Meet Tiffany Coles | Servant & Social Solutionist.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tiffany Coles and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiffany, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
To be transparent? I didn’t know I was starting a business per se, so I didn’t think of it in that sense initially. I knew I wanted to make a change in my community and the community-at-large with other young ladies, so I decided to host a brunch at my apartment to see where it would take us. By the time that brunch was over, we had a name, logo ideas, and a working mission to start with that grew, morphed, and changed into Bosses Give Back (BGB).

BGB, to me, combines all of the life and work experiences I’ve had up until this point and allows me to incorporate all of the passions I’ve acquired over time: helping others, giving back, and producing creating and memorable experiences for vulnerable communities.

Please tell us more about your career. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy?
If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

I was born in the small town of Pine Hill, NJ, to my then-married parents. I am the daughter of Camille, granddaughter of Gisele, and great-granddaughter of Myrtle — 3 very strong, outspoken, and praying Black women. I have countless cousins on both sides of my family, and chosen family that understands me better than most. I moved to Philadelphia with my mom just before starting 1st grade, and I believe that each detail of who we are and what we go through informs the person we present to the world and the inherent impact we all are destined to make.

Balance is something that has both changed for and changed me over time. When I started as an artist manager almost ten years ago, I lacked balance and tended to overwork myself. That was an unfortunate habit my ever-changing health helped me break by sitting me down after I had inadvertently done too much. And once I stopped forcing myself to go-go-go and be a slave to ice coffee from Dunkin, I began to realize I hadn’t been honoring my temple as designed. It took time and practice for me to incorporate the concept of balance in my life, and for me, look like more time outdoors and in nature, eating cleaner, taking more time to myself and to breathe; while also finding ways to get more active intentionally. And once I got myself into a routine that felt good, I found myself in spaces I would have never imagined.

I chose to pursue a creative career for a few reasons; the most being I knew with my compromised health, a traditional 9-5 would not have been suitable for me to make actionable change in a way that felt both authentic and good to me. Some days endometriosis, adenomyosis, and/or complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) affect me so badly that I am unable to leave my bed, so I needed an industry where I could make my own hours and not feel confined to a conventional schedule. With my passion for and history in music and entertainment, pursuing a nontraditional career made sense for me; and I am grateful for the challenges life has brought my way because, without them, I wouldn’t have realized my purpose in helping others.

Sure there have been heartache and hard lessons along the way, but undoubtedly, my family, creative and spoonie communities, along with my upbringing, tough experiences, and my village helped make me who I am, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First things first, (thinking post-pandemic) we’d stop to get a Septa Day Pass and hop on the train toward Center City. Once Downtown, we’d walk Market Street and take in the sights of the Fashion District. We would pop into the Reading Terminal for lunch and get whatever our hearts desired from one of the countless vendors who’ve held stands for decades. Then, to conclude day one, I’d take my bestie down to Spruce Street Harbor Park to enjoy the ambiance and evening music often heard by local performers. Throughout the rest of the week, it would be imperative to visit other Philadelphia staples like Boathouse Row and the Rocky Steps, eat a Philly cheesesteak, and hike through one of the many trails in Fairmount Park. Oh, and you can’t forget to try a soft pretzel from the Philly Pretzel Factory (and water ice!).

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
If I had ten thousand tongues, I would use each of them to recognize my mom for the innumerable roles she’s played in my life. Without my mom, I would not be the woman who stands up for what’s right each day and is willing to do whatever I can for the next person. My mother is the strongest, bravest, most genuine, and most intelligent person I know, and I always say that if I can be even half of the woman and mother that she is, I know I will be alright. I dedicate this piece and all of the great work I have done and will do to my mother, Camille. I love you, Mommy!

Website: www.bossesgiveback.org

Instagram: @TiffanyAlana / @BossesGiveBack

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-coles/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tiffany_alana

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiffanycolesPR ; https://www.facebook.com/bossesgiveback

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpwKqM0JI9-3NfeOh83fBjA