We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Teresa “MiZZ Entertainment” Edwards a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Teresa “MiZZ Entertainment”, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Taking A Risk

I believe life isn’t worth living if you don’t take risks. Now…risk means something different to everyone. For one of my risks…its writing and telling my story. Ever since being a little girl…I enjoyed storytelling. And the best ones when people are their authentic selves telling their own story. I love documentaries and just well told stories. And with that…I want to be an instrument to others in telling my stories. I always say….”If I can help one person, then my job is done.” So here’s comes the risk part…with telling my own story and being totally transparent and authentic means…exposing all the good, the bad, and the effed up situations that happened to me. So that was a hindrance that affected me for a very long time. I would start and then change my mind due to the trauma of it all. But then I said…if you are going to be that instrument that God can use to help others…then you must put it out there and stand in your story. So, I did. Now technically, I first books where children books…The Adventures of Hildie and Carlos. This is my gift to my granddaughter and my grandcat. I need something that my granddaughter could always be proud of her grandmother. Then I tackled my story…Articles Of Life: A Collections of Short Memoir Essays of Managing Life.

I’ve learned that life really isn’t worth living if you don’t take risks. Not the reckless kind but the kind that stretch, grow, and pull you into who you were always meant to become. And “risk” looks different for everybody.

For me, one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken is…telling my story.

From the time I was a little girl, storytelling excited me. I loved listening to people talk about their lives. The real stories, the messy ones, the ones that weren’t polished or pretty. Maybe this is why I love, love, love reality TV…LOL. But I also love documentaries and testimonies. I loved anything where people stood in their truth and said, “This is who I am…no mask, no filter…unapologetically me!”

Something in that always felt special to me.

As I got older, I realized I wanted to do the same. I wanted my voice, my story, my experiences…good, bad, and everything in between…to be an instrument. I’ve always said, “If I can help just one person, then my job is done.” That’s still the core of who I am.

But here’s the part people don’t talk about…Telling your story means exposing yourself.
It means peeling back layers and showing chapters you’d rather forget. It means revisiting trauma that your heart worked overtime to bury. It means saying out loud what you used to only whisper to yourself.

For a long time, that fear had me stuck.
I’d start writing… then stop.
Start again… then stop.
The memories were too heavy. The emotions were too real. And honestly…it sometimes felt too hard.

But eventually, I had to face myself in the mirror.
I had to ask myself, “How can I say I want to help others heal if I’m too afraid to stand in my own truth?”
If God is going to use me as an instrument, then I have to give Him something to work with.
And that meant being brave enough to stand in my story instead of running from it.

So…I did.

Interestingly, my first published books weren’t about me at all. They were children’s books: The Adventures of Hildie and Carlos. A little gift to my granddaughter and my grandcat. Something bright. Something innocent. Something she can always look back on and say, “My grandmother created that.”

But after that… it was time.
Time to stop hiding behind fear.
Time to stop pretending I wasn’t called to share my truth.
Time to stand in the light of my own words.

That’s when I wrote Articles of Life: A Collection of Short Memoir Essays of Managing Life.

That book…every single page of it…was a risk.
A risk to be vulnerable.
A risk to be judged.
A risk to be misunderstood.

But also…
A risk to be seen.
A risk to be healed.
A risk to finally set myself free.

And you know what…it was worth every moment of hesitation.

What I learned is this:
Your story may carry the exact breakthrough someone else has been praying for.
You hiding it doesn’t protect you; it only delays someone else’s healing.

Risk isn’t just about jumping off cliffs or chasing big dreams. Sometimes the biggest risk is admitting what you’ve survived. Standing in who you’ve become. And choosing to be real in a world full of pretend.

So, if you’re reading this and you feel a tug in your spirit…
If you’ve got a story you’ve been too scared to tell…
If your heart is beating fast even thinking about it…

Let this be your sign.

Your story has purpose.
Your voice has power.
And somewhere, someone needs your truth to unlock their own.

Take the risk.
Not because it’s easy.
But because it’s time.

I have a workbook that will help you do just that.

Go to my website…TSEdwardsAuthor.com

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?

Teresa Edwards is a powerhouse in the entertainment industry, known for her dynamic presence as a speaker, host, and creative force. Over the years, she has moderated and led hundreds of events, captivating audiences, elevating conversations, and bringing unmatched energy to every stage. Her ability to connect with people from all walks of life has earned her opportunities to work with major organizations such as Warner Bros. Discovery, AT&T, the Technology Association of Georgia, the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, and Year Up.

