MINT HILL, NC – Now that the school year is over, a lot of families are looking to find uniquely entertaining, interesting and educational ways to fill their summer hours. To answer this need, The Mint Hill Times would like to introduce its readers to Tetnika Williamson with Poise, Inc.
Williamson is a Certified Etiquette Consultant and Style and Branding Management entrepreneur and small business owner. She found her niche while teaching etiquette courses. “I’ve always had a ‘hustle’ mentality,” she explains. “When I left the corporate world to become a middle school teacher, I recognized that I wanted to extend my classroom so that I could continue to work with the kids and mentor them. Etiquette is such an important element to both workforce skills and life skills – plus it’s a personal passion of mine – and most people have either forgotten its elements or have never learned them. However, we all need it in case we find ourselves in a situation where we have to use it.”
In order help achieve her goal, Williamson first wrote the book Modern Day Etiquette for Everyday Living. It is a practical guide to the rules of social behavior and can be found on Amazon, in Barnes and Noble, or even at the local public library. Next, under her brand, Poise, Williamson runs Cutie Pie Pampering. This company provides spa parties for girls ages 4-14.
Williamson says the parties are always a success. “The girls choose a theme and a party package for up to six friends. Throughout the event, we focus on three principal ideas. First, we talk about manners, behavior, and what it looks like. Then, we discuss how these two skills can empower us in other areas of life. Finally, after the girls are all dolled up, we talk about how these elements of etiquette can create confidence in who we are and how we carry ourselves. But mostly, we just have a whole lot of fun!”
Williamson also has a deep heart for philanthropy. “I’m so grateful that my for-profit business allows me to also run several nonprofit charity programs,” Williamson shares. “I started with the Prom Project to collect dresses for girls in need. I partnered with families, local dress stores and bridal shops to collect donated dresses. By the second year, I received almost 3000 dresses for the girls to choose from.”
Williamson also realized that girls aren’t the only ones who can benefit from the confidence of life skills. “The past two years, I partnered with the Boys and Girls Club to create Ties to Tomorrow, a nonprofit that collects neckties and bowties,” she says. “Then, it pairs local leaders in the community with a young man to mentor. The gentlemen attend five workshops with me to learn manners and etiquette and how to properly wear a necktie. We conclude with a meal to illustrate the skills the boys have learned, and they each wear their newly donated tie around their neck.”
Williamson also hosts a coed event, the Charlotte Children’s Business Fair. “This event is more closely related to my small business side,” she explains. “I organized an activity where kids can set up their own pop-up shop and sell things they make. Two or three times a year, we host about fifty or sixty child vendors. We took a break during COVID, but we are looking forward to bringing it back soon.”
Williamson also runs a workforce development program for special needs students within Meck Ed Charlotte. She hosts a Mother’s Day event, Empower Her, for girls who have lost their mothers. She works with the Girl Scouts to offer a badge for her pamper parties. She has also organized Poise Entrepreneur summer camps with the Matthews Parks and Rec department.
Williamson shows no signs of slowing down. “I have so much passion and drive. That’s what happens when you’re an educator who truly cares about people,” Williamson smiles. “I do hope to scale my business and begin to hire a team. I can’t do it all myself, and know that balance is important in life. I don’t know what the next thing to come my way will be, but I’m excited and looking out for it.”
