As a digital marketing and communications visionary with over a decade of strategic experience in B2B and B2C markets, Tami has an insatiable desire to drive an innovative approach that fuels disruption in emerging markets.
Tami is the co-founder of 31south, a creative agency focused on building modern brands, viral experiential activations, and disrupting the ordinary. Previously, Tami joined one the fastest-growing a B2B SaaS startups in the U.S. as the first marketing hire at SalesLoft to scale the marketing team and lead marketing initiatives across multiple platforms. A champion for taking big risks to gain traction, she is inspired and driven to create indelible experiences and building brand champions.
Q: What would you like to see your team accomplish in 2019?
Our goal each and every year is to be our authentic selves. We wake up each and every morning with unprecedented ambition to be extremely daring, to push the boundaries, to walk where other agencies cannot, and to provide daring, creative campaigns that drive real revenue and awareness for our clients. We know what it takes to build a rocket ship to the moon. The question is: are you ready to join us?
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Q: Who is your role model or hero?
I hold enormous respect and admiration for people in many walks of life - for what they have endured, overcome, and achieved in this lifetime. Many years ago I listened to a speech that put great perspective around role models. Today, my perspective is that my hero is who I chase. It’s me 10 years from now. But it’s naive to think for one minute I’ll ever reach that because every day, week, month, and year of my life, my hero is always 10 years away. I’m never going to beat my hero. I’m not going to obtain that, I know I’m not. And that’s just fine with me because that keeps me with somebody to keep on chasing. - Matthew McConaughey.
I’m never going to beat my hero. I’m not going to obtain that, I know I’m not. And that’s just fine with me because that keeps me with somebody to keep on chasing.
~ Matthew McConaughey
Q: What is your favorite book?
'The Hard Thing about Hard Things' by Andreessen Horowitz - It's worth a read if it isn't already permanently on your bookshelf - whether you're a founder, committed to a side hustle, or trying to better understand the startup ecosystem. The book addresses effective decision-making. My key takeaway (among many) is to Involve multiple people in brainstorming but make the final decision solo. Consensus-based decisions tend to sway the process away from strength and toward weakness. What I love most about the book I recommend at every possible opportunity; is that it addresses the truly hard things that many biz books barely mention.
Q: Do you use any specific method or system to run daily operations?
There are no two days alike at 31south and we like it that way. At the foundation, we have built a framework for success that keeps us tracking toward hitting revenue goals and milestones for our clients while remaining fluid enough to work at unprecedented speed. Authentic communication is key to success and we work toward aligning on our shared vision daily; technology makes it that much easier. Slack channels allow us to compartmentalize activations and emoji FaceTime calls keep the laughs alive in the office.
Q: Why did you choose your present industry at this time?
Creating unforgettable experiences and putting a brand on the map breathes life into me every day. I believe great stories happen to those who can tell them and I am on a quest to lead a full life, surrounded by people who are passionate about what they do.
Q: What is the best/worst moment you can remember in your career?
Starting 31south with my co-founders is undoubtedly the highlight of my career and continues to be the magic that fuels my inspiration and motivation to keep going after big dreams as an entrepreneur.
Don’t shy away from opportunities because they don’t fit into the timeline you think you should follow.
~ Tami McQueen
Q: Looking back - if you could advise a younger version of yourself to do something different - what would it be?
To live each moment in the presence and not worry as if tomorrow is promised. All too often we try to orchestrate every step of our lives according to a timeline we think we should follow, usually prescribed by societal norms and what we think we’re supposed to do. It’s easy to miss an opportunity in this mindset. It also gives the perception that the opportunity will come around again or that we have more time than we do to accomplish our goals.
We are a generation that has been told to say NO. To say no more often, and to learn to say no. Instead,
Say YES to more things
Say YES to opportunity
YES to feeling uncomfortable and unsure
YES to stepping out of your comfort zone
Don’t shy away from opportunities because they don’t fit into the timeline you think you should follow, and in the same vein, don’t get discouraged when you haven’t yet accomplished what others say you should have done already. Commit to showing up every single day and give it your all, it will happen.
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