Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Sun.
Hi Tiffany, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My first dive into social media was when I was in middle school. First, it was a place for me to spam post pictures of cupcakes I liked or nail art I was proud of. Gradually, my mindset towards social media was an online portfolio for me to gain awareness from fellow creatives and my first-hand practice with building experience with marketing. Now, my mindset toward social media is to curate thoughtful and meaningful messages that bring value to others. One of my advocacies is bringing awareness to Taiwanese independence. Taiwan is not seen as a sovereign state recognized by most countries over the world and is referred to as the “Republic of China.” While I stand in my beliefs, I understand the controversy surrounding this topic and respect those that may disagree with me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’m currently pursuing my Bachelor in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science at the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business and Moody College of Communications with the goal of working in brand management. But, life wasn’t always so clear for me. When I entered university, it was on appeal and as an undecided major. While my fellow classmates seemed to have a clear-cut path to their future, I had no clue. The uncertainty of switching majors was giving me MAJOR imposter syndrome of whether I deserved to be here. But, with the support of friends and family, I set out to have a high GPA and leadership experiences that showed I would be a worthy asset. While the journey was difficult, it made my college career so much more fulfilling to know that I was selected for a reason. Since I am a rising senior, job applications are still very daunting for me, but the reminder of how I overcame this challenge gives me confidence in my own skills and abilities.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Since I was young, I have always adored looking back at old photographs. Photography was a way to permanently save a beautiful moment in time and resurrect the happy memories and feelings associated, In college, I dove head first into modeling for photo shoots, a dream I thought was impossible since I did not match traditional beauty standards. After being told numerous times in media and in real life that my height, my Asian features, my acne, my muscular build, and stretch marks deterred me from pursuing the goal. During my college career, I have been featured in Glazezine, Spark Magazine, and Afterglow ATX. Glazezine, Spark Magazine, and Afterglow ATX are fashion and music publications that bring together creative departments spanning from writing, layout, hair and makeup, styling, photography, and modeling. Prior to modeling for these magazines, I had the opportunity to work with freelance photographers, student organizations, and businesses, which helped me to build my portfolio and pass the magazine application process. Photoshoots beyond a creative outlet brought me a lot of personal growth and experience working with teams. What I realized from my photoshoot experience is how I set myself apart is by providing skills beyond just modeling whether that be makeup, hair, styling, creative direction, photo-editing, writing, etc. My one piece of advice for creatives is to develop your craft but don’t be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone and develop new skills. Maybe that could be competing as a pageant contestant, entering a freestyle dance battle, or working as a makeup artist for a short film. Whatever it may be… Go for it and don’t let fear and anxiety hold you back!
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
During Covid-19, my mental health took a toll as I am sure many others have. The underlying issues I never dealt with was suddenly risen above the surface, forcing me to address them. What I realized was I was making excuses for not taking care of myself. One excuse was that I am too busy to find a therapist. Another was it will all pass so I should just wait out my isolation period. After trying numerous methods to try to feel better, I became hopeless that nothing will work, which prevented me from seeking help. Without a stable emotional and psychological mindset, my source of motivation to be creative and pursue my passions was dried up. While I am not 100% cured, I hold on to hope that I am one step closer in my journey to recovery. Instead of dwelling on the past, look to the future to make up for whatever previous regrets you may have.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tiffanysun15.weebly.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/tiffanysunnie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TiffanySun2000/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/tiffanysunnie
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCpqZrKyZI3Ps7HG8svR3GrA
- Other: https://tiffanysun.onuniverse.com/
Image Credits
Matthew Le, Lorianne Willett, Tiffany Chung, Kalista Tamez, Jessie Curneal, Yi-Ting Chung
