Tina Perry

You can call Perry the dealmaker. She makes plenty, whether they’re for programming such as miniseries “Tulsa” or OWN’s rapidly growing digital business. OWN’s made a name in the digital space by monetizing it through products such as digital courses and online meditation. As OWN’s slate grows, Perry will continue to oversee all production deals for scripted programming and play a key role in digital. The best piece of business advice she’s ever received? “That business is not about money, deals or terms,” she says. “It’s about people. In order to negotiate terms, close deals and ultimately make money you have to be straight with people and treat them like you’d expect to be treated.”

Best business advice you’ve received?

That business is not about money, deals or terms… It’s about people. In order to negotiate terms, close deals and ultimately make money you have to be straight with people and treat them like you’d expect to be treated.

How do you define diversity?

I define diversity as simply a broadness of thought and experience. Many people initially equate ethnicity or gender to diversity, but to me those labels are simply the conduits utilized to achieve a broadness of thought. My career path has relied heavily on diversity of thought, so inevitably I have sought a diverse cadre of people to help provide the mentality needed to see the world beyond majority.

How do you define success?

Defining success to me starts with defining the goal. I have never seen a successful person who did not start with a specific, personal goal in place. Ultimately, success in achieving this goal is a journey that can only be defined based on the very personal barometers you put in place. In my life, once I was able to clearly define my goals—whether career or personal—it then allowed me the opportunity to determine what I found as success. My successful achievements will never be someone else’s definition.