We were lucky to catch up with Tia Busby recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tia, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I wanted to pursue a creative path when I first realized that there is no limit to what I can do professionally. There are so many ways to be a professional in all different parts of life, and career paths. It ultimately comes down to what you choose to be. I knew that there was so more in me when I discovered dance. It constantly motivated me to become a better version of myself, in every way. From there, I fell in love with all types of art. From the history, to the way it simply captivates you. Music definitely sparked something in me at a very early age, and this introduced me to ways in which music complimented so many different forms of art we see today. It was beautiful for me to realize how important it was to have in my life.

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

Hi, my name is Tia and I am a Dancer, Model, Educational Counselor, and all around creative. Though I have always had a passion for dance, and the arts, I have also felt the importance of people being as healthy as they could be; and that are able to grow into diverse, passionate, and well-rounded individuals. I am currently working as a Dance Instructor for an Independent dance company in and around the Atlanta area. I love what I do, because it allows me to dance, and move everyday. It also allows me to have as much creative freedom as I would like.

I hope to one day have my very own studios in Atlanta. A studio to provide various opportunities for those who utilize their creativity as a way to express themselves , or have a passion for something they want to grow within. What sets me apart is my versatility. My ability to connect the arts in different ways. This has made it possible for me to adapt to the different forms of art seamlessly.
I most proud of the strength I have to keep going. In the Entertainment, and Arts Industry it can be very difficult to navigate and a tough environment to grow it.

However, I believe this is the thing that was able to make me a more resilient individual, and to become more confident all around. I want the same for those around me as well.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I do think that my family were the first people to tell me that I should just play it safe, and find a job that I would be secure in. This crushed me as I got older. However, I knew that they were not telling me things like that because they did not think it could be done. They were projecting a fear of uncertainty on me, and my career that was underdeveloped, and not supporting me financially. This fear lives in many of the people in older generations, because all they know is “working hard” for what you have.

I personally believe that I should not have to kill myself to make it by, or to be unhappy in the profession I am in just to make ends meet. I want to be able to do what I love everyday. I want to be able to work hard at it every single day to make it better than it was yesterday. We only have one life to live, and I want to make sure that I am living out what I feel like my purpose is in this world everyday.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I definitely had to unlearn a lot of what was considered to be the “right” thing to do in life. I had to learn that there is no right way, and there is no wrong way. You just have to ride the wave, or the rollercoaster, or however you refer to life’s challenges. It was definitely not an easy thing to unlearn. However, after deciding that I was going to live for me, I instantly began to feel freedom within myself.

Another thing that I had to unlearn was the expectations behind what it meant to be a model, dancer, and entertainer. I learned that it should mean something different for everyone, and that not everyone has to think the same, or be the same as a creative. In modeling, for example, the European beauty standards have taken over the modeling industry and have made themselves the emblem for beauty, and poise. However, I believe it is my duty to show the world that anyone can be a model. Whether that be for runway, commercial, editorial, or catalog/print. There is always enough room in spaces for those who are willing to put in the work, and practice for their craft, and to be fearless enough to go for their dreams.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tiabiaa.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tia.bia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tia.bia.79/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXaHfuhhp58AN9Jg4tRDIQ
• Other: Podcast : https://www.instagram.com/theblossom_podcast/ Dance Content : https://www.instagram.com/tiabiadances/

Image Credits
captured.by.ami Jordan Desamours