Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Mayberry.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up, I was always the girl that loved to play dress up. I played dress up in my moms closet, and I played dress up in my own closet. I would spend nights putting together outfits, and acting out how I would wear them. I was a dramatic child, lol. People would always tell me (still do), that they loved the way that I dressed, and I always kept that in the back of my mind. Just a little background about me. I’m 25. I was born and raised in Austin, TX. I’m a Christian. When I graduated high school, I moved to Denton to attend college at the University of North Texas. I obtained a dual degree in Merchandising and Digital Retailing. While in college, I was a part of the Merchandising Inc. organization, which allowed me to have my first “styling” opportunity. I styled for our annual fashion show, and let’s just say I wasn’t the best stylist ever… at the time.
Because I wanted to perfect my craft, I would style my friends for free, go shopping with them to pick out outfits or just give them my opinion on certain fashion topics. A year after graduating college, I became the Fashion Show Director for a faith-based non-profit Born2BFree, which serves the Denton community. I style all of the models for our fashion show with the help of stores, and designers. With all of that experience, I knew that I wanted to start something of my own. So, this past February, I started blessingandaddresses, which was just a way for me to showcase my gift of styling, and to hopefully get more styling opportunities outside of my little bubble. When I was thinking of a name, I knew I wanted something that represented me. I’m a Jesus lover to my core, but I also love fashion. So, I decided to put both of my passions together. Not only do I show my styling, outfit of the day pictures, but I also provide faith-based encouragement. I don’t just want to be the cute girl that dresses nice. I want to be the woman that loves Jesus, serves people, and looks good while doing it.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Life is a journey. So, no, it has not been a smooth road. Like I stated previously, I really just started to put myself out there as a stylist. I have applied for corporate jobs to be a full-time stylist, but that just hasn’t happened to me. Even with all of the experience that I have. That’s why I decided to make my own opportunity. I think the main struggle is financial. When people know you they don’t want to pay you, they think that you should be willing to do something for free. I get it, I don’t have a big name for myself, I don’t have a lot of “followers,” but I have a gift. A gift that I don’t take lightly. I know at first you have to be willing to take some pro bono opportunities. I have no problem with that, you have to make a name for yourself, but at some point, people have to respect your craft. Hopefully, I don’t sound rude, but I’m a stern woman. I say it how I mean it lol. The other struggle is the unknown. Trying to be patient, and move in God’s timing.
blessingsanddresses – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Blessingsanddresses is all things faith, beauty, and fashion. I wanted to create styling opportunities for myself. I consider myself a freelance stylist, but I happen to love Jesus as well. The fashion community can be shallow, or all about what is on the outside. That’s not me, and that’s not what I’m about. I knew that if I was going to start something it needed it to represent Jesus as well. I provide a service. I’m about serving people, my service just happens to be geared towards fashion. Anyone that I am able to style, I just pray that they get to experience love. That they walk away feeling beautiful, confident, and hopefully if they don’t know God they see Him in me. At the end of the day, I’m about serving God and his people. We can’t be out here looking like what we’ve been through. You look good, you feel good. That’s what blessingsanddresses is all about.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is about doing something that you love. Doing something that has a purpose and meaning behind it. I never wanted to be the person to go to college for something that I didn’t love. I didn’t want to be the person to choose a career based on how much money I would make. That’s why I chose to go to school for Merchandising. I was questioned about it, I was told that I was “too smart” for that kind of degree, but I knew that it was my passion. I knew that I wanted to learn more about the business side of fashion/retail. I knew that it was something that would make me happy. As a Fashion Show Director, I do not make any money, because the organization is a nonprofit, but guess what I put in a lot of work, time, and effort. Because I love it. I pray though that one-day, blessingsanddresses can become a full-time job for me. I would love to style people for a living and be able to live comfortably. That’s the goal. One day, when I get married and start having kids, I want to be old-fashion and be home with my children. I want my career to revolve around my life, not the other way around. I want to show my children that you can do what you love, be happy, and make a living for yourself. That sounds like an amazing success story for me. Even if I don’t get that particular success story (let’s all be in prayer though, lol), I hope that I am able to just make people feel good about themselves and feel good about loving God.
Contact Info:
- Email: blessingsanddresses@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blessingsanddresses
Image Credit:
Born2BFree, CareerMomLife Blog, Deavonte’ Hicks
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