We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tierra Thomas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tierra, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I developed my confidence and self-esteem by staying true to myself and focusing on my goals. As well my relationship with God and knowing that I was wonderfully made. As a passionate creative I often pour my all into projects and expressing myself fully. Growing up I was often teased about my complexion, hair, or expressions. At times I felt insecure about these things but I still embraced walking in my purpose and living my life to the fullest.
I have always been tunnel visioned on my goals and preserving to achieve them all. I recall setting a number of goals throughout my life and meditating on the verse Philippians 4:6. I would often read it printed on a paper taped to my mirror every morning, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Through this I became valedictorian, class president, homecoming queen, and earned a full-ride scholarship to UCLA my senior year of high school.
I have always been confident in my academic abilities and creativity. During my time at UCLA I was provided with the environment and resources to express myself freely and further develop my self-esteem. Through sociology, psychology, and cultural studies I learned to reflect on why and how I came to believe certain things about myself. I was able to understand and challenge societal norms while embracing my identity as a dynamic multi-talented Black woman.
After graduating from UCLA I took the leap of faith to start my own business. After returning from a 6-month stay in Paris I realized I didn’t want to enter the traditional workforce and decided to rely on my creative skills to make a living. My journey as an entrepreneur had a profound impact on my confidence and self-esteem. I’m truly grateful for all the experiences and outcomes that shaped me into the person I am today.
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?
In January 2020, I embarked on an extraordinary journey by launching TNT Creations & Services. It’s been an incredible and exhilarating adventure, filled with challenges and triumphs. From the early days of shaky videos and basic graphics to creating captivating animations and building thriving online communities, I’ve had the privilege of learning, growing, and expressing my passion throughout the process. Each project, every client, and every significant milestone has fueled my passion and reinforced my belief in the transformative power of creativity.
To those who joined me on this adventure: Thank you for your trust and feedback. You’ve helped shape TNT Creations & Services into the vibrant, storytelling powerhouse it is today.
To those just discovering us: Welcome! Let’s chat about how we can turn your digital dreams into dazzling reality. From social media magic to video wizardry, we’ve got the tools and the passion to make your brand shine.
With dedication and a drive for authenticity, I have pursued education and sought guidance from mentors in various creative fields, including videography, photography, graphic design, and UX design. Through classes and independent study, I have honed my skills and remain committed to continuous improvement and refinement of my craft. As a fast learner with an eye for detail, I strive to comprehend my clients’ visions and bring them to life in a captivating and enjoyable manner. My goal is to foster a creative and collaborative process that results in exceptional outcomes.
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?
Grit, optimism, and ambition were the most impactful qualities that helped me along my journey. With grit I was able to persevere through challenges and failures. I optimistically worked towards my goals despite the obstacles or naysayers. I have always been driven by my passion to live life to the fullest and achieve my goals.
There are a number of things I would suggest to other creatives or entrepreneurs that helped me develop these qualities along my journey. I encourage finding quotes, scriptures, or affirmations that resonate with you. I believe repeating or writing positive affirmations daily help you remain positive or pick yourself back up after challenging times. I’m also grateful for my support system for encouraging my creativity and recommending clients for my services. I believe surrounding yourself with other passionate and driven individuals will help you stay on track for achieving your goals within a thriving environment.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My parents are truly the foundation to my success. The most impactful thing they did for me was raise me with unconditional love in an environment where I was encouraged to learn, create, & overall thrive. My parents taught me early on that knowledge is power and always provided resources for me that fostered an environment where I was able to enjoy learning and creating. I recall during summer breaks since I started school my mom required my brothers and I to read and write everyday before we could play outside or with video games. She would say we’re not going to stop learning just because we have time off from school. We had the option to write a page about our day, goals, poems, short stories, or summaries of books we were reading. I believe this created a foundation that encouraged me to be the life long learner I am today. It impacted my overall belief in myself and abilities to achieve my goals. As a result I was always a straight A student and am always looking to hone new skills and perfect my craft.
When I started creating content, I would check out a big professional camera and tripod from my school and a computer that had FInal Cut Pro and other digital creation softwares. I would go around the state of Florida filming any and everything! Festivals, colleges, parks, sports, shows, etc. My parents would always support me through my video production journey and helped me bring production equipment all over the place and even on a road trip to DC where I filmed a segment at the White House and National Mall. Almost everyday of my life from the 5th to the 12th grade I was either filming or editing some sort of project. My parents not only helped me record but supported and believed in my vision.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tntcreations.biz/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tierra_smiles/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tierra-thomas-/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tntcreations
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCIuPlL6A7M&t=6s
Image Credits
Zachary Jefferson
