Meet Tanisha Middleton | Ceo of Framed By Tee Tee & Optician

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

Hi Tanisha, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
This honestly is the prime question us entrepreneurs ask ourselves daily. To be frankly honest, the answer to the question is personal. I would correlate your relationship with your brand like any other solid relationship in your life. A partnership, a true commitment , an investment of time, money, energy, patience, research, studying, training and never ending learning. Oh and lots of money (did I mention money lol).

Like any other relationship, a strong foundation is needed. This is where your business ethics, principles and values come into play. These are core essentials in order for your business to have its foundational structure prepared for growth or the potential crumble.

If you approach business, like a non committal relationship it will treat you just as such. True commitment is to grow with, nourish and learn your partner (your brand). Being sure to make to time to do the background work initially on your self (your ideas) so that when union is presented ( brand emerging) you are prepared to fully commit. Now I must say, commitment issues most certainly will arise throughout your relationship with business. Entrepreneurship is an emotional rollercoaster with high possibly of exhaustion, anxiety, stress, financial instability and the list goes on. But what they fail to mention is that with each foundational tool that you have, MUST be implemented in order to get to the next level of achievement. Each level in business will require different things from you. It’s like a series of challenges that you must conquer in order to be able to live the dreams manifested through your brand.

Giving up can be fairly easy or hard to do depending on where your relationship with your brand is. But such as a desired lifelong commitment, only YOU can say when you’re ready to walk away. Only YOU can determine when enough is enough. Are your investments not returning, long nights of sleepless hours, countless marketing strategies that don’t immediately show brand progress are just a few things people may consider when deciding to walk away.

I personally am all in. Im invested so deep that there are no guidelines for ” if this doesn’t work out”. I’m wholeheartedly committed to my relationship with my brand. Like any other relationship, we have our turbulent moments. During those specific moments, we are simply forced to realign with our true desire for this commitment. Navigating through this relationship with business had provoked personal evolution in ALL avenues of this life. As a woman, as black woman in business, as a mother, as an employer, and as a BOSS.

My last piece of advice would be to ask yourself, are you delusional or determined?!? My personal answer would be a good mix of both but nonetheless to keep going is my only option.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Framed By Tee Tee is fashion forward prescription eyewear. Curated, owned an operated by African American NYS licensed optician Tanisha Middleton. We have an array of fashionable frames for ages 5 years and up. We also provide personal frame fitting services with our team of eyewear consultants who are skillfully trained in walking you through your prescription lens purchase. We accept FSA(Flexible spending), payment plans and the most affordable eye care. FramedByTeeTee.com has a variety of new features including our virtual mirror which allows you to try on our signature styles from your mobile device, laptop or tablet.

Biggest obstacle, honestly is first being an African American female pillar in the world of optics. It’s almost unheard of or taboo although most instruments used in this practice were built by the hands of my ancestors.

Our mission at Framed By Tee Tee is to bring a luxury optical experience like no other. Our clients usually come to us in need of prescription assistance, affordable eye care, fashionable eyewear. Our team of eyewear consultants are what truly make us unique. We offer out patient services in which we bring our signature collection of eyewear to the client’s preferred location, fit them in their personal pair of new eyewear, walking them through their entire prescription lens purchase. Clients receive their brand new eyewear in 10 days via mail. Our clients LOVE this service. We have eyewear for all genders ages 5 and up. For our elderly clients who may need extra assistance, they really enjoy this added feature.

We seek to solve the issues of lack of minority demographics in optics. Continuing to educate our community on the importance of optics. Encouraging the career paths in ophthalmics to bring diversity to its owners table. We intend to always be able to provide employment opportunities for minorities. We also host an array of classes through our “Framed By Tee Tee Academy” which is designed to train aspiring optical techs.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
NYC Itinerary as per Tanisha Middleton-

Monday- Spa day @ King Day Spa ( New Jersey 20 mins from Manhattan, we would have cocktails and light asian inspired food while enjoy our full body clay scrubs.

Tuesday- We Go For Tacos! – Tacos and Tequila at my favorite Mexican restaurant “Cliente Cab” in Lower Manhattan

Wednesday- Its Wing Wednesday! so we would head over to the “Kettle Black” (Nyc) Known to have the best wings in town! we will end things Wednesday night late with a comedy show located in Williamsurg Brooklyn.

Thursday- Brunch @ peaches restaurant then after we will hit up happy hour at the ” magic hour” rooftop lounge in Manhattan NYC

Friday- Ladies Night! – We would be sure to wear our freak-em dresses as we arrive to the hottest nightclub in Chelsea “Taj”. The drinks would flow all night and the dj never stops!

Saturday- we probably may need to recoup after Friday night lol, so we can start with breakfast at cafeteria located in Manhattan 17th and 7 ave to be exact. start the day with a few mimosas, and prepare for a day out shopping.
We would shop the 34th street Macys, 5th ave luxury shops ( Gucci, Prada, Dior) and end the evening with dinner at one of my absolute fav’s ” FOGO DE CHOW” Brazilian steakhouse!

Sunday, we would unwind- start the day with some outside yoga in Central Park, Visit the museum of natural history while we sneak in our flasks filled with the best wine and wine down with dinner at “Wo hop” a hidden gem in china town with the absolute best Chinese food!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to dedicate this to all FramedByTeeTee.com supporters, clients, staff, and anyone who assisted with our journey to success. It’s because of your support that we are able to keep growing. We appreciate you!

Website: https://www.framedbyteetee.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/framedbyteetee