two daughters, as that strong woman with the ability to be successful in whatever I do. I want my daughters to see and be proud of the work that I've done or accomplished over my lifetime, so that can bubble down to them and lead them in the way where they want to have the best. Even for the young girls in college who work for me now, when I tell them all the things I do, they're like, oh my god, that's amazing, how do you do all of that? But I want to show them that it is possible, no matter what. As long as you put your mind to it, you can really do it. You just got to have the ambition, and I think I've always had an ambition to want to be the best and want to have more.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The greatest advice I received was to teach. When you think about even working in retail, the more you teach, the better it is for you, because you want to be able to lead a building, not actually doing the work. So, being a teacher and an influencer was one of the biggest pieces of advice that I received that led to my success.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If it's something you really want, passion leads to success. Just be passionate about what you do. And consistency is also key to success as well, so just be passionate and consistent in everything you do in life, and trust me, it will lead to success. That would be my one advice - just consistency and being passionate about what you truly want out of life.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My top three core values are: number one, love the customer. Number two, love your team. And number three, lead with a purpose. Beyond my work values, I believe health is super important too. Your body and your mind are the most expensive things that you have in your life. I make sure we watch what we eat and stay in the gym so we can really take care of ourselves and sustain the energy I need to do all that I do.
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