Tamesha Kinloch Carter

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

Hello! My name is Tamesha Kinloch Carter. I am originally from Huger, South Carolina, a small town just outside of Charleston. I am the second oldest of six children to my wonderful parents Juanita and Nathaniel Kinloch Sr. For more than 20 years, I have called the Augusta, Georgia area home.

I am a wife, mother, grandmother, entrepreneur, and a creative visionary. My wonderful husband Kyle and I have been married for 22 years. Together we have three amazing adult children, and one beautiful granddaughter.

My passion lies in creating meaningful and memorable experiences. I am the founder of FMTY Luxury Group LLC, the parent company of FMTY Weddings & Events and FMTY Corporate Events. I am also the founder of Carine Media & Publishing, LLC and the Editor-in-Chief of The Planner Wedding and Lifestyle Magazine. In addition, I am the host of The Did You Say Something? podcast, where I use honest conversations and shared experiences to encourage others.

And something fun about me: I genuinely enjoy a good glass of wine. For me, wine is about more than what is in the glass; it represents connection, conversation and creating moments worth remembering.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now?

One thing I love most about living in Augusta, Georgia is the strong sense of community. Although I have lived here for more than 20 years, I never take for granted the people I have connected with along the way. We genuinely support, encourage and pour into one another, and that makes Augusta feel like home. And of course Masters season brings an energy and excitement to our city that is truly special.

Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?

FMTY began with a simple belief: serving people and being trusted with their important moments should never be taken for granted. However, my journey in the event industry began when my best friend, LaTina, asked me to help plan her wedding. Other than planning my own wedding, I had never planned one before.

After the wedding, the late Rev. Clifford Williams told me that I had a gift for planning and coordination. As a professional caterer, he had been in the industry for over 20 years and strongly encouraged me to become a certified event planner because there were very few certified planners serving the Augusta area at that time. His and my best friend's encouragement helped me recognize a gift within myself and ultimately led me to pursue this work professionally.

Today FMTY Luxury Group provides wedding and corporate event planning, executive retreats, and curated wine experiences. At the heart of our work is giving clients the freedom to be fully present. We manage the planning, logistics, and execution so they can enjoy their experience without carrying the weight of every detail. Although we are a boutique company, we operate in a spirit of excellence and are committed to going above and beyond for every client we serve. None of this would be possible without my dedicated team. Their creativity, professionalism and commitment allow us to deliver the level of service and excellence our clients deserve.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

My advice to anyone who wants to start a business is to take your time and resist the pressure to rush the process. Passion is important, but passion also needs preparation and structure. Do the foundational work, remain open to learning, and understand that it is OK when something does not work the first time.

I've been on this entrepreneurial road for many years, and I am still building, learning, and discovering new ways to grow. Entrepreneurship requires you to remain teachable because there will always be something new to learn.

Most importantly, do not allow one unsuccessful approach to make you give up on the vision. If one way does not work, there are many other ways to move forward.

Continue to believe in yourself, have faith in who you are as an entrepreneur, and remain committed to what God has placed on your heart to do.

What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won't forget about?

One piece of feedback I will never forget came from a client who told me how much they appreciated my attention to even the smallest details. They shared that I had created the perfect atmosphere before their guests ever entered the room, allowing them to relax and enjoy the occasion. Hearing afterward that their attendees continued to talk about how amazing everything looked and felt was incredibly meaningful to me. It reminded me that the details people may not immediately notice are often the very things that shape how they experience and remember an event.

Where do you see your company in the future?

I see FMTY Luxury Group LLC expanding its reach throughout the United States and globally. My vision is for us to serve clients in different markets, while continuing to provide the personal attention, thoughtful details, and the spirit of excellence that define who we are.

I want FMTY to be boutique by design, but international in reach, growing in a way that allows us to create exceptional experiences without losing the care and connection our clients value.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

The biggest misconception about the event industry is that all we do is plan parties and have fun. What people see is the finished celebration, but they rarely see the hours of strategy, planning, budgeting, vendor coordination, logistics, and problem-solving that happened behind the scenes.

A successful event requires far more than choosing decor and showing up on the day. We anticipate challenges, manage countless moving parts, and ensure every detail works together. If it looks effortless to the guest, that usually means the event professional has done their job well.

What has been one of your biggest struggle building your business and how did you deal with it?

One of my biggest struggles in building my business has been staying encouraged. Entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey, especially when the people around you cannot see your vision as clearly as you do. Over time, I have learned that the vision was not given to everyone else; it was given to me. That realization has helped me remain grounded and focused on the ultimate goal.

I stay encouraged through my faith, listening to affirmations, and surrounding myself with like-minded people who understand the journey. Protecting my mindset and remembering why I started helps me continue moving forward.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

I did not have a favorite athlete growing up, but when it came to music, I was definitely a New Edition fan. When Bobby Brown left the group and began his solo career, I became an even bigger fan of his. New Edition and Bobby Brown were absolutely the soundtrack of my younger years.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

First, I would like to thank Business Stories Magazine for giving me the opportunity to share my story. I also want to thank my family, friends, team, mentors, and clients for their love, prayers, encouragement, and continued support.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

Readers can learn more about FMTY Luxury Group and our services by visiting www.fmtyweddingsandevents.com. They can also connect with me on LinkedIn (tameshakinlochcarter) and follow FMTY Weddings & Events on Instagram @fmtyweddingsandevents.