Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tiara Deahn Thornton, MBA. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tiara D. Thornton, MBA appreciate you joining us today. Looking back on your career, have you ever worked with a great leader or boss? We’d love to hear about the experience and what you think made them such a great leader.

The best leader I ever had was Steve Liddell. We met when I was working as a bank teller at Wells Fargo in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

He was one of my frequent customers and he gradually learned about my educational background. He was shocked that I had a Master’s degree in Business Administration and working at the bank.

I was still deciding what my next career move would be, when he offered me to interview as his Office Manager for a beverage distribution center.

He was not the typical branch manager. He would give me business and self-help articles to read to assist in my development. After a year, he was the one that force me to move to a bigger branch in the company.

I ended up working for the company for five years where I worked in administration, accounting, and sales. This experience laid the foundation for other opportunities that opened up for me in the future.

Working for Steve Liddell, he always brings out the best in his team. I am grateful for his guidance and leadership over the years.

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

I started my beauty, fashion, and lifestyle blog, sassycurls.com in March 2011. I naturally have a passion for writing and wanted a platform where I could share my tips, tutorials, and recommendations.

I am most proud of that my online platforms transcend naturally into my real life interactions.

The mission of Sassy Curls is to help women embrace their individuality, value their self-worth, and discover their dreams.

“Here’s to always being your B.E.S.T! Be Fashionable, Embrace Individuality, Stay Classy, Treat Yourself,” is the theme for my blog.

I have found that sharing my experiences have helped my community discover themselves in a positive light.

I am also involved in the fashion community. I worked with Phoenix Fashion Week on the media team. I have assisted models and designers backstage, at photoshoots, and media day events.

Working backstage revealed that preparation and planning is key. That’s why I created a free Model Kit Checklist for models, photographers, designers, and stylists to guide them on their next photoshoot or fashion event. Anyone can download for free at sassycurls.com/free.

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

For non-creatives, I would share this quote from Chuck Palahniuk, “Your handwriting, the way you walk, which china pattern you choose, it’s all giving you away. Everything you do shows your hand. Everything is a self portrait. Everything is a diary.”

Social media is another way to tell and share your story to connect with others. The sense of expressing ones views or journey comes in many forms writing, talking, to the clothes you wear.

There are extremes in anything. Navigating social media and cultivating content may seem unnatural or comes off as oversharing.

I have people that I follow from California to Florida and all the way to Germany. Without social media, I can’t think of another way that would have facilitated those interactions.

I like to come from a space as though you are in my home and we are just talking like old friends. That has helped me when managing my social platforms.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I recommend reading, You Are a Badass and You Are a Badass at Making Money, by Jen Sincero. Both of her books shifted my mindset on what I am capable of achieving and attracting for my life.

A poem I recommend is, “The Invitation” by Oriah Mountain Dreamer. It’s a beautiful poem.

An article I recommend is, When a ball has to drop, make sure it’s the right one by John Maxwell. It really puts what is important in your life in perspective.

The last article I recommend was also turned into a music video years ago, but the sentiments still resonate with me to this day. The article, “Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young,” by Mary Schmich.

The music video is, “Everybody’s Free” by Baz Luhrmann

All mentioned above, have changed my outlook on life for the better.

Contact Info:

• Website: sassycurls.com
• Instagram: @sassy_curls
• Facebook: Facebook.com/SassyCurlsBlog
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiara-d-thornton-mba-b0174847
• Twitter: @sassy_curls
• Youtube: YouTube.com/SassyCurlsTV
• Other: Pinterest, Twitter, TikTok, Snapchat: @sassy_curls

Image Credits
White Sweater Dress sitting down (myself) White top, orange polka dot skirt: Photographer: Nylmar Martinez – Saguaro Creations – @simplybossbabe Tea Time with Tiara Deahn: (myself) Blue Dress: Photographer Aubree Tibbetts – @aubree.photos Green, black, white blouse/black slacks: Nylmar Martinez – Saguaro Creations – @simplybossbabe Neon green blouse, leopard skirt: Kyle Fedasiuk @the.kyle.high.club White blouse, sequin skirt: Jonathan – @immortalpone White jumpsuit: Jonathan – @immortalpone