Tierza Davis is the owner of Pura Vida Adventures a Costa Rica surf and Yoga retreat for women to empower the mind body and spirit.
Video on Diva Maverick Mavens courtesy of Tierza Davis.
Is your family adventurous?
Tierza Davis
I am probably the most adventurous person in my family, but they all are entrepreneurs.
Why did you choose in the 90's to work in Marketing?
Tierza Davis
I went to business school at USC with an emphasis in marketing. That was the kind of career I wanted when I graduated.
Was marketing what you truly wanted at that time or did you settle or were you unsure?
Tierza Davis
When I left college, I wanted to work for an advertising agency. My first job was with one, but it wasn't of course my ideal job. You always have to start at the bottom. It was definitely the direction I wanted to go and I was pretty sure about it.
What impact did your parents have on shaping your self- esteem to feel confident enough to pursue a dream?
Tierza Davis
I think they had a big impact. They are very positive people especially my mom and she has always encouraged me to do what I want...and to realize my dreams.
I once heard a person say that our lives are revealed to us in stages. What has been your experience as an entrepreneur?
Tierza Davis
II would say if that is true than this is the best stage of my life. owning my own business, getting to surf everyday and meeting amazing women. my experience has been extremely positive from the get go and the only stage I am going through right now is the economy and I believe that all businesses and economies go through cycle...up and down, up and down and back up. It is just like life, you just need to ride the wave and not fight the current.
After the dot com burst and you were forced to re-evaluate your life, what significant but powerful changes did you make?
Tierza Davis
I went on a 8 month trip through central America and really had time to reflect back on my life and find out what I truly wanted. The most powerful change that I made was to get out of corporate America and start my own business. It was amazing how liberating and empowering it is to have your own business and see your dream unfold.
What challenges do you face in running a business as unique as yours and how do you find balance and harmony when a hurricane is at knocking at your door.
Tierza Davis
I think the biggest challenge is that i have my own business in a foreign country. figuring out the different laws, culture and making sure the locals are your friends. I find balance by staying positive and knowing that in the end everything always is meant to be. I of course go through stressful moments, but yoga, surfing and massage really keeps me in balance and remind me what life is all about...having fun!
What did quality of life mean to you in the 1990s and how has that definition changed today?
Tierza Davis
I was living in San Francisco so the meaning of life and was definitely different. I thought that having a good job, having great friends and having nice things was a great quality of life. Now I believe having great friends/family and being happy with what you have is the best quality of life.
What did you do for 8 months in Central America? And if you were locked in an elevator with yourself before the dot com bust, what would you tell yourself.
Tierza Davis
I traveled all over central America: Costa Rica 4 months, panama 2 weeks, Nicaragua 2 weeks, Honduras 3 weeks, Guatemala 1-1/2 months, and Mexico 3 weeks. I was traveling around surfing, sightseeing, meeting tons of people, learned how to scuba dive, went to a meditation retreat, and just had the best time of my life. I was traveling and waiting for the job market to get better and that is when I was when I decided to start Pura Vida adventures. In the elevator...I would have probably felt like a victim and asked myself what I was doing wrong! little did I know that the answers where to come.
What is the best advice you can give to an entrepreneur with a business idea that is as unique as your own...
Tierza Davis
Just go for it...feel the fear and do it anyway...the worst that could happen is that you fail and even worse then that is the regret if you didn't just do it.
Many women suffer from the victim mentality. What can you tell other women who are living a life of regrets?
Tierza Davis
This is truly a hard one. I would say to them that find something that they truly love to do and pursue it. It is easy for me to say because I get high off of things that give me fear. So, it is hard for me to tell someone how to get out of living life of regret, because each of us respond differently. For myself, I would probably take up a sport or do some yoga to start centering myself and do something that feels good and makes me physically feel good. I think that sports such as surfing really help you get reconnected with yourself and give you a sense of empowerment. Many women come to the surf camp feeling a little lost and at the end the have more clarity and focus. I think retreats, vacations and just taking time for yourself helps you refocus your life.
What can you tell an entrepreneur who is searching for funding? What steps did you take to fund a project like yours?
Tierza Davis
I was completely self funded. Back when I started the business credit cards were doing 0% financing for a year...So that was my loan for a year, but I paid it off by the end of year one, so I never had to pay the finance charges. When I was building the business, I had a job working for a friend. So I pretty much just funded on my own.
What is your philosophy for living?
Tierza Davis
You only have one chance in this life, so you better live every moment of your life like it is the last one. don't take it so seriously and enjoy.
What is the best part of your day? What gives you the juice?
Tierza Davis
Surfing.
Tell me about your surfing?
Tierza Davis
I started when I was 32 and it changed my life. I have been surfing for 7 years and everyday is a new day... New challenges, new waves, nothing is ever constant. It is the only time that I am truly in the moment. ...Not thinking of everything I need to do, just enjoy my time out in the water.
Now tell me about Pura Vida Adventures camp?
Tierza Davis
What would you like to know specifically?
How do you help women focus and find themselves again?
Tierza Davis
Most women who come to the camp have very busy and some very stressful lives. Most of them are professional women in their 30's and need a week long break. I think it is the combination of the surfing, the absolute beauty of Costa Rica, the very relaxed surroundings (everything takes time) and that they get to meet other women like them that help them refocus their life. This is their time to slow down and get reconnected to their soul and nature. It can be a pretty powerful experience. Some women of course are already focused and this is just a great vacation for them, because they get to surf and enjoy themselves.
Define thankfulness and being present in this moment? What is your best parting advice to women on life, business, joy, etc?
Tierza Davis
I think being thankful is when you are thankful for everything little thing that you have. not the things that are expensive or big, but everything. Live, love and learn.
...and the present moment?
Tierza Davis
Enjoying ever moment with no worries about the past or the future. my favorite book is The Power of Now. It was my bible during my 8 months in Central America.
www.PuraVidaAdventures.com, info@PuraVidaAdventures.com and 415-465-2162.
Thank you for an interesting interview and taking us into your world.
Tierza Davis
Thank you so much for including us in your article. This is really exciting time for you. Good luck and definitely have fun building your dream.
Angelia Miller is the founder of Diva Maverick Mavens www.divamaverickmavens.com a new bread of feisty, non-conformist adventure loving adrenaline-high entrepreneur. The tag line is: Empowering Women by Interviewing Empowered Women... Inspiring "You" to Take ACTION! Casting exceptional dynamic talent for fresh content is the mission of Diva Maverick Mavens. The interview is in the original transcript form with minimal editing to preserve the integrity of the content.
