Community Highlights: Meet Tina Fowler of Tina Marie the Bridge Builder

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Fowler. 

Hi Tina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I am a mother to two daughters and grandmother to two grandchildren, I was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and relocated to Phoenix, Arizona in 2008. 

I am lifelong entrepreneur- I initially started out looking to simply be a business owner and business coach. I believe the key to a successful business begins by creating bridges. It’s important to use these “bridges” as a way to share business resources and platforms. 

I relocated to Phoenix, Arizona in 2008. Through my love of God, family, the desire to heal and empower other women, 

I created a recipe of authentic sisterhood that I hope to impart on other like-minded women throughout the world. 

In 2014, I founded Tina Marie The Bridge Builder (TMTBB), an organization focused on empowering women to build stronger communities and sisterhoods. TMTBB has provided women across the greater Phoenix-metro area a place to learn, network, and thrive both professionally and socially regardless of age, status, or background. Through group events, public speaking engagements, and team-building exercises, TMTBB’s values are centered on healing, inspiring, and creating awareness around common issues affecting women. I quickly learned that middle-aged women needed the most support. 

They needed a space that officially belonged to them. I developed a professional social club to serve the desires and needs of the middle-aged woman: 

The Bridge Builders Social Club. 

The club was recently launched in January of 2021 and we already have over 50 members with the majority of them residing in the state of AZ, however; we have members in Wisconsin, Louisiana, Texas, California, and Cape Town, South Africa! 

I have been featured on ABC and Fox News for the work that my organization does for women! 

I am building a community that represents authentic sisterhood. 

Creating sisterhoods is how we give back to our communities. 

We are are sisters keepers. We are bridge builders. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
No!!! Lol. But with the struggles came strength! Organizing events for a club of women had its challenges- making sure all of the women understood that we were with each other to intentionally bring out the best in each other and that no hidden agendas will be allowed. For the most part, it was understood. But there were some issues early on. But it was all a part of the growing pains. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Tina Marie the Bridge Builder?
The Bridge Builders Social Club is a nonprofit organization that hosts and facilitates events, social outings, workshops, and seminars for the empowerment and healing of middle-aged women. And the support of the social club gives them the courage to begin again! 

We teach middle-aged women that starting late is okay! They can start businesses, go back to school, heal from broken marriages, and being empty nesters. They are taught that they deserve a chance to continue to grow and develop and be role models to their children and also become pillars of their communities. 

The Bridge Builders offers business coaching, health and wellness activities, social outings, financial literacy courses, and mental health care workshops to its members. 

I also host an annual event; Mimosas and Mammograms. I created this event to make what could be a scary procedure into something fun and supportive. 

I also host another annual event that supports black women in business; (Girls Day Party and Champagne Brunch) we host over 30 women business owners -showcasing their products and services. Over 150 women attend this event. 

My organization is geared towards middle-aged women- that is the biggest thing that sets my organization apart from other women empowerment organizations. It’s also what I am most proud of. – Middle-aged women are undervalued and underserved. I am cultivating spaces for them so this is no longer had to be their narrative. 

I would like for the readers to understand the importance of supporting middle-aged women. Women are the self of the earth (in my opinion) an empowered woman can have huge impact on the lives of others around her. Let’s not allow age to stop us from valuing women over the age of 50. 

What matters most to you? Why?
Publicly Celebrating other women!!! What’s more empowering than that. 🙂 It puts out AMAZING energy!!! 

Celebrating women publicly gives them strength and hope. And it teaches them to openly celebrate other women. 

It’s a beautiful domino effect. 

Contact Info:

• Email: tinamariethebridgebuilder@yahoo.com
• Website: www.tinamariethebridgebuilder.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinamariethebridgebuilder/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tinamariethebridgebuilder/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiTyK3FpTUJr1BaWFFQnKvA

Image Credits
Martez Cornelius