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

Hi Tahira, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I came up with the idea for my business because I have always felt like the Black Sheep in my family, friendships, relationships and even marriage at one point. I have the greatest personality known to man and alot of people can vouch for that but I still felt alone and unheard at times. It was times where I wanted to speak out and stand up for myself and that was limited, so I kept those emotions inside, which was unhealthy.

I wanted to create something that I know I would love if it was created for me. It’s alot of Black Sheeps in this world that go through the exact same thing as I do, with nobody to talk to in this huge world, who constantly feel shut out and I wanted to create a platform just for them while also encouraging them to use that beautiful voice to speak their magical truth that they have inside of them from all the trauma that they been through.

I always did motivational posting as just something on my own that I love to do and share my love every now and then to the world and friends but I saw that I was called to do this more permanently because of the severity of mental illnesses and low mental health going on in the world today. One day I just put myself on the mental main stage and took my experiences and decided to make that a solid foundation to allow other Black Sheeps to take their experience and speak on them. Black sheeps never speak up because they are afraid, so now it’s time for the black sheeps to speak loud and clear. Everyone wants their voice to be heard and I, as a Black Sheep, am here to help and guide other black sheeps of all ages to be heard.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

I started The Black Sheep Speaks on August 8th, 2019 to inspire Black Sheeps to use their voice one trauma at a time. The world labels the Black Sheep as depressing, the odd one out of the family and the crowd. I’m not trying to take people away from being the black sheep. In fact, I want you to continue to be that black sheep. I am trying to change the whole negative definition of “The Black Sheep”. Yeah, the black sheep means you are different, BUT, YOU STAND OUT. I’m going to help you stand out and shine and embrace that you are the Black Sheep. You don’t have to fit in with the family or fit in with the crowd, you will shine and break through. Black sheeps never speak up because they are afraid. So now it’s time for the black sheeps to speak loud and clear. I, as a black sheep, am here to help and guide other black sheeps to a peaceful place we deserve to be at. My goal with this brand is to take something labeled as bad and turn it into something great!
I believe what sets me apart from others is my ability to naturally be my empathetic self with my beautiful Black Sheeps. I call myself “The World’s Best Friend” because I always felt like a best friend to the world more than an individual felt that way towards me. I offer what alot of the world can’t receive and may have never receive and that’s unconditional love. I also created my One on One Vent Sessions on July 12th, 2020 as a service under my brand for Black Sheeps to not feel alone with their vulnerability, trauma and any other battles they may face. I’ve been there before and don’t like the feeling of feeling alone which is why I created it. Most people can’t afford a therapist and they can’t confide in friends or family in fear of being judged so I wanted to be that comfort for people. That service has taken off and I have spoken with Black Sheeps outside of Dallas and even Texas over the phone and through texting, whichever service they prefer. I am truly blessed that they trust me with their story.
I got where I am today by simply being myself. Alot of people know the goofy, fun, inspiring Tahira but they didn’t know the suicide struggles, the codependency, the searching for validation Tahira. Once I decided to put that part of me out and understand that I am human, alot of people started to relate to it and then became vulnerable with me in sharing their similar experiences. The only thing I will say that wasn’t easy, is facing the fear of of judgement from family because in order to tell your story, you have to start with the foundation and even though it’s not a beef or blast fest, it’s just simply you were part of my story, so in order for my Black Sheeps to resonate, I have to be honest. I had to take that logic and perspective to help me overcome that fear.
The lessons I am currently learning is to not care what anybody says about my brand, this is my story and don’t worry about the support I’m not receiving from WHO I WANT IT FROM, just focus on the ones that GOD already have lined up for me.


Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Funny this is asked because I’m still learning the city myself and I been here since I was two, hahaha!

But, we would definitely go to White Rock Lake for the good scenery and a place to enjoy peace and even do some kayaking. I have been going to that lake for 12 years now, I love it.

Nightlife, even though I’m not a clubber, we would hit Deep Ellum, that is a spot I actually knew about but just recently visited, geesh, I’m so lame, lol. That environment is a cool and fun chill out spot to just walk around even in the daytime for the day party vibes and even at night. We would have to EAT AT SERIOUS PIZZA of course!! My friend is also loving the Vegan food so we would go to Tiki Loco in Deep Ellum, Vegan Food House in West Dallas also, that is actually my favorite vegan spot. Also, we can’t be in Dallas without hitting up Val’s Cheesecakes! That is my go to spot multiple times a month, lol. Brunch spots will be a must, Dallas has alot of those. We will definitely be eating good while best friend is visiting that’s for sure, lol.

Overall, I’m just a fun person and it will be a fun vibe no matter where we go, lol but those would be the spots we would be hanging out at.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I want to shout out my husband, Terry Gillian. He has always been front and center in my struggles even if he caused some of them, haha but seriously, I really give him credit because when I started The Black Sheep Speaks in 2019, I was scared because he knows how hush I am about anything I go through. I will only speak to him and close friends about my struggles, so when I decided to start my brand, I knew that everything about me will be out in the world.
One thing he told me was, “In order for people to understand and relate to you, you have to be transparent and not care what anybody else thinks.” He said, “This is similar to how authors are when they write a tell all book, you have to be comfortable with yourself and know that people may be upset because you are telling your story but who cares.”
It was even a point where I considered changing my brand’s name because my mom didn’t approve of it and he told me, “This is your story, not hers, so why change something you created just to please her?”
All of those statements brought me to where I am right now, speaking to you about my brand that I created almost 3 years ago and inspiring and speaking to so many Black Sheeps. I am so glad I never changed it and I got comfortable to really speak my truth and not care about it anymore because by doing that, I have received beautiful energy from Black Sheeps and my supporters.
My husband encourages me to go so hard with my dreams and passions, sends me suggestions, helps with artwork and makes sure whatever I’m doing, I’m doing it for me and my happiness, so with that said, he definitely deserves a lot of credit.

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

Other: One on One Vent Sessions you may book here at this website, https://www.appointfix.com/book/The-Black-Sheep-Speaks

Image Credits
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.