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

Veronica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Ok, so, to begin… My name is Veronica Tierra. I’m a singer, actress, founder and creative director of Tierra & Friends. I grew up in a family of artists in Medellin, Colombia, and at the age of 4, I decided to sing and perform for the rest of my life, whatever that meant at the time (haha).

We migrated to the United States but never really lived in the same home since my family doubled as a theater group. Homeschooling was uncommon, especially for immigrant, non-English-speaking families, so I attended approximately 19 schools before college. Despite the constant change, I did well academically and met so many people. It wasn’t until I turned 14 that I realized my lifestyle wasn’t so common, but this didn’t bother me as I had my family and loved being on stage.

New York City was always a special place for me, so I opted to stay and pursued a college degree in music. I worked in various venues at the time that exposed me to different perspectives, sparking a newfound fascination with people. I enrolled in music history and world music courses during college that aligned my passion for music with my deep interest in culture. The realization of the vastness of the world struck me profoundly, as if diversity was a meticulously crafted inspiration. This perception freed me from a rigid ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ approach to life.

I took sociology courses that eventually led me to engage in discussions with professors about theories and approaches for hours, motivating me to pursue a BA in Sociology. I was already teaching kids at the time with other companies, and privately at home, but I delved into business courses and mentorships, envisioning the creation of something more meaningful.

The result was Tierra & Friends, a company with a mission to promote social capital, instill self-appreciation in children, and contribute to more accepting communities through music. In essence, Tierra & Friends emerged as a professional endeavor driven by love, attention to detail, and a commitment to showcasing the excellence found in our shared humanity.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I can’t say anything in my life has been very linear (haha), but I guess I can share how I never thought in a million years I’d be involved in education. As an actress and singer, I think most of us can agree there are so many challenges. You not only deal with the financial uncertainties but also carry the responsibility of your authenticity, what you value, your sound, self-belief, and resilience. At some point in my life, music and theatre began to feel like a curse. It was heavy. I remember one time, I sat with myself and thought about how talents are gifts and how I truly believe a gift is not to frustrate us. I tried to think outside the box and thanks to my personal experience with God, I began to believe that good things can happen to me too. Maybe I had to take my dreams, perhaps reshape them, and pray that their essence would still be there.

Sometimes we need to take our dreams and give them a little makeover and be open to the possibilities of them being better than what we were originally so forcefully committed to just because it’s what we said and what we wanted. I’m certainly glad I did.

People often approached me and asked if I could teach their kids how to sing, but I always said, “I’m not a teacher.” A friend hosting her little sister for the summer basically gave me no choice, dropping her off at my house because she needed her to do something else, and she really liked to sing. I, of course, had agreed, though not wholeheartedly. I never thought this would lead me to discover how much I love kids.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

This might not be the best most inspiring answer to this question but it’s honest. The capital for my business has been put together by faith and grit. To this day I don’t even know how this has been possible and we’ve somehow been able to work with thousands of students all over NYC, Miami, Naples, and Fort Myers. I like this question because it reminds me that I need to embrace it all, even the challenges. That I can trust God, and therefore myself. You must have clear priorities, and respect the money you have whether it’s a lot or a little of course, but if there’s a will, there’s certainly a way. I cannot wait to meet investors or sponsors in the near future that will join us in taking this to the next level.

None of this has been easy, but I can honestly say, I [truly] love what I get to do every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tierraandfriends.org
• Instagram: @vtierra @tierraandfriends
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tierraandfriends

Image Credits
Shot By Mag: @shotbymag Tina Photo: @tinapphoto