Today we’d like to introduce you to Tahmina Q.
Tahmina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My first job in the media industry was what we now call a social media manager, though that title didn’t exist yet before Instagram really established it. I was hired by a major social club in Toronto as their “live media” person. Essentially, I posted online about real-time events and kept the venue’s Facebook and Twitter pages active with status updates and pictures.
Fast forward, I developed a strong interest in the online world and chose to go back to college to enhance my skills in graphic design, website design, and media communication. This decision later landed me a job at Canada’s biggest influencer marketing agency, Viral Nation. While actively engaged in my day-to-day job there, I networked heavily in Toronto, running my own social-business events like Girls Who Hustle and The Social Wave, and assisting other local brands in elevating their online presence.
At this point, I knew there was a need for someone like me in the city, but I hadn’t yet figured out how to package myself to offer a distinctive service menu. During this time, the title of social media manager really took off in the industry, and people began hiring me to manage their social media accounts and create content for their brands. That’s when my agency, The Brand Agents, started to form. I began taking on my own clients and eventually left my day job at the influencer marketing agency once I had enough clients and a full roster of active brands that wanted to work with me.
I continued to take on various roles under my agency—sometimes as a social media manager, content creator, website designer, graphic designer, email marketer, PR person—and subcontracted other creatives and talents for projects. My agency started to gain recognition around Toronto and grew a name for itself, being featured on local TV channels, podcasts, and in magazines.
Fast forward to today, over the past six years, I’ve been able to adopt a more strategic approach and refine my service menu. With a better understanding of my clients, I’ve transformed my agency into a firm specializing in brand management, brand consultancy, and partnerships. We now collaborate with celebrity trainers, large influencers, and significant brands, expanding beyond Toronto and into the U.S. market.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not! But, in the same breath, it hasn’t been too rough either. I will give myself credit for learning lessons quickly. After dealing with a car accident and some health issues throughout this entrepreneurial journey, I was able to understand the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and balancing work with self-care. At certain points in my career, I compromised my well-being to be ‘successful.’ Unfortunately, these are common struggles for business owners because the pressure of sustaining a fully functioning company independently, especially in the first couple of years when it matters the most, can drive a hyper-focus on growing the company and doing everything possible to ensure desired results. However, in this mental space, there’s often a tendency to overwork and isolate oneself, putting personal life on the back burner and depleting energy into the career instead of health, wellness, or a healthy social life—things that matter in the grander scope of life.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Brand Agents. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Brand Agents is a firm specializing in brand management.They have built a reputation for helping businesses elevate their online presence and grow their brands through strategic collaborations and personalized service offerings.
Owner of The Brand Agents, Tahmina Q, is based in Toronto / LA, specializing in Brand Management and Partnerships for sports and entertainment. With a career spanning 13 years, Tahmina has honed her skills in the curation of brand development, consultancy and brand partnerships. Her diverse client roster is a testament to her expertise, having worked with names like Daniel ‘Booby’ Gibson, Nick Cannon, PJ Tuckers ‘The Better Generation’, Eric Small, ESPN Cleveland, Body By Chosen, Jaguar Canada and the list goes on.
Tahmina’s achievements extend beyond her client portfolio, earning her media coverage from reputable outlets such as Walk in My Stilettos Podcast, Bold Journey, Voyage Magazine, Flow93.5 Radio station, and more. She continues to excel by connecting with a broad range of industries and emphasizing the human element in businesses’ online presence.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I don’t think too many people are aware that I’m from a Pakistani ethnic background and I’m bilingual—I can speak Urdu as well. It’s interesting because, although I may not share too much of my personal world online, I want to emphasize that my company, The Brand Agents, is owned and operated by a woman of color. This is very important to me, especially as I get older.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thebrandagents.com
- Instagram: @tahmina__q / @thebrandagents
