How One Side Hustle Sparked Tianna Faye Soto’s Purpose-Driven Business

Some people spend years searching for entrepreneurship. For Tianna Faye Soto, entrepreneurship had other plans—it found her first.

Although Tianna had always been drawn to health, wellness, and human connection, she wasn’t entirely sure what shape that passion would take professionally. After college, she began building a career in journalism and editing. But along the way, an unexpected opportunity kept appearing: invitations to speak.

What began as occasional speaking engagements soon revealed something much bigger. Tianna discovered she felt deeply energized by connecting with people from stages of all sizes—sharing stories, sparking reflection, and creating meaningful moments of connection. What started as a side hustle gradually evolved into the vision behind the business she leads today: Stories With Heart.

Now, Tianna is a full-time keynote speaker and facilitator partnering with college students, corporations, and community organizations around topics like leadership, creativity, empowerment, and authentic storytelling. Keep reading to learn more about her unexpected path and the heart-centered mission guiding her work today.

In what ways have your upbringing or past experiences contributed to how you operate as a leader?

I come from a beautiful mixed family of Puerto Rican and Jamaican-Chinese heritage. Diversity and storytelling themes are woven into everything I do. 

Even though I wasn't sure exactly what it would look like, I always put a lot of pressure on myself to carve out a successful path for myself when I was growing up—and I'm one of the first in my family lineage to graduate from college. Because of my first-generation student background, I naturally learned to be curious and resourceful, ask a lot of questions, network intentionally, and find mentors early on. I'm resilient, persistent, and have taken a lot of risks in my career, trusting myself to take the first step even when I couldn’t see the whole staircase. 

My family taught me to work hard, believe in myself, be courageous, and not shrink for anyone. They also instilled in me a love for supporting and uplifting others, which guides everything I do today.

What’s been the hardest and most rewarding part of your professional journey?

The hardest part of being an entrepreneur is that it can be isolating. You're often working hard on your own and fueling your own motivation—and, in a way, you constantly feel solely responsible for your own success. You are directing and running your own show, which is incredibly exciting, but can also be tiring. 

The funny thing is that I think this is the most rewarding part of entrepreneurship, too! When you accomplish something, receive amazing feedback from a client, or celebrate a big win, you're also celebrating yourself. It's a powerful and surreal feeling when you realize that the hard work you're putting into your vision is paying off in real time. 

Have you ever felt like you were “different?” If yes, in what ways has this contributed to your journey as an entrepreneur? 

I’ve always felt different in that I never envisioned myself in just one single career path or job. From a young age, I’d dream about creating something of my own, and I fully believed it could be possible. Looking back, I see that was probably the beginning of my entrepreneurial mindset. 

Over the years, I’ve taken a somewhat non-traditional path and pursued many industries. I earned degrees in psychology, conducted research, studied spirit-mind-body practices, performed in musical theater in NYC, became a certified yoga instructor, and more. I later pivoted into journalism, working as a writer and editor for some of my dream publications. Now, I run my own speaking business, where I bring all these passions together to educate, inspire, and support people on a larger scale.

I still feel different from a lot of my friends, family members, and peers in that my path has been non-linear and multidisciplinary, but entrepreneurship has allowed me to integrate everything I love without forcing myself into a single mold.

Have you discovered any underappreciated leadership traits or misconceptions about leadership?

In my opinion, the most important traits for a leader are humility, patience, adaptability, and self-reflection. I also believe that leadership isn't about you, but about the people you serve. If you can be humble and patient, commit to being the best version of yourself, stay open-minded and adaptable, and remember that your role is to serve others first, you'll probably be in a good place. A lot of people think they have to be loud or in the spotlight to make a difference, but that’s not the case. Simply leading by example can be tremendously powerful.

What would you tell your younger self if you were to start your professional journey all over again?

You can do it! Don't be afraid. Trust yourself, ask for help early, and dream big about the possibilities for your future. Know your worth, raise your rates, and surround yourself with people who want to see you win. This journey is amazing and goes by really, really fast, so take time to genuinely celebrate your wins. You'll be glad you did. 

How would you describe the journey you’ve had in a few sentences? And would you do it all over again?

Impactful, thrilling, emotional, adventurous, wild, and full of surprises. It's been a winding road but an exciting one that I wouldn't trade for anything. I learn new things about myself and others every day, and I'm always committed to getting better and better. This has been an incredible journey so far, and yes, I'd absolutely do it again and again.