Tiffany Battle’s bold and unapologetic sense of style has caught the attentions of many.  Her striking silhouettes and prints are every girl’s #closetgoals. However, besides inspiring your fashion style, she recently launched a passion project, This Space is Reserved, an uplifting platform helping others push through any negative experience they face and how to overcome them. Let’s find out more about Tiffany and her latest adventure.

Tell us about a little bit about yourself.

I’m Tiffany Battle, the Personal Style Blogger and Online Influencer of The Werk! Place. My background is in Chemical Engineering, and I’ve worked in the industry for over 9 years!

By nature, I’m a very logical and methodical person. Couple that with being able to conquer math and science successfully, engineering seemed like the perfect fit. I struggled throughout my career to find creative outlets within the engineering field, so The Werk! Place was a great option. I started blogging back in 2012 and I haven’t looked back since.

 How did you get into the world of fashion blogging?

The Werk! Place was started back in October 2012 after a monumental international birthday trip and a short visit to Paris during Fashion Week. Paris Fashion Week was such a movie! I immediately went to purchase a DLSR camera, bought a domain name, created the site, put on a cute outfit and created my first blog post.

You’ve turned your passion into profit, what are some obstacles you faced in the early stages?

I’m still knee-deep in it! I’m facing obstacles right now in terms of what to prioritize and where to invest money. I’m in the risk taking phase. Everything that I’m doing right now is a toss-up, and I just pray that it works out. That’s the real real.

Tell us about your latest project This Space is Reserved.

I started This Space Is Reserved (thisspaceisreserved.tumblr.com) the week of my 4th Blogiversay. It’s a passion project that celebrates ridding yourself and your life of negative influences. I would see these ‘No Parking’ signs all around the city and they started to become symbols of telling the negativity that it could not park here in my life any longer. I wanted to share that power.

How important was it for you create this platform?

The platform is a very important reminder to take control of your thoughts and your life. Sure, life happens to all of us but it’s how we react to those moments in life that will make the difference. Thoughts become things. The moment that you can start to see the positive in any situation, you’ve won.

I can’t pass a ‘No Parking’ sign without feeling liberated. It’s a gentle reminder to rise above those thoughts and keep on keeping on.

What are some lessons you’ve learned from others who’ve shared their stories?

I love learning about how other people take control of their thoughts or deal with the negativity. That power is contagious. It’s just a reminder that we’re only as good as what we think about ourselves. 

How do you deal with negative energy?

It depends on the source. I’ll call someone (usually my mom) and she’ll talk me down. Then, I deal with those feelings and move on. So, for me, talking it out really helps.

Those we expect to support or pour love into us are usually the one’s fueling negativity. How do you deal with it?

I’ve definitely dealt with this. I used to get hung up on it. Now, I just take note and keep it moving. I’ve distanced myself from people who carry around and relish in negative energy. I literally don’t have space for it anymore. I want all of my blessings, and I don’t need anything getting in the way of that.

What are three things you do to maintain your peace?

I used to do hot yoga. I need to get back into that. It was life changing! These days, a run outside, reading self-care books, and talking it out have been my saving graces.

Social media is a blessing and a curse, how can one stop the comparison game?

It’s always helpful to remember what you yourself put out there and what you don’t share. Other people are doing the same. Life is never all good or all bad. Also, if you’re walking in your own purpose, what other people are doing is literally a non-factor.

If you could write a letter to your younger self about appreciating the journey what would you tell her?

Younger Tiff,

Listen here, man. You literally don’t have to go through life being miserable and trying to fit some mold that was never meant for you. You are living the very essence of square peg round hole. Take the time to find out what will make you happy and go for that with all of your spirits. Stay open to life and be present. There will be opportunities all around you. You just have to be open and ready to take them. Don’t wait around for the perfect time because there won’t be one. The journey won’t be pretty or perfect but it will be worth it. Keep pressing forward. There’s life on the other side.

Love you like never before,

Older Tiff

Keep in contact with Tiffany!

Site: The Werk! Place

Instagram: @thewerkplace

Facebook: The Werk! Place

Twitter: @thewerkplace

Pinterest: The Werk! Place

Youtube: TheWerkPlace1

Snapchat: thewerkplace