Tamela Beene, residing in Westfield, New Jersey, embodies resilience and advocacy as she navigates her challenging journey with breast cancer. Born on September 9, 1978, in Richardson, Texas, Tamela’s life took a transformative turn when she was adopted by her aunt and uncle after the tragic loss of her mother. This early adversity instilled in her a profound strength and determination, which have been evident throughout her life’s endeavors.
Tamela pursued higher education at Texas Tech University, where she graduated in 2003 with a degree in marketing. During her college years, she engaged deeply in student life, serving as a senator at-large in the student government and joining Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. Her academic and extracurricular involvement laid a solid foundation for her professional and personal development.
After moving to New Jersey, Tamela embarked on a career in marketing, working for various firms before opening her own marketing agency in 2004. Her entrepreneurial venture lasted until 2007, after which she shifted her career towards education, becoming a full-time substitute teacher and a DECA advisor at Scotch Plains Fanwood High School. Her commitment to education and mentorship highlighted her dedication to influencing young lives positively.
In 2021, Tamela’s life was again altered by a diagnosis of stage 2 breast cancer, which progressed to stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, spreading to her bones by 2023. Throughout her treatment, Tamela has maintained a focus on advocacy and awareness, sharing her experiences to educate and support others facing similar battles. Her personal story is a testament to her unwavering spirit and commitment to making a difference in the community, particularly in raising awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection and supportive care.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Every day starts early with a morning workout because staying active is key for me, especially with my health challenges. After getting my son ready for school, I spend time on my physical therapy exercises and then catch up on emails and plan community events. I always carve out time in the afternoon for reading and research, which helps me stay informed and engaged.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Bringing ideas to life means starting with a clear plan and talking it through with friends and fellow volunteers. Whether it’s a fundraising event or a new support group, I sketch out the steps, gather the right people, and take it one day at a like getting everyone on board and excited.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m really excited by the trend towards more personalized medicine in cancer treatment. Knowing that treatments can be tailored specifically to each person’s genetic makeup gives me hope for future advancements in how we tackle diseases like cancer.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
A habit that keeps me productive is my daily journaling. It helps me organize my thoughts, plan my tasks, and keep my emotions in check, which is essential when managing both a household and a health condition.
What advice would you give your younger self?
If I could give advice to my younger self, I’d say, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” It’s important to focus on what truly matters, like health and family, and not get too caught up in the day-to-day annoyances.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe that finding a silver lining in every situation can make a big difference in life, even when others might think it’s unrealistic. Staying positive has helped me face my cancer with a stronger spirit.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
One thing I do repeatedly and recommend to everyone is to get involved in their community. It connects you with others, enriches your life, and can make a real difference in the world around you.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed or unfocused, I take a step back and go for a walk or head to the gym. Physical activity helps clear my mind, and I often come back with a fresh perspective and renewed focus.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
One strategy that really helped me was networking. Connecting with other local business owners and educators opened up opportunities I wouldn’t have found on my own. It’s all about who you know sometimes, and being active in the community really helped me get the word out about my projects and find resources for my teaching and advocacy work.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
One of my toughest times was when I had to close my marketing firm. It was hard, but I learned a lot about when to step back and reassess my goals. I shifted my focus to teaching, which was incredibly rewarding. The biggest lesson was that it’s okay to change direction. Your career path doesn’t have to be a straight line.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A great business idea I’d share is a fitness program designed specifically for cancer survivors. It would focus on gentle exercises tailored to each stage of recovery, helping survivors regain strength and confidence at their own pace. There’s a real need for specialized fitness advice in the recovery community.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
The software that keeps me on track is Google Calendar. It’s simple but so effective. I use it to schedule everything—my son’s school activities, my doctor’s appointments, and all my volunteer meetings. It sends me reminders so I never miss a thing, which is a lifesaver when you’re juggling as much as I am.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
My favorite book is “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi. It’s about a doctor facing his own terminal illness, and it resonated deeply with me. It’s beautifully written and incredibly moving, reminding me to make the most of every moment.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
A series I really enjoyed recently is “Ted Lasso.” It’s about an American coaching a British soccer team, but it’s so much more than that. It’s funny, heartwarming, and the characters really grow on you. It was just the uplifting kind of show I needed; it always put a smile on my face.
Key learnings
Adaptability is Crucial: Tamela’s ability to shift her career from marketing to education, and later to advocacy, highlights the importance of being adaptable in the face of life’s changes and challenges.
Community Engagement Enriches Life: Tamela emphasizes the value of community involvement, both for personal growth and for making a tangible impact in the lives of others, particularly through her advocacy and volunteer work.
Maintaining Positivity is Powerful: Despite facing significant health challenges, Tamela’s focus on finding the silver lining and staying positive has been a key strategy in managing her condition and inspiring others.