Tiara Riley is a motivational speaker, business owner, author, and mompreneur that is taking the world by storm. With her book, 23…And Finally Loving Me, Tiara discusses with her audience about her breakthrough discovery during a season of depression and how she overcame her trials and tribulations. We would love to have Tiara be featured on the podcast to talk about her journey as a mompreneur, author, and life coach to help women overcome their darkest season. During this time, Tiara has also released a new product which is her personal development Bootcamp called Rethinking Me! Tiara walks through a curriculum that focuses on becoming a better you.
What inspired you to become an author and motivational speaker?
It was something that I sort of fell into, by simply doing what felt right at each moment. I try to be obedient to God and do the next thing he tells me to do, even when I have no idea what’s coming after that. When I hear very clearly that this is something I’m supposed to do, I try to do it without hesitation.
My first book started as a journal, and I was just committed to my healing and self-love journey. I did not intend to write a book! I just wrote through my healing process because writing has always been therapeutic for me. Several years later, I felt a strong urging to type up the book. I didn’t know why, but I did it.
Shortly after getting the book typed, someone at my church mentioned her daughter was struggling with suicide (something I’ve dealt with as well) and I was able to help her through the lens of a survivor. I shared the digital copy of my book with her and her daughter and it felt great to be able to help someone survive what I had experienced. It was in that moment that I was first grateful for my challenges with depression and suicide because it equipped me to be able to help someone else.
After that experience, I started the process to publish the book. While it was in the final stages of publishing, I was also planning a women’s empowerment event for my sorority. The president of my chapter said in a planning meeting “I wonder if we have any other authors in our chapter” and I let her know that I would be published by then. She immediately added me to the agenda as a speaker and that was the day, I discovered my purpose.
I will never forget how it felt to be on stage as a Motivational Speaker for the first time. I had given presentations and spoken in public before, but this felt different. I realized that it was the very thing I was meant to do and the reason I was placed on this earth. I felt like my experiences could help others and I would be honored to do it again, thankfully I have had the pleasure of walking in my gifting for over 4 years now.
I say all that to say, I found my calling through obedience. You don’t always know why God is telling you to do something or who is going to be connected to the result…but you must be obedient. I don’t know who needs to hear this but, delayed obedience is still disobedience. Get it done!
What are the biggest challenges you face as an author and mompreneur?
Finding balance and consistency, which ironically enough were my strengths before becoming a mother. I am relearning what it means to be an entrepreneur, practice self-care, and be consistent now that I am a mother. It takes a special set of skills, but I am getting there.
When I was pregnant, I thought I’d take 2 months off the business and be ready to hit the ground running. It took me at least a year to even think about the possibility of getting back to business, my entire life changed (for the better of course). Now that my daughter is about 18 months, I can find new rhythms for myself and figure it out along the way! She’s walking, talking, and semi-independent which helps A LOT!
What does your current self-care routine look like for you?
Massages – every 3 weeks (like clockwork)
Therapy – every 2 weeks
Journaling – daily
Running – 3-4 times per week (the goal is daily, but…life!)
I also try to talk to my friends as often as possible and I set up friend dates regularly. I have also gotten into the habit of buying something for ME, just because, every payday. While those are all the fun things, self-care is also accountability, growth, and healing!
What are some of the most common questions you receive about being an author and entrepreneur?
I’m big on being the resource I needed, so I will answer the question with links to the answers!
How do you find the time? – Tiara’s Tips for Time Management
How did you find the courage to tell your story authentically? – Owning Your Story
How can I get my finances in order? – Budget Template
What did you do to discover self-love? – 23…and Finally Loving Me!
How did you overcome the grief of a miscarriage? How can I support my loved one experiencing grief? – Life After Loss
My life is all over the place, how can I get it back on track? – #RethinkingMe
How do you hope to continue growing your brand over the next couple of years?
My current focus is on visibility and getting back out there after taking a year+ off to transition into motherhood. I hope to get back into the routine of speaking engagements regularly, appearing on your favorite podcasts, and connecting with dope humans!
Can you name a female entrepreneur that inspires you?
I am inspired most by Black Women entrepreneurs who are 1st generation wealthy because it shows me what is possible in 1 lifetime. Some of my favorite entrepreneurs to learn from include Kandi Burrus, Beyonce, Oprah, and Michelle Obama. I have learned so much just from watching their stories and understanding some of what it took to reach the success they are experiencing. I love understanding their mindsets and why they make some of the decisions that they make, it’s so inspiring.
What is your definition of a Pretty Woman Who Hustles?
Someone who doesn’t just rely on their appearance, although they could if they wanted to. A woman who has goals, dreams, and aspirations and works intentionally toward them. Above all, a pretty woman who hustles is someone who thinks about the next couple of generations!
Connect with Tiara online:
Website – www.TiaraNicoleRiley.com
Social Media – @TiaraNicoleRiley on all platforms!
PRETTY WOMEN HUSTLE ONLINE 