Tiarra Shaw shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Tiarra, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Who are you learning from right now?
Interestingly, I find myself becoming both the teacher and the student of my own journey. This year, I endured a profound with my mother’s passing from ovarian cancer. Grief has proven to be an uncharted terrain, one with no manual to consult, no precise language to capture its enormity. It manifests uniquely through every individual lens, and I am slowly learning how to coexist with its presence. I am allowing myself to sit in the ache, to honor the sorrow, and in doing so, to cultivate the strength to navigate it with as much grace as possible.
Where once I armored myself with walls, retreating into solitude to shield the pain, I now choose exposure over concealment. I am granting myself the radical permission to be vulnerable, to be seen in all of my fragility and resilience. The weight of loss is undeniably heavy, but in shouldering it, I discover new muscles of endurance. I am uncovering uncharted dimensions of myself and transforming wounds into wisdom and pain into a kind of quiet power.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am far more layered than a tidy little paragraph could ever capture. At my core, I’m a thinker, an unapologetic analyzer who dissects details with the precision of a jeweler inspecting diamonds. I’m also an innovator, allergic to the status quo, forever concocting fresh approaches and clever solutions. Creativity is my playground. I adore the alchemy of transforming raw sparks of imagination into tangible beauty.
But I don’t just create, I motivate. I cheer loudly for others, reveling in their victories as if they were my own. And yes, I’m an optimist, shamelessly hunting for silver linings even in storm clouds. These traits aren’t just quirks; they’re the scaffolding of my entrepreneurial world: from curating the warm glow of Comfort n’ Light candles, to designing chic wreaths and home décor, to matchmaking dream homes as a dedicated realtor.
And then, of course, there’s my starry side, shining on sets in television and film, even dabbling in the architecture of new series. At the heart of it all, though, I’m just a small-town girl with audacious metropolitan dreams, with equal parts daring, dazzling, and determined to leave a sparkle in every space I step into.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
For many, the guiding light is a parent, and for me, it was unequivocally my mother. She was my muse, and I, in turn, was hers. We shared a rhythm that transcended words, an unspoken harmony that resonated deep within the soul. She marveled at my intricacies yet possessed an effortless gift for deciphering me in the simplest, most loving ways. She admired my audacity and tenacity, but tempered it with grace and gentle wisdom. She listened intently, even when silence was my only language. She understood me, not as an obligation, but as a privilege, an eager witness to my becoming. She celebrated my boundary-breaking spirit while carefully anchoring me, ensuring I never became an obstacle to myself. It was a dance of love and understanding, and she mastered the steps solely for my good.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
“I would whisper to my younger self: Be patient with the unfolding of your story. Do not squander your spirit trying to contort into someone else’s mold, for your singularity is your crown. Trust that tribulations are not punishments, but sculptors, chiseling resilience into your bones and wisdom into your soul. Guard your heart, but do not fortify it so high that love cannot climb its walls. Savor the interludes of joy, however fleeting, for they are the lanterns that will guide you through corridors of sorrow. And remember, every stumble is but choreography in the grand dance of becoming.”
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes and no. I’m authentic in the way I inhabit my own skin, yet judicious with disclosure, knowing precisely what to unveil, when, and in what dosage. Think of me as that decadent dessert whose worth is justified by every exquisite bite, yet far too indulgent to be devoured in one sitting. I’m meant to be savored, a slow-burning symphony of flavors, delightful, intoxicating, and a touch overwhelming if overindulged. Like a vintage Bordeaux, I unfold gradually, each sip revealing nuance, depth, and character. I’m the refreshing breeze that surprises on a sweltering day, offering relief yet leaving you yearning for more. Yes, I am an open book, but hardly the sort you skim through for CliffNotes. I’m the epic you immerse yourself in, cover to cover, knowing each chapter will surpass expectation. I am the panoramic vista on a long-awaited voyage, captivating from afar, but only fully understood when experienced with patience and presence. I’m not a Saturday fling; I’m a season, a story, a sojourn.”
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
At home with my family, that’s my sanctuary, my symphony of serenity. My peace originates from within, yet my environment cradles and amplifies it. The people in my orbit safeguard it, just as I fiercely safeguard theirs. I am profoundly blessed, even in a year painted with shadows. Truthfully, there’s no greater delight than luxuriating in a pristine home, a refrigerator brimming with abundance, and a captivating film on the screen. Once upon a time, stillness felt impossible, like I was perpetually chasing some elusive treasure “out there,” when in reality, it was nestled inside me all along. Now, I revel in my own company. Within my walls, I witness the fruits of my labor and the empire I hustle for daily. It’s my constant reminder to rejoice, to bask in the triumph of the present. Indeed, there is unequivocally no place like home, and for me, that sentiment rings with luminous truth!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.homesbytiarra.realtor / comfortnlight@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiarshaw/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiarra.shaw.796
Image Credits
Casteways
London & Bridges
Catch
Strange Fruit
Rodney Perry Presents The Late Night Social
On Set
