From Ecommerce Pioneer to Your Trusted Guide
My journey in ecommerce began in the early days of eBay, when online selling was still considered experimental and risky. Over the past two decades, I’ve built two successful ecommerce brands, led large teams, and navigated every challenge the industry has thrown at entrepreneurs.
But my path to becoming a TikTok Shop consultant wasn’t planned—it was born from necessity, frustration, and a desire to protect other business owners from the costly mistakes I’ve made.
The Hard-Learned Lessons
When I started my beauty brand, I was full of optimism and big dreams. Like many entrepreneurs, I believed that hiring “experts” and investing in the right tools would fast-track my success. Instead, I got an expensive education in what doesn’t work.
I was scammed by:
- Ecommerce apps that promised miraculous results
- Agencies that took my money and delivered nothing
- Freelancers who disappeared with deposits
- Influencers who inflated their metrics
- Suppliers who couldn’t deliver what they promised
Each disappointment was costly—not just financially, but emotionally. The stress of being let down repeatedly while trying to build a business is something no entrepreneur should have to endure alone.
Turning Pain into Purpose
Through trial and error, research, and sheer determination, I learned to identify what actually works. I developed systems to vet partners, strategies to avoid common pitfalls, and methods to maximize every marketing dollar spent.
As my expertise grew, something unexpected happened. Friends started asking for advice. Fellow entrepreneurs at industry events began seeking my input on their challenges. Time and time again, I found myself helping others avoid the same costly mistakes I’d made.
The feedback was consistent: “You should do consulting. You’ve saved me more money and headaches in one conversation than months of working with agencies.”
Why I Started This Consulting Practice
I didn’t set out to become a consultant, but I realized I had something valuable to offer: real experience with what works and what doesn’t. While agencies pitch theoretical solutions, I provide guidance based on actual successes and failures.
My mission is simple: Save other businesses from the heartache, wasted money, and lost time that comes from working with the wrong partners or using ineffective strategies.
My Unique Approach
Having built and scaled two ecommerce brands while managing large teams, I understand business challenges from multiple perspectives:
Strategic Leadership
- MBA from University of Maryland University College
- Experience growing teams from startup to scale
- Understanding of both operational and strategic challenges
Hands-On Experience
- Two decades in ecommerce, from eBay’s early days to TikTok Shop
- Built and sold successful brands
- Navigated platform changes and market evolution
Real-World Problem Solving I can advise on virtually every aspect of ecommerce because I’ve lived it:
- Cost Optimization: Finding budget without sacrificing results
- Advertising Strategy: What actually drives profitable growth
- Product Development: From concept to market success
- Affiliate Marketing: Building partnerships that deliver
- Retail Relationships: Working effectively with major retailers
- Agency Management: Identifying legitimate partners vs. scammers
What Sets Me Apart from Other Consultants
1. Authentic Experience I’m not teaching theory—I’m sharing strategies I’ve personally used to build successful businesses. Every recommendation comes from real-world testing and results.
2. Scam Prevention Focus Having been burned myself, I have a unique ability to help clients identify and avoid fraudulent service providers, saving them thousands in potential losses.
3. Comprehensive Expertise While many consultants specialize in one area, my two decades in ecommerce give me insights across all aspects of online business building.
4. Current Market Knowledge As the founder of two active companies, I stay current with market trends, platform changes, and emerging opportunities.
My Companies Today
I currently serve as founder of two companies, which keeps me actively engaged in the challenges modern ecommerce businesses face. This ongoing experience ensures that my consulting advice remains current, practical, and immediately applicable.
This dual role—active entrepreneur and consultant—gives me a unique perspective that purely theoretical consultants cannot offer.
The TikTok Shop Breakthrough
When TikTok Shop launched in the US, I saw an opportunity to apply my decades of ecommerce experience to a completely new platform. While others hesitated, I dove in, becoming one of the first brands to succeed on the platform.
This early adoption, combined with my deep ecommerce background, gave me insights that few others possess. I didn’t just learn TikTok Shop—I understood how it fit into the broader ecommerce ecosystem and how to leverage traditional ecommerce principles for social commerce success.
My Commitment to You
When you work with me, you’re not just getting a consultant—you’re getting a partner who has walked in your shoes. I understand the stress of cash flow challenges, the frustration of failed marketing campaigns, and the heartbreak of being let down by service providers.
My promise:
- Honest assessments of what will and won’t work for your business
- Strategies based on proven results, not theoretical frameworks
- Guidance that helps you avoid costly mistakes
- Support from someone who genuinely wants to see you succeed
Why This Matters
The ecommerce industry is full of people selling dreams and taking money from hardworking entrepreneurs. Having been on the receiving end of these schemes, I’m passionate about providing the authentic guidance I wish I’d had when starting out.
Every business owner deserves access to honest, experienced advice that actually helps them grow. That’s what I provide—not because I read it in a book or learned it in a course, but because I lived it, succeeded with it, and want to share it with others.
Ready to work with someone who’s actually been there?
Let’s talk about how my experience can help you avoid the pitfalls and accelerate your success.
Tanya Bourque holds an MBA from University of Maryland University College and is the founder of two ecommerce companies. She has been active in ecommerce since the early days of eBay and was one of the first US brands to achieve viral success on TikTok Shop.
Ready to Transform Your Results?
Join the growing community of creators who’ve said goodbye to failed agency promises and hello to real TikTok Shop success. In just one personalized strategy session, you’ll get the clarity, direction, and proven frameworks that have helped hundreds of brands break through their biggest challenges and start seeing consistent results.