Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanya Ware.
Hi Tanya, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Becoming an advocate for survivorship and breast cancer began the day I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in November 2020. The will to live was my goal for sure. Through my journey of healing and restoration, ultimately I began to rediscover who Tanya was created to be. Living was no longer about me, but about helping others.
After completing my treatment plan in August 2021, I knew my testimony needed to be shared with others. I started by writing an anthology and from there God gave me the vision to create a brand that expresses me so powerfully.
The rest as they say is history, I began to receive invitations to participate in events as a vendor, I sell merchandise and my books, I’ve been featured in numerous magazines, I’m proud to say I’m a Motivational speaker, I was the Atlanta Falcons 2021 Honorary Captain in the month of October for breast cancer awareness. I’ve inspired other breast cancer survivors. Every day my goal is to give back to God what he gave me. It’s all for his Glory.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s not easy starting from a blank canvas and getting the support from family and friends. That was the most difficult part for me initially. Starting on my journey as a brand, visionary author, and entrepreneur became easier to do because I was obedient and I was very strong in my faith. I know where my help comes from, so I prayed a lot day and night asking God for direction.
In the middle of the night, I would wake up for several weeks receiving visions from the Holy Spirit of what my brand looked like, people were being put on my path to collaborate with, and women were looking to me for inspiration, and encouragement because they too were going through breast cancer treatments. So much started to happen to me and honestly, I call it a “download dump”.
I would be writing down instructions, visions, and thoughts; so much positivity and inspirational feelings would overcome me daily that I just had to share with others. So, the road was a bit bumpy, but God has made it all possible. Life is full of obstacles and struggles. It’s all about how you go tackle them that makes it a smoother road to travel.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an entrepreneur, a brand, the visionary author of an Amazon #1 Best Seller in 3 categories within twenty-four hours, a Content and Digital Creator, a Motivational Speaker, and an Advocate of both Survivorship and Breast Cancer. My first book is “Survivorship: Rediscovering Yourself Through Survivorship”. Co-Author of “Rebirth Of A Woman-Unapologetically Living Your Truth”.
I’m known for inspiring others daily with words of encouragement. I exude what being grateful for life looks like. I specialize in praying no matter what you’re dealing with; the good and the bad. I’m known for my brand which is a beautiful butterfly. She represents survivorship- whether it be divorce, cancer, trauma, single parenting, mental health or just being a champion through it all.
I’m known for my hat-ti-tude. Going to cancer treatments and radiation as you can imagine was an uphill battle, so I would dress up. I never looked like what I was going through and that was important because I wanted to inspire other women letting them know, that this battle is not yours, but it’s the Lord’s.
I’m most proud of what I have accomplished over the last three years. I remember the first time I was asked to participate in an event and talk about my journey and my first book. I was nervous, but I reflected on what I learned from participating in Toastmasters many years ago. It was like riding a bike all over again. I’m most proud of where I am today- one of the proud partners of VoyageATL just to name a few of what I like to call “God rewards for being obedient”.
What sets me apart from others is that I am a “Beautiful Survivor (my brand) of breast cancer. My platform is that survivorship is not about how you look aesthetically, but the beauty in the ashes from whence you came from. It’s the beauty in your testimony and the beauty in sharing it with others to inspire.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk-taking.
If you could hear me laughing… LOL. A moment I often reflect on and share with others so proudly is the day my sons and I attended the Atlanta Falcons game adorning my brand on T-shirts we wore to the game. I felt like it was a bold move and a risk for sure because number one, I didn’t know if wearing my brand was acceptable to wear to the game and inside the Atlanta Mercedes Benz stadium, number 2, I didn’t know if the Atlanta Falcons staff ambassadors would tell me I couldn’t wear my t-shirt with my brand on it to the field.
You see, it was October 2021, the celebration of women survivors of breast cancer. I was nominated for an opportunity to share a day of pampering with other women hosted by the Atlanta Falcons. Those that know me, know I am a HUGE fan of the team and have been for many years.
I received a call one evening letting me know I didn’t win the opportunity to be pampered, but instead, I would be given the opportunity to be the Honorary Captain at the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons game in October 2021. I was ecstatic. I called my graphic designer and asked her to put my brand on t-shirts for my sons and me.
Their t-shirts were pink and printed on the front it said “My Mom is a “Beautiful Survivor” of breast cancer along with my butterfly brand. My t-shirt was white and printed on the front it said, “I am a Beautiful Survivor of Breast Cancer”. We wore those t-shirts proudly that day. People were looking at us and congratulated me as a survivor. We met with my ambassadors and they loved the t-shirts!
Told me I could leave it on the entire game and even on the field when it was time to go out and shake hands with the opposing team and referees. Oh my! My brand was on national TV as well as the jumbotron above in the stadium where everyone could see me. That was a risk I’m grateful for. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my lifetime. To this day, people still talk about it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @abeautifulsurvivor
- Facebook: @Tanya Ware
