We had the good fortune of connecting with Tiffany Richards and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiffany, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I once gave a presentation for a business association titled, “How I Lied My Way into Owning a Corporate Wellness Company.” It wasn’t a joke. Upon my return to Phoenix after a tour with Cirque du Soleil as their massage therapist, I knew that I wanted to remain in the health & wellness industry. I created a little chair massage firm and named it The Back Rub Company. Shortly after, I received a call from one of our clients, a worker’s compensation company, who had just lost their yoga instructor.

“I know you provide the chair massage services for our company,” said the Director of HR. “But I’m wondering if you offer on-site yoga as well?”

“Absolutely!” I exclaimed. We didn’t. I sure sounded confident though. I told them that we’d have our (nonexistent) yoga instructor there to take over classes the following week, hung up the phone and wondered how I was going to pull this off.

The next day, I reached out to local yoga studios and teacher training programs and scheduled an open casting call. Thirty instructors showed up. I hired five. And so began our Corporate Fitness Class division.

From cooking classes to stress management programs to self-defense seminars, every single offering has come from saying ‘yes’ and figuring out how to do it. We are now one of the largest corporate wellness firms in the U.S. who serves thousands of clients in hundreds of industries…all from a little white lie.

Being an entrepreneur is about 10-percent skill and 90-percent guts. You must be willing to step outside of your comfort zone and take risks. You must want to be more than ‘normal.’ “Ordinary” or “industry standard” is just that and doesn’t lead to success. Instinct, desire, passion, flexibility, drive, attitude, self-motivation far out-rank technical skill. The skill stuff comes with practice.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’ve always had a knack for taking ideas I’m passionate about and turning them into successful businesses. I founded The Back Rub Company on account of my love for massage therapy and holistic health; co-founded Peaceful Warrior Martial Arts in Scottsdale because I’ve been training in the martial arts for 25 years and there’s no better way than to spend each day in a dojo; founded Peaceful Warrior Woman, a nationally recognized resource for personal safety and self-defense, as a consequence of surviving domestic abuse and assault in my 20’s and I swore I’d help as many women as possible not to be victims; founder of Days Out Adventures due to my love of travel and exploring new places; publicist, media guru and small business consultant, as I want others to realize their own visions and succeed!
My companies have all been created from a vision, self-publicized and self-funded. I’ve taken many of my organizations from zero to six-figures in less than a year. My expertise in public relations has made my personal brand one that is a go-to for local and national media outlets.

I have a no-nonsense attitude and recognize what is possible. I understand how BOTH the ebbs and flows of business can motivate instead of hinder, and I figure out ways to create new opportunities every day.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There’s no way any of my friends would come visit for an entire week. Haven’t we all heard of overstaying a welcome? But a great weekend would start out with morning coffee and a New Mexico burrito at 32 Shea, followed by a visit to the farmer’s market at Roadrunner Park and a not-too-crazy hike in the Phoenix Mountain Preserves. Afterwards, we’d browse a few local thrift shops for treasures we can’t live without. I like White Dove, HALO, Thrift to Thrive, Maggie’s and Tranquility Treasures. Next, on to the foot spa to enjoy the 60-minute combo massage…amazing! And we’d finish the day with a homemade meal, game of darts and a funny movie.

The next day would be a four-wheeling and hiking adventure. My favorite spots to explore are the Payson, Pine and Strawberry area, followed by an ice-cold beer at That Brewery. I also love driving over Four Peaks and coming back to the valley through Globe. It makes for a fun road trip with a mix of off-roading, smooth asphalt and some scenic stops along the way. My all-time favorite is The Apache Trail, a 40-mile trek out near Roosevelt Lake that weaves through the Superstition Mountains. The road has been closed for years due to damage from a flash flood, but word is they are restoring it and when the project is complete, the road ends in Tortilla Flat, the last surviving stagecoach stop. I love saddling up to the bar…literally – the bar has saddles for seats. My order never changes: the El Mesquite Rueben and a glass of Mule Oil.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I know this sounds cliché, but my parents deserve a huge shoutout. They’ve been entrepreneurs my entire life. I’ve watched them open businesses, close businesses, struggle, flourish, suffer misfortune, celebrate wins and everything in between.

They’ve always supported my ideas, offered advice and encouraged unconventional paths. Thanks to my mom and dad, I was able, and continue to, embark upon a journey that many people only dream of.

Website: https://www.thebackrubcompany.com/ AND https://peacefulwarriorphx.com/ AND https://peacefulwarriorwoman.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebackrubco/ AND https://www.instagram.com/peacefulwarriorphx/ AND https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_warrior_woman/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebackrubco AND https://www.facebook.com/peacefulwarriorphx/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ScottsdaleAZKarate

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.