On the Avenue, I believe in showcasing phenomenal women. I believe in sharing stories in hopes that they may help others. I believe in inspiring others through a community because the client base here on ‘The Avenue’ is exactly that. Women everywhere have dreams, ambitions, and goals. These women have proven that they’ve poured their hearts into their projects and/or businesses. They’ve probably cried at their failures and have laughed at their mistakes. Now, I’d like to rejoice in their success! I’m telling their stories to share within our community on why they’re phenomenally female.
MEET TIANNA
What do you do? I’m a Full-Time Wife, Mom, and Owner of Bailey Avenue Design. Although I still have my 9-5 as a Payroll professional, I thoroughly enjoy working with women and helping them create their brands and websites.
Growing up, did you always dream that you would be doing what you’re doing now? Absolutely not. I always thought I’d become a lawyer or have my own television show. I was born with the gift of gab and never thought I would find my way in design. I can vividly remember walking around in my mother’s heels and using a pen or pencil as my microphone as I pretended to be filmed hosting the “TDLJ” (my initials before marriage) show. I’d interview various friends and family and feel fabulous while doing so. In hindsight, it seems I enjoyed connecting with others at a young age and helping them decide what they wanted to discuss or share with whomever they wanted.
What made you decide to “go for it” in terms of your career goals/ambitions? If I am being honest, I always wanted to go into some sort of business. I tried my hand at wedding and event planning and tried to recruit several friends to go into business with me. I was afraid of failing and failing by myself. For some reason, I thought I needed someone. No one took the bait, and I was alone.
After the birth of our first daughter Ava, my husband just couldn’t stop taking photos of her. And, in my opinion – they were publication worthy photos. I convinced him to start his own photography business and I would help him figure out the rest. I began planning everything – his logo, business cards, website, social media marketing. And to my surprise – I fell in love with it! I realized what may have been tough for some, came easily to me. Pairing color schemes, coding websites, designing in Photoshop, and Illustrator was something that I had begun to teach myself and I have never looked back. Working on Simply Vivid Photography was a way for me to zone out and be creative! I decided from then on out that I would build my own design company from the ground up – and here we are!
Did you face adversity? What did you learn from your setbacks and what drives you to continue despite them? Yes. One Thousand times yes. It is hard building a business. It’s like walking into the unknown and expecting the best to happen out of thin air. As for setbacks, I’ve struggled with troublesome clients, and not having an exact process in place for new clients. I have since learned how to stand as an entrepreneur and to give my clients the best onboarding experience with detailed plans as well as letting them know what to expect along the design process.
When you’re in business for yourself, you learn you make the rules, and with that comes a sense of getting to know yourself on such a deeper level. You learn to place yourself in the consumer’s shoes and to me, that drives me to continue. I love my business and I love creating for my clients!
By far, my favorite Bible passage is:
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” – Philippians 4:8
I believe in sharing the stories of phenomenal women. That has been my story and I believe that is your story too. We want your journey here on the blog to help encourage others just like you and I. If you’d like to share that with us, please come over and share your story with us!
