Community Highlights: Meet Tia Teasley of Love Overload, Inc.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tia Teasley

Hi Tia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a native of Wendell, North Carolina. I received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Grand Canyon University and a Women in Entrepreneurship business certification from Cornell University. Currently, I am pursuing my Masters of Business Administration with an expected graduation of July 2025.

I always knew that business would be the foundation of my career; however, building an empire in the beauty industry is my passion. In July 2009, I was laid off from my corporate job as a Logistics Accountant in the building supply/logistics industry. It was devastating at the time; however, my tenure there along with prior internships at Fortune 500 companies supported the foundation of my business career. While working full-time as a Logistics Accountant, I was attending Miller-Motte Technical College of Cary, North Carolina in the evenings. By August 2009, I received my licensure as a NC State Board Esthetician and became a NC State Board of Cosmetic Arts Instructor in 2017 to later teach at Miller-Motte Technical College at the Cary and Raleigh campuses. In October 2009, I received my first job as a sales esthetician for a prestigous cosmetics line. I moved up fairly quickly to a Lead Sales Esthetician and worked closely with National and Global executives to train sales estheticians and drive product and service sales. For years, our location consistently exceeded retail and service sales goals and maintained #1 and Top 5 brow bar national rankings. I received a lot of traction in this position and enjoyed sharpening my skills in sales, management, conflict resolution, servant leadership, professional development, and networking while working with an incredible group of beauty professionals daily. For sure, I would not be The Duchess of Brows without making this career move with this company and I am greatly appreciative.

In 2016, I established The Duchess of Brows, LLC. that houses The Duchess of Brows Studio and Empress Beauty Dynasty & Co. cosmetics brand. In 2019, I founded Love Overload, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit that was designed to empower, encourage, and support women’s facilities that assist women experiencing homelessness, domestic violence trauma, and are at poverty risk. Love Overload, Inc. has inspired my acceptance to Christian ministry where I serve in my local church in various capacities. Recently, I have entered into the entertainment industry via the gospel music circuit in artist management, professional development and as the host of The Gospel Express on WLGG (We Love Good Gospel), a radio station of E.G.O Entertainment Network.

I have 17 years of experience in the business sector, of which 8 years have been dedicated to executive leadership, business management, personal & professional development. I am committed to educate, mentor, and inspire new or aspiring beauty professionals and entrepreneurs.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road. Anyone who has experienced part-time or full-time entrepreneurship understands that it is not always peaches and cream because of obvious woes with entrepreneurship such as: inconsistent sales days, possible unhappy customers, or reaping the consequences of poor business decisions.

Early in my career, I struggled with confidence. I would dim my light so that others could shine brighter; therefore, I preferred working in the background. I struggled with this until my early 30s. My breakthrough came, one day, when one of my sister-friends/mentors called me on the phone. She jumped right into it and asked, “Tia, why do you like working in the background when you are anointed to be in the forefront?!” Instantly, I felt annoyance rising because I was not trying to hear a speech that day (haha) I responded, “Because I just do…” So, I told her, let me call you back and gracefully rushed her off the phone. Over the next few moments, the question continuously ran through my mind. I asked myself, “Why do I like working in the background?” I began to play in my head moments throughout grade school that I would be picked on for being a bookworm and scholarly. It’s amazing how things that we never healed from can snowball into bigger issues as an adult. The light bulb went off in my head that I no longer have to be self conscious about how God made me. I called my sister-friend back to share this newly discovered epiphany. We prayed and cried that day. From that day and forward, it was like The Lord washed away the self sabotage, insecurities, and hightened my knowledge of who I am. I learned that when you understand who you are in Christ, your views on other’s opinion of you indeed change. Every once in a while, I may experience moments of insecurities but I strive to keep those moments very short and remain positive.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Love Overload, Inc. ?
Many know me as The Duchess of Brows. I own a waxing studio in North Raleigh since 2016. We provide enhanced eyebrow waxing services that include eyebrow mapping and eyebrow tinting. In addition, we offer advanced eyebrow treatments such as brow lamination, eyelash enhancement applications, and full body waxing services. When you book an appointment, we take pride in customizing your service to your needs. Our eyebrow services begin with a consultation followed by sculpting your eyebrows according to your facial structure and best features. Additionally, as a licensed North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Arts Instructor, I offer continued education courses for licensed beauty professionals. My curriculum focuses on skin physiology, the science behind esthetics, advanced waxing techniques, personal and professional development.

