Today we’d like to introduce you to Theryn C. Bond.
Hi Theryn C., so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My introduction into both politics and media came at a very young age. I remember my father being very into politics and me tagging along with him going to various political events, including me with a bull horn outside of polling locations encouraging people to vote. Simultaneously, I remember an Uncle of mine working for FM100 and Channel 5, who also allowed me to tag along often in the studio and at station events. As I journeyed through school, the noise of politics continued at a much lower volume while the sound of media continued to ramp up. I found myself becoming fascinated with the thing at the bottom of the screen when the news comes on, which I now know is the lower third. I became intrigued with how cameras work and the various types of cameras. I wonder how the people talking on the other side of the screen remembered all the words. These are all things that overtime I learned the proper terminology for while they also became second nature to me. The reality of having a media-related job became more heightened as more time when by and I acquired more experience. Classes at the TCC on Union which is now home to Cable 19 News and 88.5 FM radio. I did that. Reading and Operating a teleprompter and learning all other television studio positions. I did that. Majoring in what I love in college. I did that. In college, is also where the advocacy and politics began to rise up again with the Jena 6 story. I guess you could say over the course of my life, I’ve navigated several spaces independently and as I get older I find them regularly intersectional
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth,No. I wish. The most important thing the rocky road to accomplishing goals has taught me is how to be resourceful. There’s always an out, a window, another option. It may not be my option of choice, but it exists. Understanding how to truly be resourceful, means I am rarely ever without. I may be limited but not without. You’ll almost never hear me be excited about navigating the rougher road vs. the smooth. I’m a firm believer on making this easier for whomever is coming behind me and certainly who is attempting to venture next to me. I think some personal frustration over time has been seeing ill-intentioned people having a smoother road. While I’m human and occasionally get distracted as much as the next person, it was imperative to my success for me to learn how to operate with blinders on.
I remember when I moved to Hollywood in February 2011 with less than $3,000 in the bank. I found my apartment on craigslist. I learned how to ship a car for the first time, moved into an apartment sigh unseen, and was waiting on a company transfer for work. Let’s just say everything was smooth except for the job. Being resourceful, I found background casting work and was a Social Media Manager for a digital media outlet before Social Media Manager was a real job. Things smoothed out eventually but there were definitely spurts of couch surfing and sleeping in my car. I’ll never forget how hard I cried when I had to clean out my storage because I couldn’t afford it anymore and could only keep what would fit in my car, which at the time was a 1998 Toyota Corolla.
Not even a decade later, I would move back to Memphis after my Grandma Willa’s death become heavily involved in both politics and media. and on November 26, 2018 get diagnosed with Cervical Cancer. So if anybody knows what go through it and come out on the other side looks like, it’s me.
As you know, we’re big fans of Finish Line Strategies, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My business is Finish Line Strategies. Thanks to my friend and former elected official, The Tall Lady, I took my gifts, talents, and expertise and rolled them all into a formal business after getting rejected from yet another Director-level job as I walked into my friends home. At Finish Line Strategies, I help you reach the finish line with a win; one company, one candidate, one campaign at a time. There are so many things I’m capable of but my highlights are Campaign Management and Messaging. The road leading up to, and including these things, are how I got the name #PoliticalBarbie. I’m known for speaking out loudly and boldly, holding elected leaders accountable and informing others so they can do the same. In the most extreme cases, those folks run for office. The summation of such is how I became a Political Commentator.
On the business side, I am most proud of managing the history-making campaign for the first openly LGBTQ+ legislator in Tennessee state history. I’m proud of being a first time candidate whisperer who can explain and advise on politics like nobody’s business.
On the commentating side, I am most proud of speaking truth to power regarding what is going on in The White House and America, even when that meant getting iced out by certain networks. There’s an old saying that people can’t handle the truth but I, myself, will never shy away from telling it.
I want readers to know I’m the best at messaging, I’m the best at Speechwriting, and in a 2 hr. consultation I can give any person confidence to know if they should run for office or not.
How do you define success?
So crazy that this is a question, because I’ve discussed this with very close friend recently.
On the surface, many would define success by the car you drive, size of your house, amount of money in your bank account.
But that’s surface and I’m a deep person.
Success is the impact you have on a person, place, or thing that yields positive results or solves a problem. It’s the thing with deep feeling that can’t always be measure by an analysis report.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.finishlinestrategiesllc.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/PoliticalBarbie
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/SuperProducer114
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theryn-c-bond-5666b521/
- Twitter: https://Twitter.com/WalkingMicDrop
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WalkingMicDrop
