Her family has been in the public eye for years, but one thing about Towanda Braxton: what you see is what you get.
She is a multi-talented individual who has not just relied on her beauty to make it in the world. She is a real talent that can sing, run a business and still keep it real as millions are able to see on Braxton Family Values.
It was my pleasure to speak with her about not just her journey in the entertainment industry, her venture called The Secret Squirrel and her remaining true to herself.
TOWANDA ON THE SECRET SQUIRREL:
"I came in [this business] as an artist first, and then I became an assistant. Through The Secret Squirrel I ask those who want to be personal assistants to answer this question: 'How would I want my assistant to treat me?'
"You want to be indispensable. You want it to be difficult for them to replace you.If you are going to do treat people the way you want to be treated you're going to do a great job."
TOWANDA ON PERSONAL GREATNESS:
"I'm still on that journey. I don't think I will ever reach that plateau because I'm a perfectionist. It makes me want to strive to do better all the time."
TOWANDA ON REALITY TV AND BRAXTON FAMILY VALUES:
Our family made a pact that if we were going to do it [a reality show] then we were going to be 100% real. No sense in doing it if it wasn't real. That is what people get from the show: the realness."
TOWANDA ON SUCCESS:
"If I can help somebody then I am doing my job. Everybody has hiccups along the way to be the person who they are and who they were meant to be. The things that I have gone through in life have made me stronger."
TOWANDA ON LIFE, FAMILY AND PURPOSE:
"What keeps me going is my children. They keep me grounded and laughing.
"Enough is just not enough for me. I always strive to be better than I am. When it comes to The Secret Squirrel I don't like interviewing people who know it all. Everybody should learn something new everyday.
"I think I have many purposes: my business, acting, etc. I meet people all of the time who change my life. It doesn't matter how old they are."
TOWANDA ADVICE FOR OTHERS:
"A person should find their niche and stick with it. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do. You can't live for everybody. You have to live for you. Ask yourself this question: Are you making yourself happy today?"
To stay updated on everything going on with Towanda Braxton and her brand visit www.towandabraxton.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/towandabraxton and "Like" her Facebook page.
* Photo provided courtesy of Towanda Braxton
