Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tanya Lavache. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Tanya thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Talk to us about building your team? What was it like? What were some of the key challenges and what was your process like?

My business was a one-woman army for years. When work started to become overwhelming, I realized I needed more hands on deck because I wasn’t able to continue moving efficiently as a solo show. I was selective with who I brought on because I was looking for individuals who were hungry and determined. From past work experiences the first two individuals I brought on board I already knew they were reliable and trustworthy to get what was needed down. Once they understood the direction we were heading to, the team started to slowly develop. The interview and training process was smooth due to my clear-cut directive style. I don’t sugarcoat anything. I teach so you can learn and when I train I consider everyone’s learning style. I train my employees to not only understand the current position they’re in but also to develop their resumes so they can move forward in life with a robust skill set to succeed. Life is lived in seasons and stages, and I value the development of an individual so they can become the person of their dreams. Knowledge is power and the one thing I would change if I would start today is seeking mentors and partners earlier because knowledge is the key to life.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

As a young girl, I always knew I wanted to be an artist. At one point I wanted to do it all because I was gifted at drawing, painting, fashion, graphic design, photography, and dance. After multiple rounds of trial and error then eventually getting mentors, I came to realize photography was my true passion. As a New Yorker, the hustle mindset is how you survive and my brand was created for me to have a path to share my gifts and overcome circumstances that were life-altering. The pandemic gave my brand a spotlight to be noticed. Since then, I’ve been able to work with fashion brands, celebrity clients, and beauty campaigns, as well as document unbelievable events. It wasn’t easy, but I overcame so many obstacles by staying resilient with a smile. I managed to move forward by staying warm, expressing tenderness, and having a strong belief in myself and my ability. My brand is a product of passion and perseverance giving creativity a place to play. I’m most proud of how far I have come and this is only the beginning. My team and I will be adding weddings to our services and will be opening a studio in NYC very soon.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The best strategy for growing your clientele is consistency. Consistent communication, consistent networking, consistent service quality, and consistent results. Understanding this is a business moved forward by the people. Be what the people talk about, think about, reference, and refer to. When you are consistent your cooking with gas and the world is your oyster.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

My advice for managing a team is to understand you have a box of crayons and not a soup. Understand the strengths and weaknesses of the people that make up your team. Give them space to make mistakes but be prepared to guide them correctly. Be clear about the rules and expectations of their role and the company. Be clear about consequences and practice equality as well as equity. Always highlight their accomplishments so they feel seen and appreciated. When your employee feels valued, you will get more out of someone who likes going to work. Lastly, never cross the ethical line between personal and business. Understand the beauty and importance of privacy.

Contact Info:

• Website: tanyalavache.com
• Instagram: @by.lavache

Image Credits
Artist Headshot- Manny Inoa All Photography – By Tanya Lavache