Meet Tierra Pitchford | Educator & Owner of Brilliant Moments Event Planning

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

Hi Tierra, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting my own business has allowed me to do something that I have enjoyed doing as a hobby since in high school. Being the class president for my grade level and having the opportunity to plan various social and fundraising events I grew to enjoy and love. Then when I went to college and got involved with the Multicultural Affairs Department at UT-Arlington, my experience working with the department led me to plan and execute many more types of events like conferences, talent shows, keynote speaker diversity events, and award shows. I also would plan, decorate and execute events for family and friends and one day I thought I could make this as my own business. My dad also planned a role in the thought process of starting my own business because I saw him run a small business and work for the state as I was growing up. His small business was his hobby that he enjoyed.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am an educator and small business owner. This is my 7th year teaching and 11th year in education. Over the years I have been director of after school program for Pflugerville ISD, and educator in Pflugerville and currently in Hutto ISD. I have taught grade 1st and 3rd and currently teaching kindergarten. As an educator and business owner it has not been the easiest, but my passion, determination and motivation has kept me going over the years. Juggling both has been a challenge but I continue to plan and manage my time in order to make it all work.

I recently was one of the 12 part of the Scholastic’s Inaugural Teacher Fellows Cohort. This was a proud accomplishment in my career because I had the opportunity to work with 11 other educators across the United States and we presented our work at the Scholastic Headquarters in July 2023. It was an honor and privilege to be able to showcase my passion through this opportunity.

My passion, determination, and motivation has helped me to get where I am in my professional career. The students are my why that keeps me going. I believe that all students should receive an equitable experience in school that will help them be successful.

The lessons I have learned along the way was to always do what is right by the children and to speak up when things are not putting students first because as an educator I am the voice for them. I also learned that not every parent or person is going to agree with what you do, but you have to continue to push through no matter what because being an educator now is a hard task. You can not make everyone happy and that is ok.

I want the world to know that you can do whatever you put your mind to, as a wife, mother, youth coach, graduate student, educator and small business owner, I wear many hats but I continue to push despite the trials I may face. I want to be an example for my children and any child they may look up to me. I want them to know with determination and action you can succeed in whatever you want.

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.
The Domain is the hot place in Austin, TX to experience all you need, eating, shopping, drinking, and you will be able to have fun and enjoy your friends and family.

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?
There are several people that I would like to take this time to shoutout that has played a valuable part of my small business journey:

1. I would like to shoutout my husband, D’Jon Pitchford Sr., without the support he has provided me I would not be where I am today. He has supported me through different trainings that I wanted to attend and his continuous motivation and encouragement keeps me pushing.

2. Secondly, Aristia Mosley, has been a silent background motivator that checks in and pushes me to take my talent and expertise to another level. She continues to believe in me and push me to the next level that she knows I am capable of reaching. She has been there from the very beginning of Brilliant Moments and was also behind motivating me to make it an official small business.

3. A recent person that has came in only 1 year ago and pushed me beyond limits that I did not realize, Archie J. Jenkins Sr., Mr. 180 himself. In just 1 year he has pushed me to not only do local events but also different cities. Him welcoming me to the 180 Lyfe Family has provided a support system like no other. In the small business world, he has been a positive mentor and help guide Brilliant Moments in the marketing aspect.

4. Lastly, I could not do everything I do without my assistant and sister in law, Jazz’zmen Pitchford, when I have different ideas and in the planning phase she is always there to listen and talk through the planning with me. She is my right hand and continues to support all my efforts.

Of course I can shoutout more people that has been supportive in my small business journey, but these 4 people have played a remarkable part in the overall success of Brilliant Moments in various moments of the journey.

Instagram: business: @brilliantmomentsep personal: @determinedtee

Linkedin: Tierra Pitchford

Facebook: Business: Brilliant Moments Event Planning Personal: Tierra Pitchford

Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBiGE5x6Zek