We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Akasha Tiller a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Akasha, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
The riskiest thing that I have ever done in my life was in the end of August 2024, I essentially moved Across the country by myself at 20 years old to pursue modeling. I went through a spiritual journey where I was fasting during that month after I lost everything from my job ,to my future job, crash my car and was dealing with that. I went on a walk by Faith and not by sight and I was like OK let’s see what happens if I just go out here for seven days and I came out here stayed with my cousin for seven days and end up getting booked at the end of the week because it was Fashion Week . It was the craziest start to a new journey.
Akasha, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a young entrepreneur with a passion for creativity and purpose. Originally from Arizona, my journey began in Philadelphia, where I was born. I was raised in Las Vegas and spent much of my life growing up in Arizona. From a young age, I was drawn to the arts—musical theater, dance, and acting captivated me. I loved entertaining and anything that allowed me to express myself creatively. I was on the dance team, learning tap, jazz, and contemporary styles, and I also sang in choir. Acting brought me closer to the world of Broadway, which became a big inspiration for me.
However, when I transitioned to public school, I lost my way for a while. I became rebellious, making choices that led me off track. Over time, I began to realign with my passions and discovered that modeling was something I truly wanted to pursue—or at least, that’s what I thought at the time.
Through the challenges of the past four years, I’ve experienced significant growth. I wrote an eBook to share my journey—the trials and tribulations I’ve faced and how I ultimately found God’s purpose for my life. The book explores my experiences with relationships, spiritual warfare, and the mistakes of my past. It also dives into self-love, personal growth, finances, and career.
This is more than just a book—it’s an interactive, accountability-driven guide. It features personal stories, reflective exercises, and tools to help readers deepen their connection with God. I’ve also included resources for men and women, including natural healing products and practical tips for growth and healing.
What sets me apart is my age and perspective. As a young Black woman, I’m striving to walk in God’s purpose and inspire others to do the same. In a generation where many are distracted, I’m determined to lead by example in the entertainment industry showing that it’s possible to be woke, grounded, and committed to living a life of purpose. My mission is to empower others—especially young people—to discover their God-given power, peace, and potential.
Have you ever had to pivot?
I’ve had to pivot so many times in my life and career, often because I believed God was leading me in a specific direction—only to realize it wasn’t what I thought it would be. When I originally started planning my move to New York, I was working two jobs: one as a security guard and another side job. My goal was simple—pay off debt, save some money, and move to New York by the end of the year or early 2025.
But life had other plans. During this time, I learned about remote closing, which seemed like an easy and lucrative opportunity. I landed an interview with a company, went through an intensive two-week training process, and poured myself into it while fasting and seeking God’s guidance. By the end of the training, however, the company chose another candidate. I was devastated—I truly believed this was the path God wanted me to take.
At the same time, my other job let me go, leaving me with nothing to fall back on. I was at a complete crossroads, wondering what God’s plan for me really was. That’s when I decided to take a leap of faith. Using my flight benefits, I booked a trip to New York for a week, determined to see if the move would work out. I told myself, If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.
Once I got here, things started falling into place. I began booking events and gigs, slowly building momentum. It’s not that I don’t want a traditional job—I’ve applied for many, and my resume is impressive. Despite being young, I graduated early, have been working since I was 15, and have diverse experience in customer service, security, brand ambassading, and more. But every time I try to secure a stable job, it doesn’t work out. At this point, I’ve realized maybe God doesn’t want me to have a regular 9-to-5.
This realization inspired me to write my eBook. It’s for women who have faced the same struggles—uncertainty, rejection, and moments of doubt. It’s not just a book; it’s an interactive e-course designed to help men and women grow. It includes journaling prompts, planners, meal prep guides, and healing resources. It digs deep into the challenges I’ve faced and how I overcame them, offering guidance for anyone trying to navigate their purpose.
My goal is to lead men and women to empowerment and faith. Through this eBook, I want to show others that even when life forces you to pivot, there’s always a bigger plan at work—God’s plan.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
I think the biggest thing people might struggle to understand about me through the book is, first, how I was able to sacrifice so much and, second, how I came to the conclusions I share. All the information in the book is based on my personal experiences and what I came across over the years—whether it was sermons that popped up on my phone, guidance from pastors, encounters with prophets, or life circumstances that shaped me.
This journey wasn’t something that happened overnight; it’s been years in the making. I remember being prayed over about five years ago, and the prophet told me I’d be in New York City by the time I was 20. At the time, I couldn’t see how that would happen. But life has a way of weaving things together. I lost sight of that vision for a while, especially when I got into a toxic relationship that consumed me. I became so wrapped up in that situation that I forgot about my purpose altogether.
When I finally began to reconnect with God and dig deep into my experiences, I felt compelled to share my story. Of course, I couldn’t include everything in the book—not only because of space but because some details are too personal to put in a $20 eBook. My goal wasn’t to overshare but to create something impactful—something filled with prompts and tools that could truly help others. The Holy Spirit put it on my heart to release this project, even though it’s very different from anything I’ve ever done before,specially because I’ve only focused on modeling for awhile.
I think the one thing people might misunderstand about me through this book is the fact that I’m openly promoting Christianity while admitting that I’ve been lukewarm in my faith. I’m not ashamed of my journey or the times I’ve fallen short. Instead, I’m embracing my imperfections and striving to be better every day.
Because I’m real and authentic, I know some might question why I’m changing my brand and shifting my audience. The truth is, this isn’t just a rebranding—it’s a reflection of my growth and my purpose. My mission now is to inspire others to embrace their faith and find their path, just as I’m finding mine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stan.store/Akashatiller
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akashatillerr/profilecard/?igsh=MWV4cXJidzNmM3hpYg==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15Zi6gRUmP/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@akashatillerr?si=2CNORDKokQrOVnnR
- Other: TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@akashatillerr?_t=8sOKyS3Wc3i&_r=1
@akashatillerr for pretty much everything if the links don’t work !