Temeka Teshunda shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Temeka, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Who are you learning from right now?
I’m an avid reader, and lately, I’ve been diving into the works of Octavia Butler, Maya Angelou, Chinua Achebe, Jen Sincero, Arlan Hamilton, Clarissa Pinkola Estés, and Thomas Stanley.
These authors have become my teachers. I truly believe that through books, you can meet anyone and travel anywhere.
Reading offers me the opportunity to connect with a wide range of voices and perspectives—fiction and non-fiction, Black and white, men and women, some still living, others long passed. Each author brings their own unique style, story, and insight, whether imagined or real.
These experiences have helped expand my understanding of the world, both personally and professionally.
At the heart of it, I believe we all have something valuable to teach—and to learn from—each other.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Temeka Teshunda,
Principal Consultant and Founder of Effective New Creative Solutions (ENC Solutions), a boutique consulting firm specializing in brand development, marketing strategy, and executive coaching.
I work with high-performing leaders—entrepreneurs, founders, and executives—who are navigating change. Some are pivoting from a long-standing career into entrepreneurship. Others are shifting industries or stepping into a new path for the first time. Most have been successful, but haven’t clearly told their story or positioned their expertise in a way that matches the impact they’ve already made.
At ENC, we believe clarity breeds strategy. We help our clients bring structure to their vision and move forward with a brand and business model built for sustainability—not burnout.
Right now, I’m leading the launch of Business & Beyond, a curated mastermind for leaders ready to reimagine what’s possible and position their next chapter with boldness, focus, and alignment.
If you’re ready to make your next move the most aligned one yet—we’re here to help you build it with clarity and confidence.
I am a proud Boy Mom who teaches me all the new lingo like, “Rizz,” and “6,7,” as well a dog mom of two adorable chihuahua terriers Omen J.R. and Zara.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
The first time I remember feeling powerful, I must’ve been about five or six years old. It was summertime, and my mom was getting ready to go to TJ Maxx. I really wanted to go shopping with her, but she told me to stay home with my dad because I needed to take a bath. I wasn’t having it — I didn’t want to take a bath, and I definitely didn’t want to be left behind.
So, being the playful kid I was, I decided to hide. I crawled under the bed in my sister’s room and stayed there, quietly snickering to myself while my dad started calling for me. I thought it was hilarious — he couldn’t find me, and I was having the time of my life seeing how long I could keep it going. I started hiding in different places all around our townhome, completely caught up in the thrill of being invisible.
But then it got dark. And that’s when things changed. I started hearing voices — police officers, neighbors, even teenagers from around the neighborhood all calling my name. Flashlights were sweeping through rooms. I realized then that this had gone way further than I expected. I ended up hiding in our linen closet, behind stacks of towels. And that’s where the police finally found me, crouched and blinking into the beam of a flashlight.
Looking back, it’s hilarious… but also kind of intense. I didn’t realize it at the time, but my disappearance had sent my whole family and neighborhood into a panic. My dad was driving through the city looking for me. My sister took my hand when they found me and whispered, “When Daddy gets home, this is not gonna be good.” And she was right.
But in that chaotic moment, I learned something lasting: presence is powerful. I had unintentionally stopped time for my entire family, just by not being seen. That’s when I realized that even when you’re quiet, even when you’re hidden, your presence still carries weight. And sometimes, just acknowledging that you’re here — that you matter — is enough to spark action, shift direction, or ground you in your next step.
That day, hiding behind towels, I felt powerful — not because I was in control, but because I mattered. That’s a lesson I’ve never forgotten.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Be kind to yourself.
Don’t beat yourself up trying to meet expectations or timelines that were never meant for you. A lot of the pressure you feel — from school, family, church, or society — isn’t personal, but it can become internal if you’re not careful.
You don’t have to be hard on yourself even if the world is. Be your own safe space. Be patient. Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s — your timeline and the how of your journey is valid.
And most of all, get to know yourself. Ask questions. Be curious. You’re not behind — you’re becoming. And learning how to be present with who you are right now is one of the most powerful thing you can do..
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
One cultural value I deeply hold onto is the power of belief — the idea that you can become anything you choose to be.
Growing up in American culture, there’s this underlying belief that possibility is real — that no matter where you start, you can dream, build, and evolve into something greater. And while I recognize the complexities and contradictions in our history, that core belief in potential still resonates with me.
I’ve had friends from other countries say, “You all really believe you can do anything.” And honestly, they’re right — that’s one thing we often carry here: a deep-rooted conviction in self-determination. And for me, that belief has been foundational.
Whether in life, leadership, or transformation work, I’ve seen how most roadblocks trace back to belief — a lack of it, a break in it, or the rebuilding of it.
Because belief is where everything starts.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely — and I actively challenge myself to do just that.
I’ve learned that if my giving is tied too tightly to validation — whether it’s likes, applause, metrics, or recognition — then it’s not really service, it’s performance. In today’s world, especially with social media and modern business culture, there’s so much focus on output, KPIs, and optics. You’re often not just measured by what you did, but who saw it and how it was received.
That mindset can be exhausting. I’ve lived in it. And I’ve had to learn how to shift — to still show up, still give, still be excellent, even when there’s no external acknowledgment.
One thing I’ve done practically is turn off story views and visibility on social media. It was a way to retrain my mind — to remind myself I’m not sharing to be seen. I’m sharing because it matters, because it’s real, because it might help someone. Even if I never know who.
I believe showing up without applause is the truest form of service. When there’s no “win” yet, no recognition, no confirmation — and you still give your best — that’s where character is built. That’s when it’s real. And I hold that standard close, daily..
Contact Info:
- Website: www.enc.solutions
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/temekateshunda
Image Credits
Wix Media
