We recently connected with Ariana Roberson and have shared our conversation below.
Ariana, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
We are all created for a purpose. As many do, I can relate that I have felt alone with no purpose or anything to offer. My family and peers often looked at me as an over achiever. I see myself as a late bloomer. People come in your life for a season and I do believe that certain individuals helped me grow into my purpose.
I went through high school thinking that I had a plan to become successful in business and be a swimsuit model. That all came to a halt when I had my first child at the age of 19. I now have three children; 17, 16, 10. My main priorities after having my son was to focus on working and try to finish college.
I started college with one class at a time. I tackled my most difficult subject, math. Overtime, I had overcome the fear that I was not good enough or smart enough because my grades were actual proof that I could do anything I put my mind to. I graduated in May 2018 from the Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) with my Associates in Business and with Honors.
During 2018, I felt my life shift. I went through a divorce while finishing my associates degree. I felt like I was at my lowest point not feeling confident. I started to model independently. The only think that kept me afloat was feeling hungry to learn more in business. Shortly after graduating from KCKCC, I enrolled at the University of Kansas (KU). I graduated in December 2021. Throughout my time at KU I expanded my talent capabilities in modeling. I started to network into dancing hip hop, heels, and latin. Which led me to dance in music videos and dancing at live shows. I was in a movie, Hanging with the Homies. My brother Rico Ruiz was the lead in the movie. My brother and I were always close because we are family. However, during this specific time in my life, my brother and I bonded very closely. I feel like during this time we both were struggling in finding our purpose. I have my brother to thank for all his encouragement and support.
After graduating from KU, I felt like I sank again in knowing what my actual purpose was. I have accomplished so many things and completed goals. I was completely lost in 2022. I didn’t know my purpose. Later in 2022 I lost my job. At a time I felt that I have lost everything my boyfriend, Joshua Roberson, believed in me. In December 2022 Josh purposed to me, we were engaged. He continued to encourage me to not settle for any job and to keep looking until I find the one I wanted. Because of my talent background and being independent, I’m often having to do my own makeup. I am always trying to find solutions for myself and giving tips to family and friends. In May 2023 I started Body by Adi. Joshua encouraged me and believed that I can run my own business. Body by Adi (BBA) encourages individuals to “Own Your Look”. BBA’s mission is to empower individuals by providing affordable beauty tools and guidance to inspire self application with confidence. BBA provides products like “do it yourself” (diy) eyelash extensions, self-adhesive strip lashes, blush, and lip gloss. The first phase of the business was to test different products. My second phase is completed as I have branded my own lip gloss. The third phase I will have branded my own eyelash kits with different sizes of lashes.
June 2023, Joshua and I got married! I found my purpose!!
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?
2023 is the year of new beginnings. I’m married! I started a new business! I started a new full-time position! I have completed talent goals.
I recently started a full-time position with The Department of Veterans Affairs as a Contract Specialist. I have worked part-time over a year at my local Maurices as a Fashion Stylist. I help support my husband with his dog kennel business, Unforgettable Productions. In the last year we have been traveling to enter our American Bully, Miss Cinnamon Bunz, into ABKC dog shows. We just added a new member to the family, Paris the Frenchie. I am a huge supporter of my kids and their extra curricular activities.
September 23, 2023, October Fest (Lees Summit, MO), performed Heels dancing routine with Elements in Dance Therapy (Stephanie Gordier).
October 7, 2023, EZ Dance & Elements in Dance Therapy Showcase (Blue Springs, MO), performed Kizomba transition into Bachata latin dance routine.
Completed scenes for web series, City of Kings (Blue Line Studios, Kansas City, MO).
October 21, 2023, Blue Line Studios is hosting a Production Party releasing the first episode of City of Kings.
For my business platform, Body by Adi (BBA), I like to share on my socials videos of application and my happy customers. This winter I plan to have the branded BBA lash kits and new vibrant colors in time for the holidays.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Project Management – Getting the big picture of how to complete a project/goal. Even if you don’t know the steps you have to ask questions and make actions to get yourself to the next step. Having a plan will help you stick to your goals. Time Management – It’s important to stay organized. Use your calendar on your phone. Buy a physical planner. Invest in a white board or cork board to post important ideas, to-do lists, important dates.
Prioritizing – Establish a happy medium of personal life, work, and entrepreneur life. Don’t forget about yourself! Take care of your mental health, your overall health. Don’t be afraid to say no. Create healthy boundaries.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
It has taken me nearly over 30 years to figure this out for my self personally. Feeling overwhelmed are triggers. Triggers can stem from unresolved issues from our past whether it is our childhood, a past relationship, any kind of trauma.
Being overwhelmed for myself is a fear of failure. Failure is a learning opportunity. Failure is not an end all. I used to see failure as the end of the world.
At a time of feeling overwhelmed. Stop. Breath. Think about the why. Think about the trigger. Tell yourself I’m going to be a problem solver and not give up.
I have felt overwhelmed by my own children. I feel that they tend to have a lot going on to where it can impede on what I have going on. I have to take a step back. My trigger can be due to being unorganized. I have to edit my schedule. I need to move things around or simply tell people no. At the end of the day, my family comes first, everything else will fall in line.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.therealbodybyadi.com
- Instagram: @therealbodybyadi
- Facebook: Body by Adi
- Other: linktr.ee: linktr.ee/therealbodybyadi
Image Credits
BBA product photo credits, Sandy Rivera
