We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tia Uzzell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.

The greatest thing my parents did right was supporting me in anything I wanted to do and giving me the freedom to explore my interests. Their encouragement wasn’t limited to one area—it spanned from creative projects to sports to academics, and even adventurous activities.

Being in Girl Scouts introduced me to crafting and fundraising, which planted the seeds for my entrepreneurial spirit and love for creative projects like tufting. In sports—whether it was taekwondo, basketball, swim team, track, or even the jump rope club—I learned discipline, how to be a team player, and the importance of perseverance. Academically, they encouraged me to join clubs like chess and advanced academic programs, which kept me curious and always eager to learn more.

But what really shaped who I am today was their support in more adventurous pursuits. From skydiving and hang gliding to archery and riflery, they taught me not to fear taking risks. That mindset has played a huge role in my entrepreneurial journey, especially when launching The Tuft Spot.

When I quit my corporate job in 2021, even though they may not have fully understood my decision, they supported me wholeheartedly. The Tuft Spot is actually my second business, and while it comes with its own set of risks and rewards, I wouldn’t have even picked up my first tufting gun if it wasn’t for my parents. After sharing this wild idea of making my own area rug, they purchased my first tufting kit for Christmas in 2022. My dad has been my go-to for building just about anything I need for the business, and before I signed the lease for The Tuft Spot, I made sure to ask my mom if she was 100% on board—because I knew I couldn’t move forward without their support.

Their belief in me, even when they didn’t fully understand my vision, gave me the confidence to take leaps of faith and trust in my journey.

Tia, 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’m a serial entrepreneur, 2x alumna of the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s in Accounting and an MBA, and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. I’m also an Enrolled Agent and Tax Accountant, and in 2021, I took a huge leap of faith and quit my corporate job to run my tax business, Uzzell & Associates, full-time. But I’m not just about numbers—I’m a creative at heart, too.

That’s where The Tuft Spot comes in. If you had told me a few years ago that I’d own a tufting studio, I probably would’ve laughed. Tufting started as a fun little hobby—I just wanted to make a rug for myself. But once I sharing my tufting journey, people started asking for custom rugs. The thing is, I didn’t want to just make rugs for people—I wanted them to experience making them. There’s something about putting in the work, figuring it out, and then stepping back to see what you created. That’s what makes it special. And just like that, The Tuft Spot was born.

For me, the best part isn’t just about people making rugs—it’s seeing their progression. Watching someone come in feeling unsure, getting frustrated when they don’t get it right at first, and then seeing that moment when it clicks—that’s what makes me proudest. Seeing that shift from doubt to accomplishment is everything.

The Tuft Spot isn’t just a place to make rugs—it’s an experience. It’s a space where people can let go, create, and connect with their inner creative. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never tufted before—anyone can walk in and make something dope.

And honestly, this business wouldn’t be what it is without the people. The Tuft Spot has grown because of the folks who come in, have an amazing time, and then tell everybody—friends, coworkers, even their bosses—about it. The social media posts, the word-of-mouth recommendations, the excitement when they see their finished rug… that’s what makes The Tuft Spot special.

At my core, I’m all about helping people—whether that’s through Uzzell & Associates by taking the stress out of taxes and business finances, or through The Tuft Spot by giving people the space to tap into their creativity. Both businesses represent me—the numbers side and the artistic side—and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Let me start by giving all the credit to the social media influencers who put The Tuft Spot on the map. When I started, I knew social media was important, but I didn’t fully understand just how game-changing it would be. The real shift happened when influencers like @life_withkaymarie, @foodpeopleluv, @thefloridaplayground, @foodbytiana, and so many others started sharing their experiences at The Tuft Spot.

Our very first influencer post went viral while I was at church. I didn’t even know she had posted her video, but by the time I checked my phone, all of my classes were sold out. It was wild! But here’s the thing… we weren’t ready. The demand blew up overnight, and while that’s a great problem to have, there was a lot of scrambling on my end to catch up. That experience taught me one of the biggest lessons in business:

Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.

If You’re Trying to Build Your Social Media Presence, Here’s My Advice:

1. Be Consistent. Post even when you feel like no one’s watching. People are watching more than they engage, and one post can change everything. Keep putting your business out there.

2. If You’re Gonna Work With Influencers, HAVE A PLAN. When an influencer puts your business in front of thousands (or millions) of new people, you need to be ready to capture that interest. If your products or classes sell out, have a waitlist or email sign-up ready so you don’t lose that momentum.

3. Engage With Your Audience. When people comment, DM, or tag you, respond! Build a community, not just a customer base. The more connected people feel, the more they’ll talk about you.

4. Use Social Proof. Repost customer experiences, testimonials, and user-generated content as much as possible. Let your happy customers do the marketing for you.

At the end of the day, The Tuft Spot grew because of people—people who loved the experience and told their friends, coworkers, and even their bosses about it. Social media can take your business to places you never imagined, but you have to be ready for it.

Any advice for managing a team?

Growing up playing basketball, I learned early on that there’s no ‘I’ in team—and that’s exactly how I approach The Tuft Spot. I always say The Tuft Spot is bigger than me because it truly is. It’s not a one-person job—it’s a team effort, and everyone on my team plays a role in bringing the vision to life. I want them to succeed not just within the business, but beyond it. If they have other aspirations, I want to encourage them to go after them with my full support. I create a space where they feel valued, where they can take ownership of what they do, and where open communication is key. A simple “thank you” and celebrating wins go a long way, and I make sure they know how much they matter. At the end of the day, The Tuft Spot is what it is because of the people who help run it. A strong, motivated team makes all the difference, and I couldn’t do this without them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.tuftspot.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/_thetuftspot
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/tuftspot