Meet Tiashia Underwood | Veteran Small Business Owner

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

Hi Tiashia, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
After starting my business, I soon discovered that balancing work vs. life, professional vs. personal, or shall I say when to grind and when to stay still is essential to your success and well-being! One thing I know, there’s no stopping time nor is there any going back so often times you only have one shot to complete task and accomplish goals. My balance has been a roller coaster ride, sometimes I do well (have my highs) and sometimes not so well (have my lows). Overtime, I’ve learned to plan week by week and then day by day based off of what that week and even month consist of. During my planning, a number of things help me such as writing tasks down, taking simplified notes, marking my calendar for reminders, and having a start and end time for work and life tasks. I try not to over commit but sometimes it’s unavoidable. Balance is a necessity to being successful, accomplishing your goals, and not overloading yourself which causes burn out and stress. Overall, I’m a firm believer of balance and that there’s a specific time for everything!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Born and raised in Louisiana, primarily raised by a single mother, I quickly learned and adapted to what it is to be a dreamer, hard worker, and go-getter! My father instilled leadership and follow-through that until this day, I humbly live by. My grandmother taught me how to be compassionate, patient, loyal, and grateful for the things I want in life. Growing up and living by these qualities naturally grew bigger and bolder within me over the years as I progressed through school, ending with obtaining my Masters in Business Administration along with completing two terms in the Air Force Reserves. Always wanting more and looking for opportunities, I realized a bigger city would be a boost for such a strong, forward-thinking country girl and decided to move to the DFW area in 2007. Continuously reflecting on my five-year plan, I managed to begin marking off accomplishments that I knew I would succeed in such as getting established in Dallas, purchasing my first home, landing a great job, and beginning my journey of becoming an entrepreneur. After nearly ten years of research and saving, I decided it was time to dive into business ownership. My list of businesses was long (and still is) but I decided my first business would be in the restaurant industry and that is when Blends Daiquiri Lounge “Blends” was created! I’m most proud of rising out of the difficult times of being a young parent and never compromising my goals and becoming an ultimate business owner. Although my journey is a twenty-six year long journey, I can truly say that I’m reaping the fruits of my labor and I’m now a business owner for over three years and gearing up for the next business venture(s) on my list, so stay tuned…!!!!

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.
My favorite spots in the city are: A nice lounge, a great steak restaurant, and of course Blends Daiquiri Lounge. I like places that are considered one-stop shops where you can enjoy not only good food, but also good beverages, music, and entertainment! A girl can never have enough spa time so that would definitely be on my list. I work hard daily so taking a weekend off with either myself or my girls is the way to my heart!!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to send out a shoutout to my small circle of supporters that has seen and heard most of my life’s success stories. I wouldn’t have ever taken this leap of faith if it wasn’t for my husband. He showed me that life is about taking chances and risks so don’t think too hard, just do it and be the best you can be at it. My mother always has my back, understands me, and supports me regardless of what it is. She’s my rock and knows when I need help. My son knows me very well and gives me a different way of looking at certain things so he’s my advocate for different ideas and ways to view certain things that get the best of me. Lastly, I have two friends that are business owners so they know the journey, hurdles, success stories, and aching moments. I lean on them for inspiration, direction, and opinions!

Website: www.blendsdaiquirilounge.com

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

Linkedin: linkedin.com/blendsdaiquiri

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlendsDaiquiri

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

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/blends-daiquiri-lounge-carrollton