We had the good fortune of connecting with Tasha Vass and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Tasha, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
“Comfort is where dreams go to fade away” is the most important lesson I have learned thus far.
My journey into a career as a creator began when I stepped out of my comfort zone to pursue my passion. It has been a unique path with many twists and turns. After earning a Political Science degree in three years and graduating magna cum laude during the height of the pandemic, I needed a job and found myself in marketing. A few months later, I was juggling two roles: working on the brand team of a major haircare company while spearheading marketing for a real estate group in Los Angeles. I pushed myself to learn as much as possible. While I enjoyed working in marketing, I craved the autonomy of being my own boss and exploring my creative side, a facet I hadn’t fully tapped into before.
In 2022, I made the decision to explore this untapped potential. One of my friends, Jessica Knudsen, was pursuing film and photography and loved being the creative brain behind the camera. Meanwhile, I was interested in seeing what I could do as a model and creative direct alongside her. I guess you could call it fate that we became friends around the time we were both entering into the creative world!
One day we said, “let’s just plan a shoot and see what happens.” We began planning impromptu photoshoots, scavenging our closets for outfits, scouting locations, and fearlessly experimenting with our vision. With a car full of clothes and zero experience, we shot several looks around Little Tokyo in Los Angeles. I fell in love with the whole process and started sharing more on social media. I had no idea what I was doing, but I had a trust in myself that I’d figure it out and embraced the uncertainty.
Today, I find myself creating, working with brands and other creators, all while documenting my journey – a reality I once dreamt of. If it weren’t for that moment of meeting someone like minded and putting myself in uncomfortable situations, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable has transformed my life. It has instilled a confidence I never thought possible.
For anyone hesitating to seize opportunities or fearing the unknown, I urge you to take that leap. Imposter syndrome is real and overthinking is far too easy a trap to fall into. But it’s in those uncomfortable moments that growth happens. At the end of the day, you tried, and that’s what matters.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a content creator and model, alongside being a social media manager professionally. I believe what sets me apart from others is that my content isn’t of a specific niche. I have a mix between showing the creative photoshoots that I produce, mixed in with wellness, fashion, and my personal life. I share as much of my life as possible with the goal of inspiring others to live a life where work and play are harmonious, and to embrace their multifaceted identities.
I’ve ventured into freelance modeling which has been a journey of stepping out of my comfort zone by reaching out to photographers, building my portfolio, and boldly putting myself out there. Recently, I launched my YouTube channel – something that really excites me. It’s a platform where I share my wellness journey and vlogs.
Although this journey hasn’t been easy, it’s been incredibly rewarding. I had to make huge life changes, trading going out on weekends for Friday nights at home editing. I have a full-time job, so I work beyond a 40 hour workweek with some days stretching to 18 hours long. Yet, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love working on the projects I’m passionate about, and I know this is the time and effort I must put in now to make my dreams a reality. I believe in dedicating myself wholeheartedly to whatever I put my mind to, and the future I’m creating excites me.
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.
Houston holds a very special place in my heart. I lived there until the 5th grade, then I moved to Indonesia, followed by moving to Los Angeles when I was 18. My older siblings stayed in Houston, so all my summers and winter breaks were spent there. Now, I spend every few months in Houston.
My ideal day starts by getting coffee at La La Land Cafe or breakfast at Common Bond Bistro & Bakery on Montrose. I would then hit a park for a long walk or if I’m in the mood for a workout, I’d head to Alphaland. Christian Guzman – one of my biggest inspirations – has created a gym that I highly recommend to any fitness enthusiast.
You can’t go wrong with Houston’s diverse array of restaurants. For a late lunch or dinner, Le Colonial Houston is my favorite. I dream of their Fire Cracker Beef!
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?
Jessica Knudsen and Chris Archey are two individuals who have played huge roles in my journey as a creator. Jessica is incredibly creative and has helped me explore new avenues in my career. From brainstorming wild shoot concepts to traveling long hours to locations, she’s always up for the challenge. We dive headfirst into projects, pushing the boundaries of our creativity to bring our visions to life. It’s this mutual trust that truly sets our collaborations apart.
Chris embodies the essence of a go-getter; he’s someone who doesn’t just dream but takes action to make those dreams a reality. His relentless pursuit of his goals serve as a constant source of inspiration for me. He’s pushed me out of my comfort zone, nudging me towards opportunities I might have hesitated to pursue.
Additionally, I’d like to shoutout my parents, who have been unwavering in their support throughout my life.
Through the encouragement of these individuals, I’ve learned to trust myself more and embrace the unknown with confidence. I am incredibly grateful to have such amazing people in my corner.
Website: linktr.ee/tashavass
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tashavass/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tashavass
Image Credits
Jessica Knudsen