Meet Toya Corbett, Ph.D. | The Etiquette Doctor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Toya Corbett, Ph.D. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Toya, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

My journey to becoming The Etiquette Doctor began in 1996 when I was elected as an undergraduate officer to the International Board of Directors for my sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. When I sat down for dinner during my first board meeting in Chicago, Illinois, I was taken aback by the number of utensils and beverage glasses on the table. Unsure of which fork to use, or which glass was mine, I was paralyzed for a few seconds. I was overcome with embarrassment and a bit of imposter syndrome. I questioned, “should I even be here?” Luckily, one of my more seasoned sorority sisters sat beside me. I assumed she knew what she was doing, so I observed how she navigated the table setting and followed suit. From that moment on, I made a promise to myself to never attend another function without knowing dining etiquette. Upon returning to back to my university, UNC Charlotte, a few days later, I located an etiquette book and began to teach myself the components of formal dining.

Fast forward to 2008, I was attending graduate school and working at Morgan State University, a historically Black college in Baltimore, Maryland. After commencement exercises that year, I attended a dinner hosted at the home of a senior administrator. Members of the faculty and staff were in attendance along with several students who had graduated earlier that day. There was one particular graduate who I observed moving through the dinner buffet. Included on his plate was a baked potato that was covered with aluminum foil. When he sat down and began to eat, the young man removed the foil from the baked potato, picked it up, then bit into like an apple. When I later learned, he had an interview with an engineering firm in Chicago the next week, I said to myself, if they take him to lunch or dinner, he’s probably not going to get the job.
At that moment, I declared that every student I touched, would learn business and dining etiquette. I started with training members of student government and student organizations. Then a few non-profits in Baltimore requested my services. As a fourth-generation entrepreneur, I realized I could create a business focused on something I love and make money at the same time. I initially started the business under the name, Social Grace. When I completed my doctorate in 2014, I rebranded the company to The Etiquette Doctor.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Business Name; The Etiquette Doctor, LLC Website: toyacorbett.com

Under the name, The Etiquette Doctor, I conduct dining and business etiquette trainings with an emphasis on personal branding and executive presence. I teach you how to dine with class, dress for success, and network like a pro.

My primary clients includes colleges, universities and corporations. Where a lot of etiquette trainers focus on children, my preferred audience are those 18 and older. I absolutely love training young professionals and those more seasoned who are looking to enhance their executive presence.

Additionally, I am a speaker, career coach and educational consultant – providing culturally relevant experiences for diverse audiences across the country. I believe transformation happens when people are granted opportunities that builds their confidence and courage, enabling them to achieve their own idea of success. With 20 years of student affairs experience, I provide a practical approach to guiding others on how to develop and retain a loyal staff and build a framework of sustainable student success.

Since 2003, I have had a significant and progressive tenure in the field of higher education by exemplifying transformational leadership, creating impactful initiatives, and championing inclusive learning environments while providing students with the tools necessary for academic and professional success. My career journey has included senior level roles in student affairs at the University of Virginia, the UNC System Office, North Carolina Central University, and Morgan State University. While at Morgan, I was named one of the top 50 women under 40 in Maryland.

I have been building the brand for The Etiquette Doctor for a number of years. My main challenge was balancing my full-time responsibilities as a student affairs professional and maintaining my side-hustle. After the pandemic, demand for my services began to grow. I took a leap of faith in July of 2023 and decided to focus on my company full-time. Now, I have complete control over my schedule, with more availability to expand my client base.

A mantra that I live by: Follow your passion and money will come.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Favorite things to do in Charlotte with my BFF:

A weekend stay at the JW Marriott Uptown, dinner at the amazing black-owned restaurant, Leah and Louise and a jazz concert at Middle C Jazz Club.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

As a fourth-generation entrepreneur, being a business owner is in my DNA. Observing family members, like my dad, Ronald Corbett and my great-uncle, Marvin Kimber run a catering business taught me to be detailed regarding food presentation, how to work under pressure and excellent interpersonal skills when dealing with people. This also instilled in me a hustle mentality. My dad and uncle both had full-time jobs and they were “hustling” on the weekends, catering sometimes three to four events within 48 hours to put me and my cousin through college. Plus, it gave me the opportunity to earn my own money by working events with them.

One of my biggest influences has been Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. After joining the sorority almost 30 years ago, I was taught the importance of sisterhood and service, and the characteristics of a true leader. A few of my sorority sisters who have been especially supportive are Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, Dr. Bettie Glenn, Deborah Cuffie, Krista Manns, Jennifer KIng Congleton, and the late Dr. Eva Evans.

Lastly, I must give a shout out to Morgan State University, my HBCU! This was the magical place where The Etiquette Doctor was born and I became a scholar. The administration, faculty and staff always supported my ideas, events and initiatives. More importantly, they gave me space to spread my wings and fly.

Website: https://toyacorbett.com/

Instagram: the_etiquette_doctor

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toya-corbett-8782bb22/

Facebook: @theetiquettedoctor

Image Credits
The first headshot, credit, Nikia Williams Photography