Today we’d like to introduce you to Patience Phillips.
Hi Patience, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I moved to Dallas from Memphis to teach math. Dallas offered a better salary and opportunity for growth so I moved with me, my 2 daughters, and a little bit of faith. It was my first time ever living outside of Memphis’ city limits. My first year was tough. I wrecked my car (no ins) and quit my full-time job at United Healthcare to pursue teaching (started as a substitute). As soon as I was on track, I had a high school senior headed to college so the pressure was on! My magic bullet was that I never slowed down to make time for worry. I knew as a single mom I simply had to get it done. I also knew that I needed some sort of passive income to supplement my salary and afford to live. I started Psquaredco and DBA’d as much as I could handle. So here we are with a thriving online store, trucking authority and a deep desire to help others find their way:-)
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road at all but hard work and dedication will always get you there. Starting a business costs money which, I did not have so I had to figure it out. It was beyond selling a dress or 2pc set on Instagram. I needed my business to be legit. I needed my business to get funded. I needed my business to last beyond a season. I needed my business to grow! There were tons of sleepless late nights and early mornings. Lots of phone calls to the state and other entities concerned with legitimizing Psquaredco/Tippleswithstyle. I couldn’t afford to hire help so I had to learn on my own. I also had to do this while adulting, working, and parenting. Not to mention I have an elderly father and I’m an only child. I can’t count how many times I cried, screamed, got frustrated but stopping was never an option for me. I had a goal and a lot of people depending on me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Math Teacher to the core of me. Anyone that knows me knows how much I love being in the classroom. I’ve also been lucky enough to be paid as a mentor teacher for upcoming educators & turn down employment opportunities outside of the classroom. That’s where I’m needed and where I belong. Just this year the students at my middle school voted me as the funniest teacher as well as student choice. My style is very unorthodox in comparison but I believe in meeting my kiddos where they are so sometimes, I have to bring it down a notch. It’s important for me to build those relationships and give me students a safe place. They trust me and I love them for it.
Unlike some {older} teachers I believe in change. We can’t approach education in the same way that we used to. These are NOT the same kids! One thing that has remained the same is that kids want structure and they want to learn. Sometimes we have to put that “want” in them but they will rise to the expectation if we raise the expectation.
Now in Ms. Phillips’ class, that structure looks a little different lol. We’re loud, we are out of our seats, we’re all up in our teacher’s business but we’re learning!
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Knowing that what I do makes a difference in the world. What I do matters. I knew in college that I wanted a service job. I wanted to contribute something in this world that’s beyond me and mine. It can’t always be about self, although there’s a place for that as well, but what can I do to help another human. I thought what better way than to catch them while they’re young and still able to absorb something good. I believe now it’s time to make space for incoming educators while I move to the next phase of this life by teaching others how to afforded to live. I can’t stress the importance of multiple streams of income especially right now.
I’m a lover of all things fashionably confident [I made that up]. It was only fitting to start an online store. All of those years of teaching, learning people, building relationships, and contributing to the world were to prepare me for what was always mine. I believed it that I’ve always been a business owner, I just had to get aligned with what was mine. I will continue to serve others, this time in a different area because that’s what truly makes me happy.
Pricing:
- Online store-free shipping on qualifying orders
- Start that boutique – free consultation
- Mentorship-monthly as low as $75
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tippleswithstyle.com
- Instagram: pjsofash_
