We were lucky to catch up with Tierashia Adair recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tierashia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

It was year 14 in the four walls of a public school, elementary classroom; when there was an ever-growing frustration on the inside of me that I was supposed to be doing something different beyond that space. I was being beckoned to do more beyond those “four walls”. I was called to impact more people’s lives for the better, using my creative gifts of writing, speaking, problem-solving, and my relational genius to create and build programs that would undeniably change lives for the good. There was a greater desire that stemmed from my faith in God that I was chosen to Encourage, Educate, and Empower both women and children on a larger scale at a greater level.

I had started feeling the shift in my heart and soul five years before I obediently resigned from being a “four walls” teacher to a “beyond the four walls” educator. I was also comprising list after list of all of these creative ideas that were flooding my mind. The memories from my youth of owning my own businesses keep coming to surface.

It was certainly a risky decision. Who would leave a familiar, comfortable place of predictable and consistent income for one that was uncertain? Who would be willing to become a self-motivated learner? Who would be willing to ride the wild stallion of entrepreneurship and be bucked and tossed off of the beast many times before being able to tame it?

I would! That someone was ME!

I turned in my letter of resignation. I would not be returning to the school for another year. This decision was met with a lot of opposition and questioning. The people in my environment thought I had lost my mind. I was begged to stay. Even my own feelings attacked me, “Who’s going to help the students and the parents?” It was as if I felt like the fate of the world was dependent upon me. I knew that I had actually gained my mind, because I knew that finally, I was standing up to the giant that said I could only do one thing and be confined to one space. For too long, I allowed people to place me in a box and say that I could only do this or that. They were oblivious to the fact that I was multi-gifted and was a visionary who could see bigger things.

On this journey as a creative entrepreneur, I have had some great struggles, but I have also had some great successes. I had some losses that were enough to send the average person back to the safety whence they came, but when you know without a shadow of a doubt that you are supposed to be on the path that you’re on, then you persevere. You suffer what you must and keep moving on. I have also had some significant gains in which I have met many amazing entrepreneurs, experienced some wonderful opportunities, and have gained a whole new set of skills that I didn’t previously have. Now, I am even more of an asset that what I previously was.

I have accomplished so much on this four year journey. I have hosted life-changing events, mentored women to grow and go in their purpose, encouraged and motivated youth in various settings, provided educational services for companies and universities, spoken at many events, published several books (with more on the way), and had more doors opening for me for various opportunities, such as voice over recordings, book collaborations, acting, directing, and more.

I have learned to stand alone in my God-given vision. I have learned to walk confidently, authentically, and unapologetically in my purpose, using ALL of my gifts to help Encourage, Educate, and Empower people in various forms. I won’t ever give up this journey up, because this is where I am supposed to be now. Eventually, greater results will be seen as I continue to work.

Taking risks can be scary, but if you step out in obedient faith, you will experience the great rewards for your sacrifice.

Tierashia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I grew up in the small town of Hempstead, TX. It was the place where everybody, or at least ALMOST everybody knew your name. Lol.

As a child, I LOVED (yes, all caps…LOVED) reading and writing! You could always find me somewhere reading or writing. I also encouraged and unofficially counseled people in my youth. It was a part of who I was. I was a person who was passionate about the arts. I enjoyed creating things. I remember making my own paper dolls, drawing fashion images, drawing in general, painting, crafting in various ways, and rebuilding the sets of game shows.

I was a journaler who found it therapeutic to write about my feelings and what was happening to me in my life. I also would write songs and poetry as a way to express myself, because I didn’t feel like I was heard as a child. A enjoyed dancing and singing, even though they were not my natural gifts, but I could get by. Lol. As I grew a little older, I started participating in U.I.L poetry interpretation and the one-act play. I loved acting! It was my desire to be a rich and famous, Hollywood actress and a professional, creative writer.

I went to college and majored in Drama/Theater Arts and got a minor in Business Administration. I later obtained two master degrees in Curriculum and Instruction in different focused areas. I later learned as a teacher, by default (which is a story for another day. Perhaps, I will write that book. Lol.). During my experience as a “four walls” teacher, I discovered that I loved teaching in general, not just children, but people. I also learned that all of my gifts were needed in the educational arena. When I was teaching, T. Adair Enterprises was birthed in my mind. It would be an umbrella business of different creative projects that provided services and products that would fulfilled the mission to “build the city by building the people”; Encourage, Educate, and Empower.

Through T. Adair Enterprises, LLC; I provide the following services: speaking, writing, trainings and workshops; beginning business development, event planning ideas and development, program development, and ministry planning consulting, and educational services. The products that are offered are women empowerment and writing events, books, and digital products.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

YES! In ALL that I do as a creative, it is my mission to Encourage, Educate, and Empower! When I am developing my creative ideas, I ask the question “How will this product or service Encourage, Educate, and Empower the individual?” I only want to use my gifts for the betterment of people for the good, especially from the inside out.

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

When I knew things were shifting from the inside out and that I was being pulled to do something different. ALL of the creative thoughts and ideas to serve people through my artistic gifts that were rising to the surface, made me feel out of place. I was surrounded by people who were “in the box”, while my ideas were “outside the box.” I was misunderstood when I tried to explain to others, even my spouse. Then God allowed me to come across the book “Called to Create” by Jordan Raynor. It was thought-provoking and revolutionary! It confirmed that I was not crazy, but that I was right in sync with a greater plan for my life that had been awakening over the years. It encouraged and fueled me.

I also attended the “Ministry and Marketplace” Conference in Chicago, Illinois that was hosted by Pastor Bill Winston. It, too, encouraged me in such a way that I knew I had to keep moving forward on this new journey. I remember that at the time, I was off of social media for a year, and I did not want to get back on it. However, I attended a social media workshop at the conference and I concluded that it wasn’t a matter of whether or not I wanted to go back on social media, I HAD to. That is where the people are in this current society. Now social media is a MUST for me! I get the majority of business from social media. I have met the majority of my business partners and collaborators via social media. Through the content that I create, people are always reaching out to tell me how they are encouraged and that I need to continue creating content, which I am. NO DOUBT!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tadairenterprises.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tierashia.adair.7/ AND https://www.facebook.com/tadairenterprises/
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@tierashiaadair3361

Image Credits
Arthrayia Love Tompkins Cynthia Vence