Conversations with the Inspiring Tiffany Vakilian

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Vakilian.

Tiffany, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started to choose my career path when I was a Virtual Assistant for Grit PR in 2009. At the time, I had a corporate job that just didn’t seem to fit who I was, artistically . Instead of just going along, feeling silent and sad, I found freedom in freelance assignments (DUH!). I loved it. I wasn’t all easy work, but it gave me peace. Years passed, and I moved cross-country. I even received my Master’s Degree. But I continued my side hustle. When health issues tried to claim my full-time attention, it was my clients-turned-friends who gave me something to do when on bedrest or in the hospital. They pushed me toward my writing, as well as new assignments for them.

My first book of poetry, Ugly Drawers, Pretty Panties was published by A Word With You Press when it was still based in Oceanside, CA. I started working for David Woghan of Author Imprints, too. Serving on the Board of the San Diego Book Awards was another big part of that work-turned-outlet. And now, the Kingdom Writers Association gives me a great scribe-tribe to run with. My husband appreciates my passion for outside-the-box-career moves, and now, we have a one-year-old. I get to stay home and work, while I watch her face change, her intelligence increase, her milestones, all of it. I don’t feel guilty about not going back to work, and I don’t feel guilty about staying home to parent! Performing locally, writing, working with my amazing clients–I’m grateful for all of it.

Has it been a smooth road?
Sometimes there is poetry in my soul, crying to get out, but I’m on a deadline for a client. I maintain my joy as much as possible. I have to remember my sacred voice and protect it. But I also  have to focus and do the work. Even if that work is not where I want my mind to be.Speaking of focus, did I mention I have a one-year-old? She is the joy of my life, and the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on (totally unbiased opinion). It is sometimes difficult, living outside the box, but I have her to remind me. I would give her the same advice I’d give to any woman.

Walk out your royalty, which is so much bigger a concept than a simple platitude can express. Also, have your own opinion, and be able to defend it respectfully. Be wrong sometimes. Learn from it. “Do the work” and “Work your ‘work” (your network) with all you’ve got. And be THANKFUL.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am an author, an editor, and a performer. Most of my work focuses on helping independent publishers get their book edited, formatted, and ready to print and sell. But I am also a consultant for publishers. I’m happy when the proof is in the hands of an author for the first time–when they are holding the reality of a roll-your-eyes pipedream. I’m proud of the ten-year-old girl inspired to write book number two because someone believed in her first book enough to publish it. I’m proud of how the telling of stories changes the world. For example, I assisted in the promotion of “Raw Man” by Fred Rivera. Edward James Olmos did the voiceover for the book trailer (which is its own hilarious tale), so the promotion was quite successful. Now that book is required reading at the University of Idaho. But the best part is, because Fred wrote that book, the publishing and marketing uncovered an honest-to-goodness dead-not-dead situation. And now, he is working on his next book, telling the story following publication. Just being a small part of that story changed my life in so many ways, and my name is in that book. I am honored, and it makes me want to work harder for my peeps!

Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
I come from a long line of strong women. My mother, my aunties, my cousins…they came into the world with no fear and did the miraculous. My mother raised four children on her own, across the country from her family support, and we all went to college. She had at least two jobs most of my young life. It was her reading to us at bedtime that made me love reading. But, of course, I have many other sheroes: Maya Angelou, Phyllis Wheatley, Alfre Woodard, Viola Davis, Amanirenas–so many women have spoken to my story. There are really a lot of people I glean wisdom from. Even imaginary characters have input, like Celie, Sula, Kate Daniels, Starr Carter, Ruth Jefferson, and too many others to list. And my daughter teaches me on levels too deep to mention. I am quite blessed.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tiffanyvakilian.com
• Phone: 619-292-8772
• Email: Tiffany@tiffanyvakilian.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tivas_imgs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TiffanyVakilian/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/tiffanybe1

Image Credit:
Tiffany Vakilian

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