Throughout February, Related Midwest is highlighting the words and stories of our partners in honor of Black History Month.
What services do you provide?
As an economic development consulting firm, Tandem provides regulatory compliance management, workforce development, and DEI services.
What makes your business unique?
Tandem was formed during the 2008 recession—November 2008, to be exact. When most people were just trying to survive financially, I was investing into a new business. The time in which my business was formed is the foundation of what makes Tandem unique. We continued to build on that uniqueness by positioning ourselves as a “niche” firm. We have branded ourselves as a boutique economic development consulting firm because we only provide services to a very select list of clients, only offer an abbreviated list of services, and only provide services exclusively to the real estate development and construction industry. Finally, as a small business, we embrace social responsibility in a way that directly impacts the industries we serve. We achieve that by providing intellectual capital, direct hands-on training, and technical assistance to small and emerging minority businesses at no cost, which extends our mission of supporting the growth and sustainability of small and emerging minority-owned businesses.
What does Black History mean to you?
For me, Black history means reflection and celebration. It means reflecting on who we are as a people—our strength and resilience—and taking stock of our many contributions that are so greatly cemented in the fabric of American history. It means celebrating the achievements of our current-day trailblazers, from the community to Congress—and definitely those in construction!—who are contributing to the great legacy of Black history.
Who inspires you?
I’m inspired by people who continue to excel and rise above the challenges they’re faced with—those who don’t succumb to defeat when the odds are stacked against them. As an entrepreneur, when I see that resilience and tenacity in others, it becomes a source of empowerment for me.
What’s your life’s motto?
My life’s motto is to put out and operate in the same energy you want returned to you, which greatly reflects the Biblical principle of sowing and reaping.
