Meet Tina Mazzara | Owner, Artist and Creatrix

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

Hi Tina, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My father was an entrepreneur, so I watched as he followed his passions throughout my life. Early on, I followed in his footsteps but after a nasty divorce, I entered the corporate world. For years, I made money for other people denying the inner prompting I felt encouraging me to take a leap of faith. It’s scary to take that first action step; to step off the mountaintop and trust that your passions will lead the way. I have learned over the years to trust the unknown as each step I took led to clarity. When I followed my bliss, everything opened up. The right people, ideas, and opportunities fell in alignment with perfect timing. Now, when I begin to feel stale or stagnant, I know it’s time to make adjustments to clear the way for new ideas that will uplevel my business in some way.

I have been many “titles” in my life. I have many interests, passions, and ideas, so multi-revenue opportunities appeal to me, allowing all of my ideas room to grow and manifest in joyful ways. That is what the famous mythologist and author, Joseph Campbell meant when he coined the phrase “follow your bliss “. He advised that you examine your life and trust you will be led in the right direction by following your feelings of completeness (joy, bliss, ease). When you pursue these feelings wholeheartedly and courageously, you embrace the unfolding of your unique expression of bliss. For me, it began as a hobby that led to a shop and developed into spiritual sharing through workshops and retreats.

Work-life balance, how has your balance changed over time how do you think about the balance?

I used to live to work. I was filled with anxiety and stress, pushing hard to fulfill others’ desires and expectations while completely disregarding the toll it took on my health and quality of life. After decades of type A, workaholic mindset, and conditioning, I knew it was imperative that I implement work/life balance. The importance of creating this change for myself was greatly emphasized after I lost both my husband and father to terminal illnesses within a year of each other. My whole world changed and all that I once believed was important, no longer held meaning. For the first time in my life, I started asking some really tough questions. Who was I exactly? Who was ‘the me’ that was buried under all the years of being who everyone else needed me to be? Who did I want to become? What did I want to do with the rest of my life? Literally, hundreds of questions surfaced as I began the road to uncovering my lost self. So in a very important way, my husband and father’s death drove me to find purpose and balance. I consider it the greatest gift they could have left for me.

I began by choosing to live a simpler lifestyle while the business manifested and transformed. I scheduled time to work, as well as time to play. I made sure I allowed room for my ideas to grow, and for my mind and body to rest and renew.

Today, I recognize that doing “work“ that brings me joy never seems like work. I am keenly aware when balance is needed when what once brought me joy begins to create a sense of anxiety or dread. I trust my energy and my outlook to be the indicators that send up the red flags warnings that I am out of work/life balance and I simply adjust by scheduling rest and/or play.

So, how does one find work-life balance? I believe “following your bliss” is key; honing in on what that means for you and allowing that belief room to root and flourish. When you love what you do, it doesn’t seem like work so turning that passion or skill into a business is very rewarding. Even still, scheduling time to rest, renew and play re-energizes creativity and assures success for perfect work/life balance and overall joy.

Risk-taking what role has risk played in your life?

I used to be absolutely terrified of change. I have stayed in terrible, life-sucking careers way longer than I should have because I was afraid of change. I thought the safety and security of the known was better than the possibilities of the unknown. Thankfully, I have learned that if you want a different life experience, you have to change things up. Once you embrace change and face the prospect of failure squarely in the face, life is full of possibilities.

It’s that limiting belief in oneself that will keep you in the stagnant waters of life. I have re-created myself so many times now, that taking a risk is like breathing fresh air. I compare it to the feeling of being in the flow of a river’s current after sitting in stagnant waters. It’s scary at first, but the ride is always worth it! I’ve had a lot of ideas that fell flat or “failed”, but those ideas always lead to better ideas, more successful ideas. I love the adventure of living life on my terms.

Why did you pursue an artistic creative career?

My creative side is who I am. I finally realized that the creative part of myself needed to take a prominent role in order for me to live my happiest life.

When you live authentically to who you are, work does not seem like work. Success follows because you are living in alignment with who you were created to be; contributing in your unique way.

I think back to all the career choices I made and understand now why I experienced so much stress. It felt like I was always striving, always swimming upstream, there was never enough time and I was always exhausted! Sure, I was using other parts of my skill set to succeed but the artistic side of myself always took the backseat. Like buried treasure.

I understand now that when you choose a career that is in alignment with your truest self, you are following your bliss and in doing that, even long days are rewarding. Work becomes play because you are expressing from a place of personal passion.

You know you are living in alignment, when others support what you have birthed into existence with appreciation and gratitude, confirming that you are on the right track for personal joy.

I have learned that I must strive to live IN joy to ENJOY life, allowing my creative side to lead the way. My greatest wish is that others will understand and implement this in their own lives early on.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I make nature-inspired creations and ceremonial tools. You see, after the loss of my husband in 2014 and my beloved father a year later, I experienced a life-changing spiritual awakening. I left the corporate world and began a healing journey that lead me on a path of spiritual transformation and learning. I sought pleasure in Mother Nature, feeling comforted and inspired as I walked through my grief. My creative pursuits became the healing salve and the impetus for Love and Light Gifts.

Mr. Chappell, my rescue cat, became the inspiration and head product tester for our line of organic cat toys that are designed to bring out your cat’s natural hunter instincts. He is my constant companion in the studio. I noticed that he loved playing with the feathers, furs, and leather in my storage bins. Finally one day, the light bulb went off and I thought if he loved these items so much, why not make toys for other cats and offer them in the shop. They are a big hit and we are so grateful.

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.
Well, first of all, we would catch up over a delicious cup of Buddy Brew coffee, crafted in a local brewery in Tampa. I buy in bulk to be sure to never run out! We’d schedule our annual friendship photo session with the award-winning, local photographer, Jenn Carroll Photography. Afterward, we would head out to do a little shopping at Alchemy and Ashes. They have an ever-changing array of antique and vintage home décor as well as an impressive supply of metaphysical items and a variety of gemstones and crystals, incense, and more.

The next day we would enjoy a day of self-care at Practical Magic Studios where Neely Snyder and Victoria Holder will transform our hair into magical manes of awesomeness. We’ll also enjoy facials and massages and end by shopping their unique boutique of clothing, offerings, and trinkets.

We’d end the day at The Tiki Cove, a cute tropical destination by the lake to enjoy cold beverages, fresh food with an island twist, and live music.

Once tucked nicely in bed for the evening, we’d drift off to sleep with For Dreamscapes Night by DW Productions, a site that provides sounds of relaxation to lull you into a deeper sleep. My favorite!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh my goodness! There have been so many amazing people who have come along to support, encourage and love me. My grown children, David and Jennifer have always been my greatest cheerleaders and wise counselors. My “Sassy Sisters” have walked with me through my darkest nights, loving me unconditionally as I transformed my life.

Christina Rasmussen’s book Second Firsts and her Re-entry Workshop showed me how to navigate through the despair of grief to a new way of being in the world.

I met Shawnee Moore Kircher, the owner of Alchemy and Ashes a unique shop in Land O Lakes, FL proclaimed as ‘the local purveyor of the mystical and the mundane.’ She was instrumental in the making of Love and Light Gifts. Shawnee appreciated the beauty of my earthy creations and supported me by showcasing them in her awesome shop and encouraging me to go out on my own.

Website: https://loveandlightgifts.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovelightgifts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TinaMazzaraLoveandLightGifts/

Image Credits
Jenn Carroll Photography