We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tiffany West-harvey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tiffany below.
Tiffany, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?
At Speak With Tiffany and through our book Becoming A Young CEO, we believe that the education system needs a stronger focus on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and real-world skills. While traditional academic subjects are important, students also need practical skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability to thrive in today’s ever-changing economy.
One change I would make is to introduce entrepreneurship courses at an earlier stage, starting in elementary school. These courses would teach students not only how to start and run a business but also how to cultivate creativity, resilience, and leadership—skills essential for building a fulfilling career and life. In addition, financial literacy education, including topics like budgeting, saving, and investing, should be a core part of the curriculum.
During my schooling, the focus was heavily on academics, but there was little emphasis on real-world applications. When I graduated, I knew how to solve equations and write essays, but I had no knowledge of creating a business plan, applying for grants, or building a professional network—skills that later became critical in my entrepreneurial journey. This lack of preparation made transitioning from school to career much harder than necessary.
One story that highlights this gap is when I started my first business and online business. Although I was passionate, I was unprepared for the realities of marketing, inventory, customer acquisition, and budgeting, all of which I had to learn through trial and error. That experience showed me how beneficial it would have been to have these concepts introduced earlier in life, which is one of the driving reasons behind writing Becoming A Young CEO. The book is designed to help kids get a head start in developing essential entrepreneurial skills.
By integrating entrepreneurial and financial education into the school system early on, we can empower students to take control of their futures and pursue more fulfilling careers and lives.
Tiffany, 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?
My name is Tiffany West-Harvey, and I am a keynote speaker, bestselling author, and entrepreneur with a deep passion for leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal resilience. As the CEO of Tiffany West Associates, LLC, I specialize in consulting on leadership development, diversity, and government acquisition, among other areas. Under the umbrella of Tiffany West Associates, LLC, I lead two unique ventures: Pick Your Sweet Poison, where I empower women to craft elegant cocktails at home, creating memorable moments and fostering communal connections, and Speak With Tiffany, where I share both my professional expertise and personal journey of overcoming adversity, helping others unlock their own potential for growth and success.
What sets Speak With Tiffany apart is our focus on real-world application. We don’t just teach theoretical concepts about leadership and entrepreneurship; we provide children with practical tools to start their entrepreneurial journey today. One key way we do this is through my book, Becoming a Young CEO, which introduces children to the world of online business in a fun, engaging, and easy-to-understand way.
I have had the privilege of sharing my message on global stages, delivering keynote speeches at events like the All Black National Convention, Associated Black Charities’ Equity in Action Conference, and The Making of An Entrepreneur DocuSeries – Season 4, among others. Most recently, I was honored to speak at the prestigious Shawn’s Fair Leadership Experience Tour, which was broadcast live to millions on the Onstage Plus network. In February 2025, I will be hosting my first Small Biz Success Summit, where I will bring together leaders and entrepreneurs to encourage collaboration and inspire growth.
Of everything I’ve accomplished, I am most proud of my six-year-old son, who has started his own YouTube channel, showing kids how to make fun, kid-friendly drinks. He’s learned by watching me but is already eager to build his own brand, which is such an inspiring reminder of why I do what I do—empowering the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs.
For those who may not yet be familiar with Speak With Tiffany, I want you to know that our passion lies in empowering the next generation of leaders. Whether through our Young CEO Academy or by sharing my personal message of resilience and growth, our mission is to provide children with the confidence, tools, and mindset to dream big and succeed. Together, we are shaping the CEOs of tomorrow and building a community of young leaders ready to take on the world.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
In 2014, while living in Hanover, Maryland, I met someone who was charming, sweet, and kind. We went on a few dates, and I soon realized he didn’t have everything I was looking for in a partner, but I made the decision to continue seeing him. Eventually, we got married. During our marriage, we built what seemed like a beautiful life—our wonderful son, a lovely home, great jobs. On the surface, everything seemed perfect; at least, that’s what I thought.
Not long after I became pregnant, I started noticing small changes in his behavior. He began coming home later and later, and our communication and intimacy faded. I tried talking to him, even suggested marriage counseling, but I felt like I wasn’t being heard. I held onto the hope that if we took some time apart, the love we once had would return even stronger. But I was wrong. When I suggested we take a break, his response was to immediately buy another house and ask for a divorce—all of this happened within 10 days.
The rage, confusion, and heartbreak I felt were overwhelming, unlike anything I’d ever experienced. But what shattered me most was overhearing him tell his mother that I was never his Queen. That moment broke a part of me I didn’t know could be broken.
After countless tears and moments of deep pain, I came to a realization: God was ending my marriage to guide me toward the path and purpose He had always intended for me. What I once saw as the end was actually the beginning of a journey that would lead me to my true purpose.
Now, I share my testimony through speaking and writing, hoping to encourage others who are facing their own storms. Not every storm comes to break you—some come to set you on the path you were meant to walk. My story is a reminder that even through heartbreak, there is healing and, ultimately, a purpose waiting to unfold.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
In 2022, after my divorce, I made the decision to sell my house and used the profit to pay off some debts and invest in my businesses. As a single mother, it’s been both exciting and daunting, especially when the financial returns aren’t as immediate as I’d hoped—despite being deeply passionate about everything I do. I’ve since learned that using other people’s money, such as business lines of credit, grants, and business loans, is a smarter way to grow and sustain a business. It’s been a valuable lesson in financial strategy and resilience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.speakwithtiffany.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakwithtiffany
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speakwithtiffany
- Other: https://www.tiffanywestassociates.com/
Image Credits
Photos by Chavon Williams