Life and Work with Theresa Delaney

Today we’d like to introduce you to Theresa Delaney.

Theresa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In 2015, I started my first business doing brand identity and messaging development with other entrepreneurs. I had been living in Tucson for four years but felt alone. After two cross-country moves, my friends were scattered across different states, everyone from college jetted off after graduation, and my family lived back on the East Coast. Add on leaving my full-time agency job, and suddenly, I was spending my days on my own at my computer. Without the support system I was used to, I felt shy and hesitant to “get out there”. Plus, I didn’t know where “out there” was or how to find it. I was actively seeking out local, face to face interaction, but coming up short. ⠀
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I found myself craving the opportunity to find other people that were interested in doing things that I was interested in doing, too. I started brainstorming… how could I go from feeling isolated and alone to being part of a community of like-minded women?
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The answer ended up being simple, but so powerful: craft workshops. By giving people a comfortable place to gather, learn new skills, and do something hands-on, the connecting came naturally. Finally.

Now, Creative Tribe is it’s own business, with monthly programming and an event space in downtown Tucson. We’re expanding to new cities this year!

Has it been a smooth road?
The first thing that popped into my head upon reading this was – “is it ever?”. Starting anything new – a business, a project, a relationship – is always full of the unexpected. Both good and bad! I continue to face struggles every day, especially as a young, female entrepreneur running two businesses. The challenges evolve, but I don’t believe they get any easier or less complex.

The first thing I would tell other young women that are just getting started is to seek out a community. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel or rely solely on trial-and-error, there are plenty of people that have been in your shoes and can offer you sound advice. My first foray into the world of entrepreneurship was through Facebook groups, and I discovered so many women that were willing to share their knowledge and experience. It was incredibly valuable, but it’s important to get out there locally, too, to find people that you can commiserate and collaborate with face-to-face.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Creative Tribe – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Creative Tribe is a community for creative women looking to connect with each other and their own creativity. Through monthly in-person workshops and craft nights, we gather women together that otherwise might never have met – from entrepreneurs and artists to stay-at-home moms and corporate professionals.

The overarching purpose is to bring women together, face-to-face, to connect in a comfortable environment. It’s a place to make friends, try something new and get creative.

All of our workshops are capped at 24 seats or fewer, making it easier for guests to start lasting conversations. The workshops consist of two core components: an instructional demonstration that leads into a hands-on project, all built around a creative topic, like a watercolor painting, floral design or embroidery.

I’m most proud of the environment we create at every event – it’s low-pressure socially but intellectually challenging and incredibly fun.

Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
Absolutely. I’m privileged to have grown up in a household where I had the freedom and resources to pursue whatever I expressed interest in. It changed all the time, from sewing my own clothing to music management to painting my room with chalkboard paint. My parents were the type to smell the paint, then bring me some new chalk and remind me to open a window. Having that ability to experiment without limitation definitely contributed to my ability as an adult to fearlessly try new things.

Not to mention having books, books, books everywhere, all the time. Reading opens so many doors.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.creativetribeworkshop.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/creativetribeworkshop
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/creativetribeworkshop

Image Credit:
Fine Photo Co., Julianne Capati

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