Meet TaNiya Clayton | Personal Branding Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with TaNiya Clayton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi TaNiya, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I decided to start my own company because I truly believe it’s something I felt God was guiding me toward in this chapter of my life. Back in 2011, I had the idea of becoming a business consultant, but various life challenges got in the way. I went through a lot, and, as a single mother at the time, I didn’t have the time or the confidence to pursue entrepreneurship and show up like I wanted, but I knew that my ultimate goal was to have my own business and do what excites me.

Fast forward to 2019; after trying different side hustles (career services business for four years), I’ve circled back to my dream of being a consultant, mainly focusing on personal branding consulting. It feels like the right time, like God’s plan for me.

My passion lies in supporting other women, empowering, inspiring, and equipping them with the tools they need to bring their passion projects to life. For me, it’s about being a resource and helping other women overcome procrastination, fears, and any obstacles that may have held them back in the past. My motivation is deeply rooted in purpose, and I’m genuinely passionate about seeing people succeed. I’ve witnessed countless incredible women not fulfill their true potential because they prioritized everything else over what God was calling them to do and not realizing that their dream wasn’t just for them but for future generations.

I can’t help but think about all the lives they could have touched and all the good they could have done. That’s why my mission is to assist women in taking those initial steps and in showing up as the incredible individuals God has called them to be—unapologetically, authentically, and boldly.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My company, Champion Business Services, helps Christian women who own businesses or want to start one. I assist them in finding their unique brand style, connecting with their customers, and becoming more skilled in business.

As I mention, I had the career services business, but I felt the need to shift toward personal branding and business consulting. This transition was not easy, as it involved letting go of something I had invested my time, money, and emotions for years. I wanted to make it work. However, God had been guiding me to start Champion Business Services, so after resisting the transition for two years, I finally decided to go all in and let the career services business go. There were many moments of comparing myself to others and wondering if my voice mattered; preparing myself mentally to start a new business venture as a solopreneur was intimidating.
I started to do the groundwork and take it one step at a time, talking myself through nervousness and reminding myself that I was called to do this. I also think skydiving helped. I needed to take the jump. I had allowed fear to rob me of many things and was tired of allowing it to hold me back. Once I completed my skydive, I realized that I gave fear too much power in my life. It was really an empowering moment for me. One of the things skydiving taught me is that not everything ends badly.
How did you get to where you are today, business-wise?
It’s funny because, in my 20s and 30s, I was trying to follow all the latest trends to get money quickly after years of buying programs for drop shipping, affiliate marketing, etc. I realized that it still takes work even if I did those businesses. I had to wrap my mind around the “hard work” aspect. Once I accepted that it wouldn’t happen overnight, I started to put in the work and focused on getting clients as a resume/writer career coach. In that business, I learned so much about customer services, sales processes, and helping my clients land roles, with some seeing significant increases in their income. Everything I learned in the career services business prepared me for Champion Business Services and to serve my clients better.
Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?
So, starting and running a business takes faith, resiliency, sacrifice, and a determined mindset. There are many emotions I’ve gone through; it’s wild. I have made the joke that when many of us are starting out on our own, we are IT, customer service, graphic design, sales, web developers, and so on. The truth is you wear so many hats. I’ve had to learn continuously. Some business activities came easily to me, but others not so much. My MBA program helped me to understand marketing and strategic planning better. My relationship with God has meant everything to me because moments when I felt like it was getting hard, He would remind me that I would get through it. I had to use many techniques to overcome challenges depending on the situation. Getting clear on my “why” was necessary. I prepared my mind when I had to learn a new concept to improve my business, stayed consistent even when I didn’t feel like it, took moments to assess my progress and celebrate wins, and had a good cry when I needed one.
What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?
The lessons I’ve learned: Stop comparing my journey to others, as long as I have God’s approval, I don’t need validation from others to do what I am called to do, be intentional with business funds, it’s okay not to know every aspect of business it’s a learning process. Lastly, my story is important, and it should be shared.
What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I want the world to know that my heart is filled with passion for God, people, and business. I’ve faced challenges, doubts, fears, and insecurities in my journey, but I’ve also experienced the incredible power of trusting God and emerging stronger to pursue my purpose.

Champion Business Services was created to empower Christian women in business. I’m committed to inspiring women to conquer their fears, walk in their God-given potential, and rise as true champions in their entrepreneurial journeys.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In the morning, we’d kick off our day with a beginner’s hike on Mt. Rubidoux, and then grab a snack from the fruit cart afterward. One day, we’d treat ourselves to a relaxing day at The Spa at the Glen. On Thursdays, we couldn’t miss the farmers market, and we’d also check out the Los Angeles Vegan Depot, where all the vegan food vendors gather. Another stop on our adventure would be the San Diego Zoo, so get ready for lots of walking! And of course, we’ve got to make a pit stop at the Santa Monica Pier for some fun rides and games.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shoutout my husband, He has been a tremendous support throughout my MBA journey and this business transition. He has been a constant source of encouragement in moments of tears, excitement, and the rollercoaster of emotions that entrepreneurship often brings. Whether I’ve faced challenges or celebrated victories, he’s encouraged me to acknowledge and take moments to celebrate those wins. He consistently helps me see the bigger picture. I am thankful that we are on this journey together.

Website: https://www.championbusinessservices.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/championbusinessservices/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniyaclayton/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@elevateyourbusinessnow