Get to know Tyra Ivory, an African-American entrepreneur from Macon, Mississippi. She made history as one of the youngest Subway franchisees in the U.S. in 2022, owning a Subway fast food chain in Macon.
Her journey towards becoming an entrepreneur started when she was rejected from dental school. Her original plan was to become a dentist, but that changed after the rejection, and she decided to try entrepreneurship. It paid off for her.
“Anything is possible, and I know that it may sound cliché, but it has not been easy. My aspirations were to become a dentist, and literally before the offer came about, I was applying to dental school, and I didn’t get in. I didn’t understand then, but now I know why it did not,” Ivory told WCBI.
The entrepreneur attributes her business success to the support of her community and family. She was surrounded by people from her hometown and beyond who came to support her at her ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“So surround yourself with people who are going to push you, who are going to have strength for you when you don’t have strength, because that is how I have gotten here,” she said.
Ivory’s mother, Shelleen Farmer, is her biggest supporter and was to be right beside her.
“I’m proud of her for taking on the adventure and for being still long enough to do it. I’ve taught all three of my girls to work together, so even though it’s her here, it’s us. We’re one,” said Farmer.
Reflecting on her journey, Ivory, now 29, said her advice to potential entrepreneurs would be to believe in “yourself.”
Meanwhile, Ivory plans to pass this business on to her family in the future and teach them to follow their dreams.
Ivory, who holds a master’s degree from Texas Southern University, an HBCU, also encouraged others to chase their dreams and ask for help when needed.
“I will say to anyone, if this is something you want to pursue and anything beyond you becoming a subway franchisee, teacher, or doctor, go after it and do not be afraid to ask for help, and I do not take no for an answer. I asked and used my resources, and that has gotten me so far,” she said.
