Today we’d like to introduce you to Theresa Marie Olison.
Theresa Marie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Theresa Marie, Inc. is the parent company for several businesses. I have been acting and writing for over 20 years, and have been a Property Management professional for nearly as long. In 2017, I made the decision to formalize and monetize some of the skills I’d honed over the span of my life. That’s where the personal coaching (Exit Strategy), small business and organization coaching (Equilibrium), production (Ropastelli Films), and talk show (nkd conversation) platforms were birthed.
Along the lines of a day job, I have managed every type of residential structure, with the exception of a Cooperative over the last 16 years. Property Management is not my passion, but it is a profession and a source of a paycheck, for which I am very grateful!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
You know… I’ve definitely been through some things in life, but I can’t say that my “story” is as tragic as I’ve heard. The bulk of my property management experience has been in affordable housing — housing those with no income, up to those who earn 60% or less than the Area Median Income. I’ve been exposed to VERY rocky roads through my residents, so I am always slow to moan about my rough patches.
My family was definitely poor when I was a child. My parents were the King and Queen of 47th street, so they lacked education, which made it difficult to provide, legally, for a family of 7. Nonetheless, we lived together–mom and dad in the home — and made it work. All 5 of us kids attended public school, and we each have at least one degree, with one of us having three. So no, it was not an easy road or start, but my parents made it work. I’ll forever honor them for that.
I endured some personal challenges on my own, as an adult woman. I lost my father in December 2010, and most recently, the death of my husband in September 2017. Losing two of the three most important people in your life sucks. It sucks bad. For them to be men that I’ve lost exposed me a bit, in a way that I didn’t expect. So, I took pause. Readjusted my pace. I kept going. I had to.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Theresa Marie, Inc. story. Tell us more about the business.
The most prominent role of my personal brand is my role as a storyteller. Sometimes, that plays out with my pen, and other times, it’s in front of the camera. My emergence as a writer is picking up much faster than I expected, and God continues to preserve my mind so that I can create. It is absolutely a key area of purpose for me. I am just now exposing the world to this part of my craft with this degree of intentionality, but by and large, I create and perform stories because I freakin love it! This part of my purpose serves me. Ropastelli Films and nkd conversation will stem from this. The world hasn’t experienced these two powerhouses yet, but they comin!!!
What draws “clientele” my way are the Exit Strategy and Equilibrium platforms of Theresa Marie, Inc.
Exit Strategy has provided personal coaching services to people who are seeking the next phase of their path and need language for what that journey looks like. God has gifted me with the ability to take complex. seemingly unrelated matters and simplify them, so that my clients can have a practical approach to their next move. THAT is the difference. I don’t drag out my sessions, nor are they cheap; however, if a client is honest with me, they are able to make a meaningful change immediately as a result. I thank God for the gift of my mind and perception DAILY.
Equilibrium provides assessments and strategies for small businesses and organizations–specifically in the areas of Leadership, Process, Culture, and Performance assessment and restructuring. My progressively responsible roles in corporate America have proven my ability to not just problem solve, because problem-solving is temporal in nature, and if there is no meaningful change to operations and culture — from the top down–a company or organization will be hiring a consultant or a coach frequently. I value referrals over repeat business, so I work very hard to customize an approach for a client. So far, so good!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in luck. God has conceived, programmed, orchestrated, and manifested every facet of my life… even those parts that have not yet surfaced in the earth realm… even those parts that hurt… even those parts that didn’t make sense. No luck here. Just God’s purpose, His favor, unwavering support of those who love me, my grind and refusal to be basic.
No. Luck. Here.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@theresamarieinc.com
- Instagram: @theresamarieolison
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