From Classroom to Stage: The Inspiring Journey of Tina Fears

On this episode of The 116 Life, Reach Records Senior VP of A & R, Ace Harris, has an inspiring conversation with the multi-talented Tina Fierce. Tina is a businesswoman, actress, singer, and a creative powerhouse who has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry.

Meeting Tina Fierce: A Creative at Heart

Ace first met Tina at a talent show at Georgia State University. Her stage presence and energy were captivating, and we soon began collaborating on various projects, including writing and producing music. One of our collaborations, a song called “Walking on Water,” ended up being featured on Lecrae’s Grammy-nominated album, Rehab.

Tina is a California girl with a love for sweet tea and has spent a significant amount of time in Atlanta. She describes herself as a multi-hyphenate, a creative at heart, and a legacy builder. Her passion for music and entertainment was ignited by her parents, who pursued their dreams in LA but faced challenges in the industry.

The Journey to the Arts: Overcoming Challenges

Tina initially planned to become a teacher, but her path led her back to the arts. She wanted to attend Howard University for their performing arts program but ended up finishing high school at Lithonia and then attending Clark Atlanta University. However, she didn’t pursue music or arts while at Clark.

During her time at university, Tina faced various challenges, including a knee injury and financial difficulties. It was during this time that she turned to God and realized she needed to use her talents and skills to create a business.

Stage Ready: A Leap of Faith

With just $100, Tina started an entertainment hub called Stage Ready, where she provided artist development, choreography, casting, and more. She used platforms like Craigslist and Myspace for free advertisement and pitched herself to artists like Dietrich and Usher’s foundation. Her hard work and quality of work led to client retention and the growth of her business.

Advocacy and Community: A Voice for the Underrepresented

Tina’s journey in the entertainment industry evolved into a sense of community and support for minorities in the industry. She started by advocating for accurate casting and fair pay in the workplace. Tina also discusses her desire to help talented individuals who may not have the same opportunities and connections.

Embracing Fear and Pursuing Passions

Tina and Ace discuss the importance of not being afraid to fail and taking risks. We emphasized the need to have a secure identity and not let others define what failure looks like. Tina shared that her relationship with God sustains her through the ups and downs of the industry. She trusts that God is strategically guiding her life and leans on her faith in all aspects of her career.

Balancing Multiple Passions: The Challenges of Being a Multi-Hyphenate

Being a multi-hyphenate comes with its own set of challenges. Finding balance in pursuing multiple passions can be tricky. Tina advises aspiring creatives to play to their strengths and find connections between their different talents.

Navigating Faith, Business, and Ethics

Tina shared her journey of navigating faith, business, and ethics. She talked about the pressure to stay within a certain box in the Christian space but finding a way to be a light in other industries. Despite facing financial challenges as an entrepreneur, she remains grounded and consistent in her foundation.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Projects and Determination

Tina is determined to succeed in her creative endeavors. She has several upcoming projects and encourages listeners to trust that God has a plan for them and to keep pushing forward, even in difficult times. She emphasizes the importance of connecting with others and being open about your desires and aspirations.

Tina’s story serves as an inspiration for creatives and reminds them to stay resilient and open to opportunities. You can find Tina Fears on all social media platforms under the handle @tinafears and visit her website tinafears.com to learn more about her work.

Thank you for tuning in. Please leave a comment and let us know your thoughts on the episode. Remember to catch all new episodes of The 116 Life, Tuesdays at 8 pm est. on Holy Culture Radio, Sirius XM, Channel 154!

TIMECODE REFERENCES:

Tina’s background and upbringing [00:07:09] Tina discusses her parents’ pursuit of their dreams in LA and their influence on her.

Tina’s decision to pursue a career in teaching [00:08:54] Tina explains her initial plan to become a teacher due to the discouragement her father faced as an artist.

The moment Tina decided to pursue a career in entertainment and music [00:09:39] Tina shares how her plans changed when she ran out of money in college and realized God had something greater in store for her.

Tina’s decision to pursue a career in teaching [00:11:13] Tina discusses her financial struggles in college and her decision to pursue a career in teaching.

Tina’s moment of realization to pursue a career in entertainment and music [00:12:56] Tina discusses the moment she decided to pursue a career in entertainment and music and how she started her own entertainment hub called Stage Ready.

Tina’s journey in building her business and working with major artists [00:13:40] Tina talks about her early days in building her business, finding clients through Craigslist and MySpace, and pitching herself to artists like Dietrich and Usher.

Tina Fears’ upbringing and parents’ pursuit of dreams [00:20:34] Discussion about Fears background, her parents’ pursuit of their dreams in LA, and the importance of community.

Tina Fears’ decision to pursue a career in teaching [00:22:14] Tina Fears talks about her decision to pursue a career in teaching and her financial struggles in college.

Tina Fears’ moment of deciding to pursue a career in entertainment [00:23:54] Tina Fears discusses the moment she decided to pursue a career in entertainment and music, her desire for more, and her determination to prove herself.

Tina Fears’ background and upbringing [00:30:32] Tina Fears discusses her background, upbringing, and the pursuit of her parents’ dreams in LA.

Tina Fears’ decision to pursue a career in teaching [00:32:12] Tina Fears talks about her decision to pursue a career in teaching and how it played a role in her financial struggles in college.

Tina Fears’ moment of deciding to pursue a career in entertainment and music [00:33:13] Tina Fears shares the moment she decided to pursue a career in entertainment and music, despite facing ups and downs in the industry.

Tina Fears’ upbringing and background [00:40:54] Tina Fears discusses her background and upbringing, including her parents’ pursuit of their dreams in LA.

Tina Fears’ financial struggles in college [00:41:53] Tina Fears talks about her financial struggles in college and the challenges of entrepreneurship.

Tina Fears’ decision to pursue a career in entertainment and music [00:43:29] Tina Fears discusses the moment she decided to pursue a career in entertainment and music, and her current creative endeavors.

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