Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiana Sanders
Hi Tiana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2011, I obtained a degree from the University of TN – Chattanooga in Business Administration, I decided to go back to school and obtain a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Argosy University. After I obtained the second degree, I was able to work my way up and worked in multiple functions of Human Resources, but I was unfulfilled and knew that I wanted to be in a role that allowed for constant development, learning, and creativity. In January 2020, I decided to go back to school to obtain a master’s in Instructional Design and Technology from Trevecca University. In 2021, I graduated with a master’s degree in Instructional Design and Technology and I was blessed to be able to land an internship which has now turned into a thriving career as an Instructional Designer.
During 2020, I started developing a love for thrifted fashion, accessories, and color coordination. I started purchasing prescription glasses in primary colors that I could coordinate with my outfits and I would go to places like City Thrift, Goodwill, and Plato’s Closet to purchase clothes. I love the thrill of finding an item and styling it in a way that people don’t realize that I actually got my clothing from a thrift store or consignment shop. My coworkers Bridget Sobecki and Grace Padgett suggested that I make a social media channel showcasing my finds, looks, and how I style my clothes and in April 2024, I did just that. I have taken what I have learned in Instructional Designer to showcase my love for thrifted fashion and I am loving every minute of it! My primary goal is for others to feel inspired to be their best self for themselves in whatever that looks like to them and so my tagline is “Find your style, in your own way!”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course my story of triumph, cannot come without a bumpy road. In the fall of 2019, I went through a break-up after a 3-year relationship, I got fired from my job, I applied to obtain my Professional Human Resources Certification and ended up failing the test. After these events occurred, I surely thought that 2020 would offer me some space of grace. As we move into May 2020 I went to the local hospital I found out I was 5 months pregnant and had no idea, I had no symptoms or morning sickness whatsoever. I suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and having abnormal or no menstrual cycles aren’t uncommon. I also found out I had high blood pressure and I had to be transferred to a different hospital to be monitored for the sake of the baby. I spent 12 days in the hospital with no visitors other than my new boyfriend who is now my husband, shoutout to Kevin Sanders, during that time I lost the baby and to this day we don’t know what happened, his little heart just stopped beating. A day shy of getting out of the hospital I found out that my dad had stage 4 cancer. Fast forward to July 2020, my dad passed away and you can just imagine the amount of grief and devastation that I felt, as I was not only grieving the loss of my baby but now my dad. All of this is happening while I am trying to complete my master’s degree. Yet even after 2020, I still have experienced struggles that try to break me and my character. As I experience life circumstances I am always determined to never give up, God truly has a way of building you back up when you feel like you have been broken into pieces and cannot be restored. You cannot have a story of triumph without failures, stumbling blocks, and obstacles trying to get you off the course of your end goal.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an Instructional Designer specializing in the design, development, and implementation of learning materials in multiple facets from animation, video, etc. I currently work in the restaurant industry supporting two sister brands. The restaurant industry is not an easy field to work in and doesn’t come without wins and losses.
I am most proud of my determination to continue the course and being apart of the fight even when the world looks unfavorable.
I am also a part-time content creator specializing in showcasing my love for thrifted fashion, accessories, and color coordination. Although I am not well-known yet, I am most proud of having the guts and confidence to present myself to world on a weekly basis.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is family road trips to Kansas in which my dad would sing “Contagious” by the Isley Brothers loudly and get on my mom’s nerves and my sister and I would just be cracking up in the back seat. My dad literally did this every single road trip and each time he got on my mom’s nerves.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicspecsnstyle
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TianaJordan13
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@chicspecsnstyle
