Ty Salvant of New Orleans on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Ty Salvant and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Ty, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
My husband and I were in our family room enjoying a quiet afternoon when the room was filled with laughter and conversation from four of our children ranging in age from 15-22, who had just returned from a leadership seminar. Their unbridled joy was heartwarming and brought a smile to my face and peace to my soul. After about an hour, the older two went outside. I inquired about their plans- “nothing specific, we’re just going to hang out.” My heart grew two sizes. As a mom, raising children who are kind to each other and choose to be together is one of my greatest accomplishments.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My husband and I have been married for 25 years, and together we are raising and homeschooling six incredible children. We graduated 0ur first three and are homeschooling a high school senior, a freshman, and our youngest — who’s six and full of energy and curiosity.
About four years ago, I created Time with Ty. It grew out of my own journey of rediscovering myself after years of pouring everything into the roles I played — wife, mother, volunteer, leader. Many of those roles I chose joyfully, and some were placed on me by expectation or circumstance. In the process, I realized how easily women lose their sense of identity and how powerful it is when we take time to remember who we are.
Time with Ty gives women space to breathe again — to reflect, reconnect, and rise. I help women elevate how they care for themselves, their marriages, their families, and their communities, so they can intentionally live the life they were designed for, not just the life that shows up.
I love reading — audiobooks are my mode of choice at this phase in my life. I thrive on deep, meaningful conversations, I enjoy movies that make me think or allow me to escape, and I find peace in nature.

Currently, I’m working on something I am incredibly excited about: a series of 2026 calendars. Each one is designed to guide transformation through small, intentional daily actions. There’s a calendar for:

Women rediscovering themselves

Couples who want to reconnect

Homeschooling families (and before you tune out — in my opinion, every parent is a homeschooler. Some of us are just full-time.)

Women entrepreneurs, growing in clarity and confidence

Nonprofit organizations, building community impact and engagement

Each calendar is simple, meaningful, and actionable — because change happens one small step at a time

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world tried to tell me who I should be, I was a precocious, energetic, talkative little girl who loved learning, vegetables, and being surrounded by my family. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a teacher or a model, until I stopped growing. Decades ago, there weren’t 5″ tall models.

I went through a phase of trying to find myself. I thought I needed to be the “est” at something. Much to my dismay, I wasn’t the shortest, prettiest, smartest, funniest, thinnest, or strongest. Eventually, I realized that I was enough exactly the way I was!

What’s beautiful is that, years later, those dreams unfolded—just not in the ways I originally imagined. I did become a teacher: I homeschooled my children, shaping their curiosity, their confidence, and their sense of wonder. I did become a model: not on a runway, but by becoming someone others look to for guidance, encouragement, and possibility—a role model.

I’m still talkative, happy, optimistic, and full of energy. I’m still me. The biggest change? I don’t eat nearly as many vegetables as that little girl once did. Other than that, I have spent the last few decades finding my way back to the truest version of myself—the one who always believed she could and that she was enough.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I struggled with perfectionism for years, which held me back from trying new things if I didn’t think I would excel immediately. That perfectionism morphed into a fear of failure. After decades of learning and growing, I’m embracing John Maxwell’s notion of “You win or you learn!”. It’s not easy, and I still have to push myself sometimes, but I’ve noticed a lot of improvement over the past few years.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
About 26 years ago, right after we left our Engaged Encounter retreat, I turned to my then fiancé — absolutely overflowing with excitement. The retreat had touched me deeply. I kept thinking, ALL couples need this. They need space to slow down, connect, and remember why they chose each other.

So I did what any enthusiastic, big-vision, future-planning extrovert would do — I asked him if he wanted to open a retreat facility one day.

Now, for those of you who don’t know us, we are opposites in the best way. I’m the outgoing, talkative, persuasive dreamer. He’s the introverted, steady, man-of-few-words realist. Let’s just say he did not share my excitement about running a retreat facility.

Fast forward about eight years into our marriage: I found the building — the one I just knew would be perfect for retreats. It was beautiful and expansive and completely out of reach for where we were at that point in life. Like the rest of the city, we were recovering from Hurricane Katrina and we couldn’t take that step then.

But here’s what hasn’t changed: the calling.
I still have a vision for a retreat center — a place set apart but still within the city. A space that serves multiple purposes:

During the week: parenting classes, support groups, community workshops

On weekends: intentional, life-giving retreats for women, couples, and families

A place where people feel held, seen, and restored.

I don’t know how long it will take, and I don’t know all the steps between now and opening day. But I do know this: I’m committed to doing everything in my power to make that dream a reality. Because I believe healing happens in community.
Connection deserves space. And people deserve retreat.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
When I’m connecting with others. The first place that comes to mind is in my husband’s arms at the end of the day. It’s my favorite place to be ALWAYS! No matter how challenging the day was, how many open loops are occupying my mind, or messy the house may be- when I melt into his arms, everything is right with the world. A close runner up is a great conversation with my kids, friends, or someone new. Whether we’re discussing great books, movies, or opportunities to enhance care for life or community, that’s my happy place.

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