“And one day she discovered that she was fierce, and strong, and full of fire, and that not even she could hold herself back because her passions burned brighter than her fears.” This poignant statement by Mark Anthony aptly describes Teresa B. Howell, CEO of TB Productions.
Teresa graduated from North Carolina Central University with a BA in Psychology, MA in Special Education, and MSA in School Administration. It was in her earlier years of education that she discovered her craft. After taking an English class, one of her professors read a short story she created and encouraged her to write.
Today, Teresa is known for her riveting narratives that touch the heart and soul. Articles about her unique fiction writing have been published in The Huffington Post, CEO Magazine, UBAWA, The Herald Sun, The News and Observer, The Carolina Times, Urban Tymes, The People of Carolina newspaper and Strawberry Lit Magazine.
Her accolades extend to being included in Diamonds Literary World's top 20 books in 2016, Conversations Magazine’s top 50 books in 2017, and being Sistahs Place Magazine’s 2017 Author pick of the year, ACHI Magazine's 2018 Author of the Year, ACHI Magazine's columnist of the year 2019, ACHI Magazine's Playwright of the year 2019, and Gospel Image Award's Inspirational Author of the Year 2019.
But how does this entrepreneur wear so many hats— author, playwright, producer, and director, host, distributor, marketer, and promotions guru—and balance it all? When she faces challenges, what does she do to overcome them? Best of all, how can she help you to thrive and succeed in the arts? If you feel like you’re going down a rabbit hole of curiosity, put the brakes on. VBD Magazine has the answers to these burning questions, so read on!
VBD: Tell us about the services offered by TB Productions.
TERESA: TB Productions is a marketing and entertainment company designed to help individuals in the arts department. We assist with four categories: Publishing, Music Distribution, Theater, and Film Production.
VBD: What is the inspiration behind the “Amplified Exposure Live” show?
TERESA: It came to me in a dream in 2017. I saw myself sitting on a sofa and interviewing celebrities. When COVID-19 hit, my mentor from Sony Music said, “You should interview celebrities.” I remembered the dream and started in hot pursuit with launching the podcast. It centers on A-C list celebrities in music, theater, film, and literary works.
VBD: Why did you create The Heat Seekers Magazine?
TERESA: My Sony records mentor came up with the concept of interviewing indie artists on a podcast, so for two seasons, we interviewed several inspiring artists that wanted exposure. A light bulb went off and I said, “Maybe this will work even better as a publication.” So, the creation process began and since I already had eight sessions of “Amplified Exposure Live” with very well-known guests, it was not hard to get them to grace the cover each month.
VBD: Tell us about your author life.
TERESA: I was inspired to write through tragedy in 2015. I lost my grandmother and then a year later I lost my mother to brain cancer. Writing became a therapeutic tool that helped me get through the grief. I was inspired to write Christian Fiction with an edge of drama. With this concept my first book That Church Life was born. I was not expecting it to make any noise but within a year it sold over 10k copies. I did not list what I was doing at the time, but I will be forever grateful for the mentors that stepped in and helped me out. So far, I have five published books and four in the making. I hope to publish all four this year. I have five awards for Author of the Year and Playwright of the Year. My goal is to continue making the pen hot! I love writing and between my books and my published magazines, writing will eventually become my life.
VBD: How do you balance it all?
TERESA: I don’t. It’s all prayer and a good meal here and there. Sometimes, I want to pull my hair out and sometimes I sit in awe, thankful for all that God has blessed me with.
VBD: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned since becoming an entrepreneur?
TERESA: My very important lesson is to stay connected with your audience no matter what. Engage them in everything you do so that when big things happen, they will be right there to support you. I am thankful for all my followers who have stuck with me through the growing pains of each project. They have helped make all things possible for me.
VBD: What strategies do you use to ensure that you thrive when challenges arise?
TERESA: I count to 10 and start all over again. There is no other way but to have patience and remain calm if possible.
VBD: What’s next for you?
TERESA: I have slowed down on the talk shows a bit so that I can now travel. I will be traveling to several broadcasts this year and working with a few producers. I am a writer and producer of a film called Blue Magic: The Frank Lucas’s Story. I will be working on that in the fall of 2022 along with touring with a few music artists that are on my Sony Orchard distribution label. The play That Church Life 2 will also hit the stage winter 2022 in several cities in the North Carolina area. I’m sure I’m forgetting something. But this is my life.
Website: https://tbproductions.org
Book Cover: Amazon
