Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Anita Idiong. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Anita, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
Wow, this is a fantastic question. I would say choosing love and happiness regardless. Remain Calm and Composed always. Get it together. Focus on positive things. You can’t control peoples reaction towards you but you can control how you react towards them. Learn to master your own emotions. Not necessarily focusing on race or our differences but focusing on what it is we came there to do. Be polite and respectful to everyone. Try not to be bias or judgmental. Choosing to be friendly, start a conversation, crack a joke. Get off Social Media for a while. Try not to overthink or think at all. I choose to not necessarily focus on race but focus on the personalities. Get to know people, share tips and ideas, network you just might learn something new. I choose to give people a benefit of a doubt and not focus on labels or stereotypes. Choosing to go where I am loved and if I don’t feel welcomed there well don’t loose focus on what it is you came there to do and accomplish that. Ignore the unnecessary drama and just stay disciplined and focused. All those steps you take opens doors for someone else. Be genuinely happy for people, learn from them, work on your skill, improve yourself. Respect people and be kind because some people act out of personal feelings or reasons they are going through. Don’t take things personal, don’t give into distractions. don’t give into anger, and overlook a lot of things because you can’t stress yourself out like that. Be happy and make friends. Be grateful for being in that space and don’t loose yourself and don’t lose focus. See everyone as people trying to figure out their lives just as much as you. Give yourself grace and be kind to yourself. Pray for Gods grace everyday and guidance and protection.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’ve always wanted to be a Model and Fashion designer since I was a little girl. I cut up all my socks to make fashion dresses for my Barbie dolls, my mom was not always happy about that because I never had any left for school. Ever since I was small I have dreamed of being successful in doing what I love. I have always loved taking pictures. I just love the fact that you can be anything you wanted to be. I love the memories and creativity that comes with that. Modeling was my escape from reality And I am still really passionate about it. Modeling gave me an escape when my reality wasn’t it. I loved the fact that you could be anything or anyone through your Art. When I take pictures I feel happy and alive. I moved here 6 years ago and it had been a roller coaster of emotions and changes and adaptation and growth. When I had my kids I had to quit work to stay home with my kids, watching them grow has been a blessing but I was also loosing myself in the process. I started becoming depressed and feeling helpless and hopeless because I felt I had no purpose asides being a wife and mom. My body after pregnancy was unrecognizable because I had diastisis recti. I was getting older so modeling was becoming a long process for me. I was loosing my confidence and esteem because everything felt like it was out of control. I was now dependent on my husband, so my financial security, independence and stability was gone. I no longer had control of anything. I started hating life and myself to a point where I wanted to end it all. last year was really magical. I got to start being hopeful again because of my re- connection with God. I decided that I wanted my life back. My life asides being a mom and wife and I started getting my feet wet again, I started working out again, taking my self care seriously. Taking my pampering seriously. My Husband was so supportive about taking the kids when I had to be out or just taking them out when I needed a break. Wearing my waist trainer regularly. I stopped seeking validation from people and started focusing more on validating myself. Reading books that helped improve my mindset. Making better choices and decisions. Changing my diet and mindset. Vision Boards, I Focused on who God says I am.
At first I was getting rejected at modeling agencies because I had added weight, my belly was out due to Diastisis Recti. I had Scoliosis and that time it was more pronounced, due to lack of exercise. I was older. That was an issue for modelling agencies. That affected my confidence and self esteem. (Now I am good I am back modeling again, my confidence and self esteem is great) I look even younger than ever. I decided I wanted change and I was going to do the work required to get me to that change. Instead of feeling sorry for myself and wallowing in pity, I decided to work on myself and live my life like the woman I truly wanted to be. Never accepting rejection instead choosing to learn from it and keep moving. Networking. Refusing to give up on myself, I started applying for jobs again, this time I went into Acting because there is a place for everyone and every age in acting. That way I still get to do what I love but in a broader sense. I got on Central Casting. I got signed to Atlanta Hollywood Talent. And a couple of other agencies. I started celebrating my accomplishments and choosing gratitude instead of focusing on the problems I focused on the positives. I got into a couple of movies. I took more pictures, I even started taking some myself on self timer. I practiced walking in heels again. (Modelling Properly) Choosing to be intentional about what I wanted and what I did not want in my life and focusing on being like the woman I wanted to be. Living like her till it eventually becomes my reality. I chose to speak life over my life and family and I prayed more and connected to God more. I went back a similar church like in Nigeria, it was small, so I could form community there and serve God more. That was really good for me because it felt nostalgic and it felt like home. I started a photography business, where I take pictures of people for birthdays events, new born photography or any kind of photography it is called @sealed_memo on Instagram I also do content creation for companies and manage their social media platforms. You will have to email me if you want that service. I also started a braiding business. Where I braid people’s hair, do take outs and re-purpose their old wigs to braided wigs called @Thairbraiding on Instagram. I started a T-shirt business which will soon launch on Shopify and also on my Poshmark Store called Closet Space. I got on YouTube started a channel called Tartiyana Journal. I will say learn a skill, perfect it the best way you can and just start. Get yourself out there. I really love America and it has been so good to me and my family and it has really taught me about life and growing up.
My Future goals
I wish to Hit a million subscribers on my YouTube channel (TartiyanaJournal) My Videos should be a Source of Joy, Unity, Entertainment, Happiness, Optimistic,
Fun and exciting experiences. I hope you enjoy. I also make videos about my motherhood experiences and it’s like a safe space where we can share ideas or stories or just vent or connect with each other. Sell my Custom T-shirts on my Poshmark Shop. (Closet Space)
Grow my braiding and photography business (T hair braiding and sealed memo on Instagram)
Get a degree in America so I can be financially free, stable and independent
Be a model and work with major brands and do campaigns, hopefully get paid to travel and work. Act in major movies and get paid. Live an exciting life and career.
Hit a certain level of money
Buy the car I want
Buy the house I want. Connect with people. Have a solid Career team. Do Amazing things for my entire Family and community and church.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Determination
Discipline
Focus
Never Give Up
Evolve and Elevate Yourself
Invest in Your Self
Save your money
It is one thing to know the work required to get you to the next level in life. It is another thing to Do the work required to get you to the next level you want to be in. Choose to do the work because that is where the change lies.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I definitely am looking for folks to collaborate with. I would love to collaborate with Photographers, Actors, Movie Directors and Producers, Makeup Artists anyone in the Entertainment or Art industry or if you wanted to do a podcast or anything creative I would love to be part of it. Just email me at [email protected] or connect with me on Instagram, Facebook Twitter and TikTok @tartiyana
YouTube @tartiyanajournal
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tartiyana.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tartiyana/
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@Tartiyana
Image Credits
The studio photographed pictures of me are by @montyangelo
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
