We recently connected with Tia Williams Vaughn and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Tia, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
Aside from being a jewelry artist, I’m also a virtual assistant to small business owners and I “‘preach” stressing less. I want small businessowners to stress less over their “busy work” that is important but may take way from the core of what they need to accomplish. I try to manage my own stress levels with my jewelry designing.
Seasonal fashion trends may inspire me but much of my inspiration comes from nature, vintage styles, and emotions. Ironically, I’ve found out recently that managing stress is essential to my mental and physical health. So now, not only does my work ethic stem from the purpose I’ve found in helping small business owners, I’ve also found that it stems from the purpose I’ve found in taking care of myself.
My work ethic also stems from how I was raised. I was always taught to give my all in everything I do. If I’m not going to do something all the way and the best that I can, then what’s the point in doing it? Also, I put myself in other’s shoes. I never treat anyone how I do not want to be treated. I care about people so I’m always thinking, “If I were them, what would I expect? How would I want to be treated?” Everything I do leaves an impression. It’s part of my story and I want anyone who I cross paths with to remember something positive.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
For my jewelry business, the most fun part aside from the painting, is hearing what people see in the painting. You would be surprised at what people say they see, feel, or makes them remember. I love that each piece is one of a kind because then the person who buys it has a unique piece that is special to them. No one will ever have a piece identical to theirs. Yes, it can just be a nice fashion accessory but sometimes there is a deeper sentiment.
As a virtual assistant, I’d have to say what I love is just caring about the business owner. For example, they may ask me to design a document and it may seem simple, but I think of their brand, if I were them what would I want the result to be, if that task is accomplished what is it allowing them to focus on? Because of those seemingly small or unwanted tasks that I handle for them, they’re able to focus on building business. Next thing you know they’re telling me about new business or some other major accomplishment. I love it and I love them knowing that I’m their for them. It’s business but I really care too.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Curiosity. At the pace that technology, social media, just everything is changing, I think it’s important to stay curious. Looking back, I’m glad for the days of me reading Encyclopedias and National Geographic magazines instead of just watching TV. I like to and think it’s important to stay a few steps ahead. Stay curious and question things in general and especially if it is within your specialty.
Ask questions. Always learn something new, have a diverse group of friends and mentors who you can learn from, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. I used to be afraid of asking questions in class but now I wish I’d asked more!
Be creative. I’ve always loved creativity, marketing, and promo. I actually went to school for Sport and Event Marketing and at one point thought I haven’t had a chance to really use those business skills but I have. From my days of watching Bob Ross paintings to working with branding professionals, it’s all come together on various levels! In my opinion, being creative doesn’t mean you have to learn how to draw and paint, just think outside the box a little.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Overwhelm was partly the source of health issues that really presented themselves last year. I didn’t have a choice but to focus on managing my own stress. Isn’t it ironic? I help business owners with their stressors of business but didn’t handle my own. So now, I’m working on getting back to a walking schedule so that I can get back to noticing all of my nature inspirations that I didn’t realize are stress relievers. I also forget that I love poetry and used to write “back in the day.” Writing may become a way for me to manage overwhelm too.
Also, while I’m working, I get up every 30 minutes or so and do 10 minutes of a workout. I may stop after another amount of time and call my parents. After working another 30 minutes to an hour I may stop and read a scripture reminder for the day and pray. The point is just to stop, breathe, and do something that focuses on me. I can’t stress how important it is to not sit for long periods of time. It’s important mentally and physically.
When I start my day, I also try to prioritize to-dos for the day and finish the top three. Then those I didn’t get to that day move to the top the next day. Just organizing the day before getting started helps with overwhelm more than some people think.
I enjoyed the interview. The conversation was definitely a nice moment of reflection!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tiawilliamsvaughn.wordpress.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tartelainedesigns
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tartelaine
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiawilliamsvaughn
