Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiff Perkins.
Tiff, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
As I began building my business and seeking guidance and information, I started to notice that most of the events and programs geared toward business we ran by and populated with men and the ones geared toward women in business were mainly led by and populated with white women. Not only was I not personally represented and understood in those settings, but my ideas weren’t either.
I remember going through a whole beginner business program and having my instructor weekly try and prompt me to change my idea. She didn’t understand it and she didn’t see its value. On pitch day, something didn’t sit right with me so last minute, I threw everything I had been working on out the window and decided to pitch my original idea off the cuff. I won second place.
After that, it was solidified to me that creatives needed a more unique space. So, I went to work on the Black Women in Creative Spaces Creators Summit.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I definitely wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road, but I don’t think any business finding its footing is. I’ve been very blessed and fortunate to have so many people believe in what I am doing, which makes it all easier, but it’s hard. The money, of course, has been a struggle at many points. A lot of money goes into putting events together, and I try to keep everything cost-effective so that as many women as possible can access to the event and the resources. In addition to that, building a team was tough. And self-doubt, whew, the self-doubt.
We’d love to hear more about Black Women in Creative Spaces.
We’re headed into our third year (2021) and I couldn’t be more excited by how much it has grown. In the first year the event supported about 30 Black, Female-owned businesses, and in the second year it more than doubled in businesses and attendance. I also was able to provide space for some local Black, female led Non-profit organization to share their mission.
I’m most proud of the number of black women that have been brought together and supported through my events. I pay a lot of attention to diversity and what that means on a micro and macro scale. There is not just one way to be a black women nor to creatively make space for yourself and showing that is very important to me.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me, is about meeting and exceeding the plan. I don’t really believe in a fast track to success so I try to pay close attention to growth. Each move each year has to be a little bigger and better than the last one. If I outdid myself, I was successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tiffperkins.com/bwics
- Email: info@bwicsnash.com
- Instagram: blackwomenin_
- Facebook: facebook.com/perkinstiff
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