Continuing our long relationship with Bastet Noir, Mindthis Magazine’s fashion section continues to highlight empowered women and their stories that have changed the fashion world. Enjoy the complete series at Bastet Noir.
As human beings, taking things for granted is a mistake almost everyone makes at least once in their lifetime. Learning how to be grateful is a task extremely difficult to master in life, and yet it’s the only thing we must conquer if we ever want to get to the root of who we truly are. Saying “thank you” might seem difficult, especially in trying times, but the more you say it, the more things you’ll find in your life to be thankful for. Ignore this simple universal wisdom and you’ll find yourself living a life of constant discontent, blaming everything and everyone around you for the failures only you are responsible for.
Unfortunately we’re not born with innate gratitude. As human beings it doesn’t come naturally to us. What we’re born with is the capability to learn, adapt, evolve and constantly improve by practicing being thankful for every single thing that happens, regardless of how good or bad it might be. That’s why we look up to role models, people who’ve walked this road before us to lead the way by example. We listen to their encouraging words of wisdom and get motivated by their transformative life stories and for us one such individual who has influenced our lives for the better is Tai Beauchamp, a former beauty and fashion editor of top publications, including Harper’s Bazaar, Good Housekeeping, O, The Oprah Magazine, VIBE Vixen, and Seventeen. She has showed us how important it is to show up for yourself each and every day and for that we will always be thankful. So for the latest edition of Cool Faces of Bastet Noir, she shares the importance of embracing your own spirituality, her proudest moment to date and her next move.
BASTET NOIR: In your words who is Tai Beauchamp?
TB: Tai Beauchamp is a believer in the power of women. She is consistent. She’s kind. At the same time, she’s about business. She is a woman of purpose and power.
TB: What’s your morning ritual?
I wake up most mornings before 6 AM. I pray, I read scriptures, I read a devotional, one of my favorites is Until Today by Iyanla Vanzant. I read it everyday and do Live Instagram Stories everyday Monday-Friday around 7 AM PST where I read them and break them down. My followers really enjoy that. And then we talk about current events. And then I meditate and write an affirmation of the day. And then I work out. I work out 5–6 times a week. I live in the Hollywood Hills so I hike 3 times a week at least in addition to going to Equinox. I’m obsessed with Equinox.
BASTET NOIR: Your career has been just one impressive move after another one. You’ve been a beauty and fashion editor of top publications, including Harper’s Bazaar, Good Housekeeping, O, The Oprah Magazine, VIBE Vixen, and Seventeen — where you made history as the magazine’s youngest and first African-American Beauty and Fitness Director. You’ve been named WWD’s Top 50 Most Influential in the Multicultural Market List, along people like Beyonce, Rihanna and Salma Hayek in 2015. Having done all of these impressive things, we’re curious to know what are you working on right now?
TB: It has been an incredible ride. I’ve been an entrepreneur for 13 years this March. I’ve loved the freedom and the ability to work on so many different types of projects at one time. Today, I’m producing as well as directing and hosting. And my goal for this year is to truly impact more lives. So, I am in the process of launching my online e-learning course called Beyond Ready where I’ll teach essential skills and provide confidence coaching to help my community become masters of their universe. It’s focus is women but I also know that the principles will be helpful and relevant to everyone. I’m really excited about it! I’ve always mentored and coached so many people informally. Beyond Ready will enable me to connect with more people, share my learnings, my life experiences about spiritual development as well as knowledge of business and entrepreneurship. The course will launch this spring.
BASTET NOIR: Three things you wish you knew before starting out…
- That entrepreneurship doesn’t mean you are your own boss, it means that you will have as many bosses as you do clients.
- The power of partnering strategically and effectively.
- Build a board of advisors, even if it’s a group of informal advisors.
BASTET NOIR: Strong female figure who has had a tremendous influence on your personal growth.
TB: My grandmother! And my mother! The two of them and not for the obvious reasons. My grandmother experienced a tragic fall that left her paralyzed and a quadriplegic. I became a caregiver at the age of 28. I was always mature but it was then that I really learned to not only multi-task but to prioritize multiple things that were all very important to me: her, my career, and entrepreneurship. I came to a deeper sense of our mortality and became even more connected to my spirituality. I’ve always been deeply spiritual but my grandmothers frail condition challenged me to think beyond the frailty of our physical selves. Even more, both she and my mother who remains dedicated to attending to her care, have been true examples of perseverance. When I think I can’t do something, I think of both of them. When I feel tired, I think of them. Their resilience, though overwhelmingly emotional, is also inspiring and reminds me how strong the human spirit is. And even more that every woman is a badass in her own right!
BASTET NOIR: Best female empowerment motivational speech
TB: Michelle Obama’s recent speech in Brooklyn. I believe she gave it on or around December 2, 2018 as part of her book tour. I love what she said to rebut the idea of leaning in and the reality that it is nearly impossible for women to have every single thing or “it all” all at the same time. I agree. I think the idea of having it all or creating balance is a myth. It’s just not realistic. And sadly, so many women struggle and drive themselves crazy working to try to have it all at the same time. I think one of the most important things that women must do, is grant ourselves grace. Love ourselves, honor ourselves and the process. We are mighty beings.
BASTET NOIR: Biggest failure in life and what you’ve learnt from it?
TB:Man! So many lessons. Some personal and some professional. I’d say personal, don’t focus all of your time on work. I’m a 41 year old single woman and I truly want a family. I have no regrets but as someone who was focused on career, I think I could have been more intentional about focusing on building the right relationship. I realize where ever you invest time is where you will see return. I think modern day women have a beautiful opportunity to invest in their personal lives, professional lives, spiritual lives, and emotional well-being.
Other greatest lesson is if and when you do partner, especially in business, do all of your homework.
BASTET NOIR: Proudest moment to date
TB: Taking the leap of faith and moving to LA. It was a tough decision personally and professionally as I didn’t move here with any work opportunities, or a real house or apartment, and I was leaving my family and friends on the east coast. But being here has really helped me to become more centered and also helped me to begin to consider what’s next differently. I’m truly proud of me for stepping all the way out of my comfort zone for ME!
BASTET NOIR: What’s your next move?
TB: CHANGE, I’m truly proud of myself, there are a few amazing projects in the air. Beyond Ready will launch Spring 2019. I am working on a couple of TV Shows and will begin filming one, a travel show, called Lens of Color that will air on a new network called CleoTV that is aimed toward millennial women of color. I’ll be doing a lot more public speaking as well this year. I’m beginning to work on a book. And I’m really excited to see what is next!
BASTET NOIR: What’s in your Bastet Noir cart?
The Ali dress and The Red Shirt Dress!
Being grateful is the single most important thing in life and yet we always seem to forget to say thanks for everything this life has given us. Instead we focus on the one thing that seems to lack in our lives, thinking why me. Why not you? Changing our perception from victims to individuals who are eager to turn every downfall into a lesson, might seem like an impossible task, but it’s a pivotal step to take when pursuing a more fulfilled and meaningful life. The practice of counting your own blessings, speaking kindly to ourselves, allowing ourselves to make mistakes and learn from them is important. We’re only humans after all. And just when we learn how to show up for ourselves each and every day, the world will show up for us too.
So, in the spirit of counting our own blessings, thank you Tai for showing us the importance of gratitude. If you ever wonder whether you’ve made a difference in someone else’s life, know that you’ve made a tremendous one in ours.
We love strong, confident and self reliant women, so if you think you got what it takes, send us an email with your Instagram account and the story you’d like to share and you might just become Bastet Noir’s next cool face.
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