We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tiffany Critton. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tiffany below.
Tiffany, we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?
My generosity stems from my maternal grandmother. Everyone was welcomed at her house and she would feed anyone, even a complete stranger. Growing up, watching the way she treated people, it definitely instilled something inside of me. I enjoy helping other, being able to resolve their issues, it fulfills me. I’m a problem solver, a fixer, and I enjoy doing it. I personally think that whatever you put out, is what you receive in return. Generosity not only makes the receiver feels happy, but the giver as well.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I started making homemade ice cream about 6 years ago. I have been cooking and making desserts all my life, for as long as I can remember. Two of the fan’s favorite right now are the mini pound cakes and the mini sweet potato pies. My cakes and pie orders are through the roof around the holidays but that has spilled over to the new year and the orders are still coming in. I also make regular size (9″) pies, but the mini’s are the most popular. The most exciting part of what I do is coming up with new flavors. I’m always in the kitchen trying out new things. Sometimes it’s a bust, and other times, it’s a hit. What makes my company special is that I can make any flavor you request if I don’t have it on my menu. Every batch of ice cream I make, every cake and every pie are ALWAYS made with fresh and natural ingredients and I GUARANTEE satisfaction. On my website, my refund policy is a full refund if you are not satisfied with your order. I have not given a refund to date. I have a few exciting ideas that I am working on but, I am not ready to share. However, I can give a little bit of information on one of my projects. I’m working on a cookbook that will include mainly dinner recipes, dessert recipes, holiday recipes, homemade tea and lemonade recipes and more. Because I have so many recipes that go back to my great grandmother, it will take some time. So, in the near future, I’m going to put out a calendar with dinner and dessert ideas for each month. Stay tuned….
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?
The three qualities that are most important would be emotional intelligence, time management and discipline. Emotional intelligence is very important as a business owner, a boss or in any leadership role. A leader should be able to detect(self awareness), analyse and control their own emotions and those of their employees as well. It is very important in high stressed situations as it allows you to adapt to any situation. This is where resiliency comes into play and you build a high tolerance for stress. Once you achieve self awareness and are able to understand the way others perceive you, you then begin to work on yourself and improve other aspects of your life.
Next, time management is also just as important because we’re all on a schedule. I know I don’t, but who has time to waste. As the saying goes, “Time is money.” You get 24 hours in a day to make things happen. There is rarely a time that someone will call me and ask what I’m doing and my answer is, “nothing”, or “relaxing” as I utilize my 24 hours wisely. I set goals for myself and I prioritize the things that are important. I have daily, weekly and monthly goals. My daily goals may include meditating, exercising, daily affirmations, or just doing a good deed for a total stranger. Out of your daily 24 hours, there is no time for excuses, ever.
Lastly, discipline is my favorite because it has help me in so many areas of my life and that includes diet and health as well as business decisions. You have to be willing to eliminate time wasting activities, periods of just doing nothing just because you can. If you ever find yourself with a free moment, use that time to improve yourself or work on your creativity. If you don’t have any goals set, set them now and stick to them no matter what. Even if you have to extend the time on the goal, just don’t give up because it’s not happening as quickly as you had hoped. Discipline matters the most when you don’t physically see progress or growth but you keep going regardless. Discipline is when all of your friends are hanging out having fun but you’re sharpening your creative skills. Discipline is sacrificing certain luxuries, and instead investing that money and time into your future. Discipline is developing a routine that you stick to everyday, doing things that you don’t want to do, and controlling your behavior. Overall, self discipline is when the desire to become the highest version of yourself outweighs the desire for cheap pleasures.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
A book that has been very helpful in my development is Becoming, by Michelle Obama. Michelle Obama is intelligent, classy, and elegant. It is a very inspirational book and I would highly recommend it. Below are three memorable quotes:
1. “Failure is a feeling long before it becomes an actual result. It’s vulnerability that breeds with self-doubt and then is escalated, often deliberately, by fear.”
Me personally, I have never had a fear of failure as failure is not an option. You only fail if you give up. I don’t understand how failure enters your mind. You grind really hard to create your business just to not believe in it, or in your own capabilities, that is beyond my belief.
2. “If you don’t get out there and define yourself, you’ll be quickly and inaccurately defined by others.”
As women, knowing who you are, what you stand for, and the morals you live by, are very important. I feel you should let it been known, and don’t be afraid to speak your truth.
3. “Do we settle for the world as it is, or do we work for the world as it should be?”
Too many people have settled for the world as it is and that is very scary.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://icecreamsg.net
- Instagram: instagram.com/icecreamsogood813
Image Credits
All are my images
