Tina Porter is an exceptional entrepreneur. Not because she’s a million-dollar CEO, but because she’s a small business owner with BIG heart. Watching her give to so many charities, start social media campaigns and movements and do everything in her being to give back to others, she’s worthy of having her story told. Overcoming SO many hardships in her life, including bullying, she has never let any of her past experiences harden her heart. She is a true inspiration. As the owner of The Bubblery, she has used her handmade bath and body products as a means to give back and do good in this world.
Her recently launched skincare collection, Choose Love, is proof of her heart. The Choose Love skin care line is in honor of Sam, a beautiful young lady that was very close to her. She took her own life last year at the age of 14 as a result of bullying. A percent of this line will be donated to the Samantha Anders Legacy Fund which is a non profit that helps with anti-bullying and suicide prevention.
She says, “These products were designed to make a difference. I hope that it makes people think. I hope that when someone picks up the lip balm and it says be strong, and they’re having a really bad day it helps them remember that they are strong. I’m choosing to make a difference and so can you.”
What do you see when you look in the mirror?
I see a mom, a woman business owner. I see someone that is strong and full of willpower. Someone that was literally born to make a difference. I also see fear and self-doubt that I push away every single day.
What do you do for a living?
I own my own own soap store that is my ministry. My place in the world that gives me the chance to spread love and boost the confidence of others from the inside as well as the outside. I also currently work full time with an agency caring for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health challenges.
How do you think self-love plays a role in success?
You have to be confident and believe in yourself. You need to know that you are a somebody. I often have to recenter and remind myself that God loves me and I am worthy. Believing that you matter allows you to understand that you deserve to be successful.
How do you think we, as women, can work together to lift each other?
First , we need to love one another. We need to have a drive to help one another. Instead of being jealous, petty or spiteful about another woman’s success we should encourage and offer to help each other. Being a woman in business can be tough. When you see someone succeeding it is because she most likely worked her butt off and put her blood, sweat and tears into her business. Networking and giving each other advice is the only way to be. As a woman that owns a soap/ skincare company, which is a super competitive world, I will always support other women in this field. I will even purchase their products because I know how hard it is to succeed.
Have you had any adversities that you’ve had to overcome in order to achieve success?
I have had a few but two that really stand out it being bullied as a child and fighting anxiety and depression. If you had seen what I looked like as a child with my buck teeth and coke bottle glasses you might cringe. (True story. lol) I was super skinny and that left me as the perfect target to bullies. I remember how I just wanted to fit in. I wanted to be like the popular girls that everyone liked. Some kids might be hit by bullies but from my point of view, bullying for girls is so different. I’m so thankful social media did not exist in my teen life. I can remember never feeling like I belonged anywhere. I didn’t have a best friend. I was like a fish all alone in an ocean of sharks. I would often over-hear people talking about me. I was never invited to things and felt not good enough. Even as a young adult other adults often criticized how skinny I was. They would call me anorexic and ask me why I don’t eat. Believe me I ate. Unfortunately when you face these issues growing up it can have a life-long lasting effect on your self esteem and cause you to feel like your not good enough. Having anxiety and depression often intensifies these feelings. I remind my self daily that I MATTER. If I’m in a situation and feel like maybe I don’t belong, I just say a little prayer and remind myself that I’m important. I’m lucky to now have some of the greatest friends I could ever ask for. If I ever forget that I’m important, they remind me. If I’m having a bad day it’s like they feel it and I will get a wellness check.
What has been your greatest accomplishment to date?
My kids and definitely my shop. Sometimes in the morning I walk inside and look around…..I say to myself, This is mine, my very own place to help change the world. I’m so blessed.
What inspires you to keep growing?
My kids are my number one inspiration. I want them to see that you can do anything you put your mind to, you have the ability to make your dreams come true.