My non-profit is my “baby”. When people ask about my non-profit, I always share that it started as a grief project after I lost my beautiful mother in 2016. During grief, I longed for the warmth that a mother’s love provides. I went on an 8-day fast with intention that included prayer and mediation. The Lord charged me to love on someone so He could heal me. I was obedient and instantly began to volunteer with my “you are anointed to be in the forefront” sister-friend that I mentioned earlier. Listen, your tribe matters! If your friends are not holding you accountable and helping you become a better person, it is time to rethink your tribe. Eventually, I started my own group of volunteers that included a few friends. Soon after, we were going monthly to the Women’s Center of Wake County to serve and show love through giving back. The amount of love that we put in our projects led to the creation of Love Overload. What is Love Overload and who are we? Consider this: “when mothers are financially stable and emotionally healthy, they raise up a generation of children who are more likely to succeed in school, hold stable jobs, and contribute positively to society. They break the cycle of hardship and set a new paradigm for their families.” Love Overload, Inc. is a minority-operated 501c3 organization which was founded in February 2019. In 5 years, we have impacted hundreds of lives, mainly but not limited to Southeast Raleigh, North Carolina through volunteerism and community service.

When someone chooses to invest in non-profit organizations such as Love Overload, Inc., you aren’t simply donating money—you’re investing in lives, local communities and, ultimately, the future. When you aid women who are experiencing hardships, healing from trauma stemming from domestic violence, drug abuse and addiction, you empower them to rise above their circumstances; which can result in a positive ripple effect that extends even to their families and communities.

Love Overload reaches our target market through three pillar initiatives: Love & Uplift Community Meals, Annual ThanksGIVING Coat Drive, and It Takes A Village NICU Project. Since our conception, our executive team and faithful volunteers have provided quarterly Love & Uplift community meals and toiletry drives, 3 ThanksGIVING Coat Drives, and plan to launch It Takes A Village NICU Project in Q4 2024.

For our Love & Uplift community meals initiative, we have partnered with local churches and community-based organizations to serve hot meals to local women’s facilities and shelter in Raleigh, NC. To date, we have hosted 36 community meals and 12 toiletry drives where we collected toiletries, personal hygiene products, and other necessities needed for our blessing bags – a crucial staple in our outreach efforts. We also have hosted financial literacy seminars on budgeting & personal development through our partnership with local churches. Our 2024 client is The Helen Wright Center of Urban Ministries in Raleigh, North Carolina. We serve on average 65 women at their facility per community meal. Many are homeless, in drug recovery or domestic violence survivors. Our goal is to host our first enrichment class soon at HWC. From 2019 to 2023, we partnered with The Women’s Center of Wake County where we served an average of 40 women per community meal.

Annual ThanksGIVING Coat Drive: we partner with Ascend Worship Church in Cary, North Carolina to provide warm clothing and necessities to local women’s facilities. Over the span of 3 years, we have collected over 800 articles of warm clothing, distributed over 160 toiletry bags to those in need.

If anyone is looking for volunteer opportunities, partner with us or become a sponsor, please feel free to visit our website, follow us on our social media platforms to send us a message, or contact us via email.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
One of the most important lessons that I have learned along my journey is from another sister-friend. She said to me that whatever God has placed my thumbprint on, it is for me; therefore, no one can take it. Often times we question God out of the fear of the unknown. We want to know when, what, how, and why. I am in a fantastic season of restoration, growth and I am experiencing the peace of God far beyond my understanding. I want what God wants for me at His appointed time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.loveoverloadinc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveoverloadinc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loveoverloadinc
• Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/theduchessofbrows
• Other: https://www.theduchessofbrows.com