Teresa’s journey into the entertainment world was shaped by her lifelong passion for storytelling and creating meaningful experiences. What began as a love for writing and performance grew into a full-scale career built on creativity, service, and innovation. Today, she is the Co-Owner of Terror Dome Entertainment, a multimedia production company that specializes in live events, stage productions, studio services, artist development, and creative consulting. Through this work, she helps clients bring their stories to life…whether through film, music, live shows, or spoken-word experiences.

As a true visionary, Teresa wears many hats: author, playwright, producer, director, actor, consultant, mentor, and coach. This versatility is what earned her the well-deserved title of “MiZZ Entertainment.” Her portfolio spans books, stage plays, web series, artist showcases, and curated events designed to inspire and empower audiences. Whether she’s developing a show, producing content, mentoring young creatives, or helping organizations elevate their storytelling, Teresa’s commitment to excellence shines through in everything she touches.

What sets Teresa apart is her heart. Her clients quickly discover that working with her isn’t a transactional experience…it’s transformational. She invests in people, guides them, encourages them, and creates safe, creative spaces where ideas can thrive. Those fortunate enough to collaborate with her don’t just become clients; they become family.

Teresa is most proud of the impact she makes helping others find their voice, build confidence, and step boldly into their own creative power. Her mission is simple: to use her gifts to uplift, to connect, and to leave every room and every person better than she found them.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

People always ask how I met my husband, and honestly… the story still cracks me up. If someone turned it into a movie scene, it would fit perfectly between a rom-com and a “God has jokes” moment.

So let me set the stage.

I was friends with his cousin who always had people over, always hosted something, and always expected you to show up. One night she had a house party, and because I’m a woman of my word, I went. But listen… when I’m around people I don’t know…I am very reserved, clock-watching…the “one that will slip out while you weren’t looking” friend.
If I stayed for 30 minutes, that was me being generous.

According to my husband, that was the first night he saw me. Not met me…just saw me. I didn’t see him at all. But apparently something about that moment caught his attention, because he immediately went to his cousin asking, “Who is that?”

But he didn’t push it.

Fast forward almost a year later. Same cousin. Another invite. This time it was to her cousin’s birthday party…which was my future husband’s brothers party. Again, I show up, stay 30 minutes MAX, and prepare my exit. But before I leave, I notice him pull his cousin to the side… while staring at me from the corner of his eye like a sixth grader with a crush.

And I’m like…“Oh no. Nope. I am OUT of here.”
I practically ran to my car.

A few months passed. Life went on. Then one day, that same cousin invited me to meet her at the mall so we could shop for a road trip to Bike Week. Cool…a girls’ outing, you would think…right?

I should’ve known better.

I get to the mall, and she is not alone.
Her mother is there.
And so is he.
The stalking/“side-eye while whispering to her” cousin…LOL.

At this point I’m thinking… Oh, so this is a setup.

He tries making small talk, and I was not impressed. I gave him the polite-short-answer energy. The “sir, I did not come here for this” energy.

But then…

He brought up music.

And that changed everything.

It was like someone flipped a switch. Suddenly the conversation got interesting. We were talking, laughing, vibing… and from that moment, we were inseparable.

And that is how I met my co-founder, my partner, my husband…all thanks to a cousin who wouldn’t give up, and one conversation about music that sealed the deal.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When people ask me about resilience, I always say this…the biggest proof of my resilience is that I’m still standing.

My life hasn’t been easy. I’ve survived abuse, poverty, and loss on a level that could break a person…including the deaths of both my parents. I’ve lived through the military. I’ve lived through COVID. Honestly, those two alone could be entire chapters in a resilience textbook.

But the truth is very simple…
As long as you’re still breathing, you’re still fighting.
As long as you wake up and still trying, you are resilience in motion.

I’m not where I am because life has been gentle with me. I’m here because I refused to let the hard moments define me. I’m here because I kept going when quitting would’ve been easier. And I’m here because I believe every scar can turn into a story that helps someone else heal.

So yes…my resilience is my Survivors Testimony.
The fact that I’m here, whole, hopeful, and still pushing forward…that’s the story.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tsedwardsauthor.comm
• Instagram: @tsedwards_author
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresaedwards-coach/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@terrordomeent