We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tierra O’Neal a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tierra, appreciate you joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Yes, I make a full-time living from my creative work now, but it definitely wasn’t like this from the start. It’s been a journey for sure. One that’s taken a lot of faith, patience, and persistence. I’ve had to trust that God has me, even when things felt uncertain.

Building a sustainable career in this space takes real strength. I had to really hone in on my skills, stay open to learning, and constantly evolve. The industry moves fast, and if you’re not growing with it, you can get left behind. So, I made sure to always be improving, refining my craft, and figuring out how to position myself in a way that makes sense.

Could I have sped up the process? Absolutely! If I had known then what I know now, I probably would’ve been more strategic, charged my worth sooner, taken advantage of certain opportunities earlier and turned some opportunities down. But honestly, I’m grateful for how everything played out. Every challenge taught me something, built my confidence, and shaped the way I approach my work now.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

From a young age, I was drawn to video editing, spending hours perfecting my craft just for the love of it. But it wasn’t until after earning my Bachelor’s degree in Business Management that I realized I could turn that passion into a business. I started with HeavenlyErra Edits LLC, focusing on YouTube intros and other small projects. As I grew, so did my skills and vision.

One of the biggest turning points in my journey was working as a traveling content creator and assistant for a recording artist. That experience challenged me in ways I never expected! It made me see the bigger picture and pushed me to expand my business beyond just editing.

I rebranded to HeavenlyErra Media LLC., shifting from a small editing service to a full-scale media business offering both content creation and video editing. I also started providing resources for those looking to learn the art of editing. Now, my focus is on growth, collaborating on bigger projects, teaching others, and creating in a way that impacts people beyond just delivering content.

I’m most proud of turning my creativity into a full-time career while staying true to my vision. My business is a reflection of my passion for storytelling, excellence, and impact. I want people to know that everything I create is intentional, authentic, and designed to inspire. I’m not just here to edit content, I’m here to help others elevate their vision, whether through content creation, mentorship, or collaboration. My brand is about creativity, growth, and making art that truly connects.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A big lesson I had to unlearn was thinking that helping others always had to come before helping myself. I’ve always been a giver and someone who genuinely wants to see people win. Whether it’s clients, collaborators, or friends, I naturally pour into others and do everything I can to help them succeed. But for a long time, that meant I was putting myself, my creativity, and even my own brand on the back burner.

There was a point where I realized that constantly catering to others without making space for myself wasn’t sustainable. It’s easy to get caught up in serving everyone else’s vision while forgetting to nurture your own. And while giving is a beautiful thing, leaving yourself behind in the process can actually hurt you in the long run. You can definitely experience burnout, creative blocks, and even feeling disconnected from your own artistry.

So, I had to unlearn the idea that it’s either them or me because the truth is, I can do both. I can support others while still making room for my own growth. I had to be intentional about setting boundaries, prioritizing my own creative projects, and remembering that pouring into myself allows me to show up even stronger for others. Now, I’m learning to navigate that balance. Giving without losing myself in the process is the vibe!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building my audience on social media has been a journey, and honestly, I’m still learning and adapting as social media continues to change. It’s constantly evolving, and I’ve had to learn that what worked before doesn’t always work now. Algorithms shift, engagement changes, and audiences look for different things. Right now, I’m in the process of building a new tribe by connecting with people who truly align with my brand, creativity, and message. And that takes time.

For anyone just starting out, my best advice is: to stay true to yourself, and don’t get discouraged by the numbers. I don’t care nearly as much as I used to about numbers. Post content that represents you, engage with your audience, and don’t be afraid to show your personality. And most importantly, be patient. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, but as long as you keep showing up, your audience will find you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.heavenlyerramedia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heavenlyerra
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heavenlyerra
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/heavenlyerra
• Other: Business Instagram: www.instagram.com/heavenlyerramedia