Meet Tab Butler | The Transportation Lady and Grant Writer

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

Hi Tab, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Tab’s Professional Transportation (TPT) was born from a simple request to go to the store. Over 2 years ago, my vehicle was in the repair shop and I needed to go to the store. I called a few transportation companies, turned on my Uber and Lyft apps and called a taxi cab but to no avail. The transportation companies were too expensive for what I needed. The Uber and Lyft apps kept turning and turning and the taxi cab company never returned my call. By no means was I rich but I was able to live a comfortable lifestyle with a great support system. I eventually ended up borrowing my friend’s car to take care of my errands. That really bothered me that a basic need, such as transportation, was not readily available and/or affordable for the less fortunate. After numerous days of thinking about it, I decided to do something about it so I started TPT, with a goal to provide a service that could help the youth, elderly and underserved.

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?
Tab’s Professional Transportation is my baby. We provide personal, private transportation to the airports, special events, doctor’s appointments and anything else that’s needed. There are plenty of transportation companies in this area and we all do the same thing…get you from point A to point B but the difference is the experience between the points. I operate based on how I would want to be treated. My friends say I’m extra…and I say thank you! I always aim to make my customers feel included, safe, special, valued and respected. I love that I have the authority and capability to make decisions that benefit others, not just me. Because lining my pockets is not always the main thing, I’m able to offer services to the underserved at reduced rates. I take special interest in the elderly who have family members living in other cities. There’s peace in knowing your elderly parents are okay. I’m proud to give family members that peace of mind. The journey has not been easy but oh so worth it! Learning along the way has its ups and downs but that’s what makes it interesting. If I could change one thing, it would be to be more consistent, even when it appears there’s no change. It’s important to expand the mind everyday. You can never learn enough because the world changes everyday. Each day, I build on what I learned the previous day, which builds confidence. Even in failure, confidence is built because now you know what NOT to do.

My other joint business adventures (grant writer and virtual assistant staffing service) were started because of my desire to change my little corner of the world. I had to learn to break down my goals into bite sized pieces and stay consistent. Basically, I’ve identified problems in society and now I offer solutions. My business coaches have opened my eyes to the joy, possibilities and advantages of serving others. It has been an incredible journey. I also formed a nonprofit organization, Love With Action, to specifically focus on supplying basic needs to the underserved, elderly and youth. I do not want my words to be empty…I want to make a difference in my community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my friend was visiting, I’d first take her to one of my favorite spots to eat…Pamburgers Grill-Reign Hall. They have one of the best veggie burgers and fries around and the owner is super nice! Next stop would be to hit up the ice cream shop for a scoop or two of butter pecan ice cream. We’d then make our way to several stores to check out the clearance racks. This is the easiest way to accumulate many things we don’t need just because they were on sale. Sometimes we remember that we would save so much money if we didn’t buy and sometimes we don’t care…we want it! Any place that we are, becomes the most fun place to be.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to shout out my best friend, Marilyn Harris and sister Deanna B. Gayle, for their support in all that I do. They provide key elements in my entrepreneurial journey. It’s very important to have cheerleaders in my corner to encourage, to enlighten, to guide, to tell me when I’m acting crazy, to shoot down ideas when I go too far and to be the shoulder to cry on when life doesn’t go my way. I’m grateful for our friendship. Kudos also go to Derrick Harper, Elle Williams and Joseph Hackett. These three people have set my future on a different path. Their insight and expertise on mindset and business development, business processes and grant writing have given me the confidence and knowledge to step out on faith and go after my dreams. Because of the people in my life, I’m stronger, wiser and a force to be reckoned with.

Website: www.tabbutler.net

Instagram: www.instagram.com/tabrbutler

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/tabithabutler

Twitter: www.twitter.com/tabbutler

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tabbutler

Other: Google review link: https://g.page/r/CZxbM9W9ZM5QEB0/review