This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Entrepreneur of the Week: Kim Tumey, Broker to the Stars

For a living, Kim Tumey negotiates deals, movie roles and other assignments for celebrities. Though she stays busy, Tumey always makes time to feed the homeless through her charity Hotdogs for the Homeless.

Kim Tumey was running late. She was expected at an awards ceremony with Omar Benson Miller who finally tracked her down at Woodruff Park.

The CSI: Miami actor watched her in amazement. makes her living negotiating endorsement deals, movie roles, casting calls and commercials for celebrities.

But here she was, standing in the middle of the park, feeding the homeless. After getting over his shock, Miller realized why.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

“Oh my God, I didn’t know it was this bad,” Miller said. Then he joined in, buying hamburgers and fries from McDonald’s after Tumey and her friends had run out of food.

Last Thanksgiving, Miller fed thousands of homeless people in California—and Tumey was happy she helped inspire that.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Miller was one of Tumey’s clients.

Tumey acts as publicist, management and event planner for actors, musicians and a few comedians. For some of these celebrities, she also handles their personal appearances and public relations.

Tumey started Kim Tumey Entertainment seven years ago when she was still living in Dallas, Texas. Four years ago she moved to Georgia and spent two of those years living in the Cascade area before moving to Roswell.

With the help of four junior publicists and two interns, Tumey assists a growing lists of celebrity clientele such as actresses Regina King and Eva Pigford Marcille; actors such as Morris Chestnut, Boris Kudjoe and Anthony Anderson, and singer Dwelle.

With her help, her clients have participated in fashion shows, school and charity events, as well as private functions. They have made appearances at clubs, award ceremonies and red carpet events. Some have been featured in magazines and on radio and television networks.

“People have to go through me to get them to come up to their city, state or country,” Tumey said.

Once a month at various locations, Tumey also hosts the , a networking event for industry professionals to connect with their peers.

Chishala Chibuye, who lives off Drive, is one of Tumey’s junior publicists and has been her employee for at least six months.

 “I enjoy it,” said Chibuye, who is also an entrepreneur. “The good thing about working for Kim is when you do good she lets you know it and when you need improvement, she lets you know it as well.”

Still, it was how Tumey interacted with the less fortunate that won her high ratings from her employee.

One day, Tumey and Chibuye were downtown taking care of some business when they saw a homeless man on the sidewalk. They expected to be out for a while and had packed some lunch.

“She literally gave her lunch to him and he wasn’t asking for anything,” Chibuye said. “He was on the side of the road, he had no sign and she took her lunch and gave it to him and that earned my greatest respect for her.”

Tumey also gave the man money, Chibuye said.

“She already had my respect with helping me with my business issues and constantly trying to help me grow and get it to the next level. But that took my respect to another level.”

To the ones who know her, it’s no secret Tumey cares a lot about people.

“My mom always told me if you see something that needs to be done, nobody should have to ask you, you should just do it,” Tumey said. “I go to a restaurant, I see a hungry person I will have him come and sit with me. My peers don’t care for it, but I don’t care. That’s just me.”

Tumey started Hotdogs 4 the Homeless at least five or six years ago. Every three months or so, Tumey would make paper bag lunches with hotdogs, chips and cookies and donate it to the homeless. Sometimes she goes by herself, sometimes she has help and they always go to different areas of the city.

“It’s something I do from the heart,” Tumey said. “Everybody gets hungry.”

One of Tumey’s longtime clients General Hospital’s has been Tumey’s friend for almost 10 years. He has helped guide her in the right direction and encouraged Tumey in her business.

“She is very, very unselfish and very, very honest with a great sense of humor,” Blakemore said. “She is a cut and dry, down to earth girl from Texas who loves to laugh and help people.

“We have the same heart.”

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Cascade