Towan Isom.

owan Isom is an author, speaker and entrepreneur. Despite humble beginnings, Towan managed to obtain $1 million in real estate by age 25 and started a successful marketing firm at age 27. “Yet with all my worldly accomplishments, I didn’t have peace or joy,” says Towan.

Family dynamics

Towan was born in North Carolina. When she was 8 years old, she, her younger brother and her mother moved to the inner city of Washington, D.C. “My mother, brother and I ended up living in a rooming house with three other families,” Towan remembers.

As a single mother, Towan’s mother Theretha couldn’t provide a lot; but she did demonstrate love to young Towan. “My childhood was bittersweet. Bitter in that we had no money, sweet because my mother was the best in the world,” Towan says.

Towan especially appreciates her mother because she never had a relationship with her father. She says, “My father was on drugs when I was younger. He has never been a part of my life. My most important relationship is with my mother. I absolutely adore her. I constantly make efforts (with my time) to show her how much I appreciate her.”

She laments that so many children are growing up without a father figure. She is thankful for the relationship she has with her stepfather, Zale. “Zale is like an adoptive father to me. When I get married, he’s the one who will walk me down the aisle.”

Church relationships

Towan did not go to church as a young child. But when she was 12 years old, she asked her mother to drop her off at a church. “My mom had no idea what I was going to do, but I walked in, went to the altar and gave my life to Christ. I know it is odd that a 12-year-old would be drawn to Christ with no prompting and make such a commitment. Eventually I joined the church and was baptized. It would be years later before I came into a real relationship with God,” Towan says.

“In my early 20s, I landed a dream job at Black Entertainment Television. I made a lot of money and had access to popular people. I partied at the hot spots, drank with celebrities, dined at the finest restaurants and owned three homes. The outside looked great, but on the inside I was unfulfilled and spiritually bankrupt.” 

By 1999, Towan only went to church because she was attracted to one of the men who attended. “I continued to vacillate between the world and the walk with Christ,” Towan admits. However, God used her church attendance despite her motives.

By 2000 she was ready to build a spiritual foundation with God. It was then that a good friend sponsored Towan’s attendance at a women’s retreat. “That retreat changed my life forever,” Towan states. “It was the first time I witnessed dynamic women of God in action. I previously thought Christian women were conservative, dry and boring. But I found outspoken, bold, gifted women of God. I was intrigued by their passion and thought, ‘Where do I sign up for that? How can I give that passion to other people?’”

After that retreat, Towan truly made God the Lord of her life. She devoted herself to fasting, praying and studying God’s Word. She became particularly partial to the Old Testament, especially the wisdom in Proverbs. Eventually she acquired the passion she saw at that retreat. An added blessing occurred recently. As Towan’s mother watched Towan’s walk with God, two years ago she became a Christian herself.

Girlfriend power

Towan credits her business and spiritual success to some deep, meaningful friendships. She considers herself blessed to have so many friends. Towan has had six best girlfriends for over 15 years. She loves to cook and stays connected by inviting her friends to her house to eat and hang out.

Her good friend Erika is someone she treasures. “I don’t have a lot of patience with people. That would be one of my faults. Erika is one of the most patient people I know.” The two work, fellowship, play and pray together. Towan says Erika is a huge influence on both her business and spiritual growth.

Towan has not yet found the man God has for her but has great advice for singles. “The truth is when you are living for purpose, you worry less about being single and more about succeeding in what God has called you to do. Live your life! Create your own adventures. Two years ago I moved to London for several months to write my book. I traveled to Madrid and the English countryside, like something out of a Jane Austen novel. I have yet to meet anyone working in their purpose who is complaining about being single.”

Business advice

Debra Lee and Towan Isom at Viacom.

With family, friends and God, Towan still manages to run two successful businesses. In 1998, she launched ISOM Events, a national marketing firm that works primarily with existing companies to transform their traditional marketing efforts to appeal to multicultural consumers.

In 1999, Towan founded Spiritually Speaking in an attempt to provide fun opportunities for Christians. Later the business evolved to programs that focus on helping Christians grow spiritually and emotionally. The organization sponsors several activities including an annual ski retreat and a Married Couples Tell All panel discussion for those seeking information and encouragement in relationships.

Towan encourages business women to excel in education, excellence and experience. She adds, “People will look at what you have learned, what you have perfected and what you have done.”

“I want to live my life to the fullest. I recognize that my life is the summation of my decisions yesterday, but my destiny is the new decision I make starting today.”

Towan admits her life is great, but not perfect. “In the past, I didn’t realize that God had a great plan for my life. I didn’t have the faith. I wasn’t confident. Now I expect greatness is just around the corner for me, I just need to keep walking towards it.”

Towan’s first book “Chasing Greatness: The Young Professional’s Guide to a Dynamic Life” is about her professional experience and offers strategies for living a God-honoring, dynamic and focused professional and personal life. 

To find out more visit www.chasinggreatness.com or www.spirtuallyspeak.com