Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Wills.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey began long before I officially founded Bridging the Gap Youth Program in 2018. I spent more than 15 years working in customer service and over 13 years in advertising, marketing, promotions, branding, and event coordination. Those experiences taught me how to communicate with people, build relationships, recognize potential, and connect individuals and businesses with the right opportunities.
Throughout my career, I repeatedly saw talented young people, families, and entrepreneurs who had great ideas but lacked access to resources, guidance, exposure, or the right connections. I realized that my ability to bring people together could be used for something bigger. That realization became the foundation of Bridging the Gap Youth Program.
I created Bridging the Gap to meet people where they are and connect youth and families with entrepreneurship, mentorship, technology, creative arts, workforce development, and community resources. What began as a vision has grown into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works with businesses, community leaders, government agencies, schools, and other organizations to create meaningful opportunities. Our programs include Young CEOs, youth innovation and technology experiences, workforce exposure, mentoring, family support, community events, and platforms where young people can discover and develop their talents.
As I continued working with families and business owners, I also recognized that many entrepreneurs needed help building their brands, promoting their services, and connecting with the community. That led me to create Grow Your Brand, a branding, marketing, promotions, and business-development platform that works alongside Bridging the Gap. I believe that when we help small businesses grow, we also create more resources, partnerships, and opportunities for the communities they serve.
Over time, people began calling me “Coco the Plug” because connecting people has always been one of my greatest strengths. I connect people to information, resources, partnerships, platforms, and opportunities that can help them move forward. For me, being “the plug” is not simply about knowing people—it is about building purposeful relationships and using those connections to help others grow.
Getting to where I am today has required persistence, faith, creativity, and the willingness to keep building even when resources were limited. I have learned how to turn ideas into programs, conversations into partnerships, and challenges into opportunities for service. Today, I am continuing to grow Bridging the Gap and Grow Your Brand while expanding our partnerships, pursuing funding and contracted programming, and developing more opportunities for youth, families, entrepreneurs, and communities.
I am proud of how far we have come, but I still believe this is only the beginning. My goal is to continue bridging gaps, opening doors, and creating sustainable pathways that allow people—especially young people—to see what is possible for their lives.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not always been a smooth road. Building a nonprofit and a business at the same time has required a great deal of sacrifice, patience, and persistence. One of the biggest challenges has been having a large vision while working with limited funding, staff, and resources. There were many times when I had to serve as the executive director, marketer, event coordinator, fundraiser, program developer, and community outreach person—all at once.
Another challenge has been finding people who not only believe in the mission but are also prepared to remain consistent and follow through. When assignments were not completed or commitments changed, I often stepped in to make sure the youth, families, and community partners were not disappointed. That created an overwhelming workload and taught me the importance of structure, accountability, clear expectations, and delegation.
Funding has also been an ongoing struggle. Many community organizations are doing important work but do not always have immediate access to the financial support they need. I have learned how to be creative, build partnerships, utilize the resources available to me, and continue serving even when the budget did not match the vision.
There have also been moments when people did not fully understand the connection between my nonprofit work, business development, branding, events, and community outreach. However, each part of my work serves the same purpose: connecting people with opportunities and building stronger communities.
The journey has taught me that passion alone is not enough. You need systems, reliable partnerships, financial sustainability, healthy boundaries, and a team that understands the responsibility behind the mission. I am still learning and growing, but every challenge has helped me become a stronger, more strategic leader.
I have had difficult moments, but I have never allowed them to make me give up. Instead, I use those experiences to improve, rebuild, and keep moving forward. The road has not been easy, but it has been meaningful—and every young person, family, or entrepreneur we have helped reminds me why the journey is worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the Founder and Executive Director of Bridging the Gap Youth Program, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018, and the creator of Grow Your Brand. My work brings together nonprofit leadership, youth development, entrepreneurship, branding, marketing, event coordination, promotions, sponsorship development, and community partnerships.
Through Bridging the Gap, we connect youth and families with opportunities in entrepreneurship, technology, innovation, creative arts, mentorship, workforce development, and community support. Our programs include Young CEOs, youth innovation experiences, gaming and mentoring activities, talent development, family resources, community events, and BTG Works—our workforce and career-exposure initiative.
Grow Your Brand supports entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and emerging brands through marketing strategy, promotional campaigns, event planning, business visibility, sponsorship development, networking, and meaningful community connections. I help people take their ideas and turn them into clear, actionable opportunities.
I am known as “Coco the Plug” because connecting people is one of my greatest strengths. I promote, connect, and create opportunities. Whether someone needs a resource, partnership, event platform, business connection, sponsor, mentor, or a place to showcase their talent, I work to bridge that gap. However, I do more than make introductions—I focus on creating relationships that are purposeful and mutually beneficial.
What sets me apart is my ability to connect the nonprofit, business, and community worlds. I understand that small businesses need visibility and growth, while youth and families need resources and opportunities. I create partnerships where those goals can support one another. A business may gain exposure through one of our events while also helping provide an opportunity for a young person or family. That is what I mean when I say, “Grow Your Brand is Bridging the Gap.”
I am most proud of the opportunities we have created for young people. I have watched youth discover talents, build confidence, develop business ideas, gain real-world experience, and begin turning their skills into income and career pathways. I am also proud that Bridging the Gap has continued growing since 2018 and has built trusted relationships with families, entrepreneurs, businesses, government agencies, and community organizations.
My work is rooted in meeting people where they are. I do not believe everyone needs the same solution. I listen, identify what is missing, and help connect the right people, resources, and opportunities. What makes this work special is that it is not simply about hosting programs or promoting businesses—it is about building an ecosystem in which youth, families, entrepreneurs, and communities can grow together.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My advice is to build genuine relationships before asking people for something. Networking should not be about collecting contacts—it should be about learning who people are, understanding what they do, and identifying ways you can support one another.
When looking for a mentor, find someone whose experience, character, and results align with where you are trying to go. Be clear about what you need guidance with, respect their time, come prepared with specific questions, and be willing to apply what they teach you. A mentor can provide valuable direction, but you must still be responsible for doing the work.
What has worked well for me is consistently showing up in different spaces, introducing myself, listening to people’s stories, and following up after the initial conversation. I attend community events, business meetings, networking gatherings, workshops, and online conversations. I also create my own spaces where entrepreneurs, leaders, families, and community partners can connect.
I have learned that some of the strongest relationships begin with asking, “How can I support you?” instead of immediately explaining what I need. When people see that you are sincere, consistent, and willing to bring value, trust develops naturally.
Follow-up is also extremely important. A meaningful conversation can easily become a missed opportunity if no one reconnects afterward. Send the email, make the call, schedule the meeting, and keep your word. Your reputation is built through consistency and follow-through.
Finally, do not limit yourself to networking only with people who look like you, work in your industry, or appear to be further ahead. Valuable connections can come from unexpected places. Be open, be authentic, and remember that networking is not only about who can open a door for you—it is also about the doors you can help open for someone else.
Pricing:
- BTG Spotlight $50
- BTG Small Business Sponsorship $150-$500
- BTG Corporate Sponsorship $500-$5000
- Website Placement 3mon 6mon 12mon price based on space
- BTG Venues/Pop Ups Biz Promo Starting at $299
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.btgyp.org
