We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tia Frost. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tia below.

Tia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

In 2010, I was discovered at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Airport to join a plus size model troupe. In my journey as a model, John would watch me rehearse for hours. In 2011, I won Ms. Florida Plus America Elite Queen with Autism Awareness as my platform. John was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 3 and was non-verbal until the age of 7, At the age of 10, he expressed that he wanted to model like mommy. In 2012, I partnered with a Disability Center in Broward County to create a fashion show called “Independence on the Runway.” Our thought process was to combine two worlds of fashion and person with disabilities. At the time, there was no organizations offering modeling services for special needs youth and young adults. So, I became the model coach, producer, and Founder of No Limits Foundation, Inc. We believe that everyone has purpose. Throughout the years, the models have been celebrated with model gigs in the George W Bush Museum in the ADA Gala, scholarships for Down syndrome awareness, showcased in Time Square for Down syndrome Awareness, and have been showcased in Southwest Airlines internal magazine, two-page layout, and internal website. Models don’t have to talk, only walk and display the clothes with style and personality! John is a brand ambassador for Harrell’s Fine Fashions.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

My name is Tia Frost, mother of 7, and my oldest son John was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 3. He was non-verbal until the age of 7. In 2010, I was discovered in the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Airport by a plus size model scout. In 2011, I won Ms. Florida Plus America Elite Queen and my platform was Autism Awareness. When John turned 10, he expressed that he wanted to model like mommy. After researching model agencies, I could not find an agency that taught special needs youth and young adults how to model. I went to a IEP meeting and met a young lady with Celebral Palsy and she was the guest speaker. I knew I could ask her questions about her journey and how she got to this point. She worked for a disability center and we connected to collaborate my modeling skills with her clientele in 2012. We collaborated for years to create fashion shows for special needs youth and young adults by teaching them how to model with Independence on the Runway. In 2017, No Limits Foundation, Inc, Everyone Has Purpose was born. Since 2017, No Limits Foundation Inc has been featured on Channel 10 News, Southwest Airlines Internal Luv Lines December 2019 magazine, Southwest Airlines internal website in 2019, performed “Runway In The Sky” 2019, 2020, and 2021 at the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Airport in terminal one at the Southwest Lower Level ticket counter featuring local artist with disabilities. In December 2020, I was featured on the LAYS Operation Smile campaign. We believe in showcasing the talents of individuals who were born different. My marketing director had a stroke in his mother’s womb at birth and his left arm is paralyzed. He is responsible for my tshirts designs, website, and my LAYS cover photo. We have worked with DJ Hot Ride who has Spinal Bifida and is supported by a wheelchair, super model and Singer Marsha Elle who is an amputee, singer Michael D’Angelo who was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome, Speaker Terry Marshall who is a 2x throat cancer survivor, and many more. All of the models have been diagnosed with but no limited to Autism, Spinal Bifida, Williams Syndrome, Downs Syndrome, Cognitive disorders, Legally blind, Cancer survivors, and other hidden disabilities.

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

My audience started when I became a plus size model and was tagging myself in all the events that I was featured in and networking in the industry. I was also an makeup artist at time in 2010 and would volunteer in events to get my name out there and to build relationships that later became a foundation of friends that helped me create my fashion show platform with persons with disabilities. They were eager to help me with my vision since I helped them with theirs. Give and you shall receive. When I won, Ms Florida Plus America Elite in 2011, I had already built a name for myself locally in South Florida. As I continued to model, I used my crown to bring awareness to the disability community by showcasing youth and young adults on the runway and tagging individuals who also continued to tag their families proudly. At the shows, my host would ask everyone to use a hashtag and tag my page.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Word of mouth and consistency. Since 2012, we have produced a fashion show from back to school events to full fashion shows. Also, partnerships with other organizers and organizations to bring awareness and networking in your industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nolimitsfoundationinc.org
• Instagram: [email protected]
• Facebook: [email protected]

Image Credits
Photos By Luis Castillo and Mark Graham