In this blog post, I’m excited to share my experience of interviewing the owner of Curvy Closet, Tayna. This interview allowed me to delve into Tanya’s world and talk about entrepreneurship, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of running a business that promotes self-confidence and inclusivity. But, as with many journeys, preparing and delivering this presentation had its fair share of obstacles.
Preparing for the Interview: A Bumpy Start
My journey began with preparation for the interview, which turned out to be a lot more challenging than I initially anticipated. I was really excited to interview Tayna, but life had other plans for me. Just a few days before the scheduled interview, I fell sick, and to make matters worse, I lost my voice. Naturally, I had to reschedule, which made me anxious about the impending deadline.
As I laid in bed recovering, I used the time to revisit the guest lectures with Kate, to gain a better understanding of the type of questions I should be asking Tayna. This was crucial in preparing a thoughtful and engaging set of questions that would not only provide valuable insights to my audience but also resonate with Curvy Closet’s mission.
The Stressful Interview Day
Finally, the day of the interview arrived. Before I started with my questions, I explained to Tanya about me using this interview for my BCM313 presentation and got verbal consent from Tanya for this to be used. There was a big obstacle to filming the interview, as Curvy Closet was still open for business. This meant we had to be quick when filming, as customers kept coming in and out of the store. The hustle around us added an unexpected layer of complexity to the interview process. Balancing the need for a quiet and distraction-free environment with the demands of a busy shop was a challenge that put my organisational skills to the test.
Despite our best efforts, the initial recording on my phone had some technical issues. The audio was patchy and inconsistent, making it impossible to use for the final presentation. This led to a decision that was not part of my original plan – we needed to re-film the interview. The setback was disappointing and frustrating, but I was determined to make the most of the second chance.
After concluding the interview and reflecting on Tanya’s responses, it became evident to me that her approach resonated significantly with the concept of the “absent but implicit theory” (Freedman, 2012) that we’ve explored in our class discussions. During our conversation, Tanya and I discussed her role as a problem solver and, at times, as a therapist for her clients. She shared how she values actively listening to her customers and engaging in conversations about her own experiences and personal values. Tanya believes that this approach fosters a sense of importance and appreciation in her clients, as they recognise someone genuinely attentive to their thoughts and feelings, creating a mutual exchange of understanding and support.
Delivering the Presentation: A Leap of Faith
The ordeal of preparing and conducting the interview was behind me, but I faced another hurdle: the fear of public speaking. I’ve never been a confident public speaker, and this realisation led me to a difficult choice. Rather than presenting the interview live, I decided to create a video where I could carefully script and edit my content to ensure it was clear and concise.
This decision allowed me to focus on delivering my message effectively without the anxiety of public speaking. It might not have been the traditional way to present, but it aligned with my values of producing high-quality content that truly represented the essence of the interview.
When standing up and delivering my presentation, I was very proud of what I accomplished and proud to show the person that I worked with. Everybody loved Tanya, and I loved discussing with Wren some details about the interview that didn’t make it into the presentation. When we were discussing, Wren made me realise there was a lot of theory that relates to Arthur Frank and also outsider witness theory. I was very proud of the interview that I did, and I also gained a lot of knowledge from interviewing Tanya.
The Influence of My Values
Throughout this journey, my values played a role in shaping my response to the challenges that arose. The commitment to delivering meaningful content and representing Curvy Closet in the best way possible pushed me to overcome obstacles.
I learned the importance of flexibility and resilience in the face of unexpected setbacks, which resonated with Tayna’s entrepreneurial journey. Tayna’s dedication to promoting body positivity and inclusivity mirrored my own values of empowerment and acceptance, inspiring me to deliver a presentation that did justice to her story and the mission of Curvy Closet.
In conclusion, my interview with Tayna, the owner of Curvy Closet, was not without its share of difficulties, but these challenges allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. They pushed me to adapt, to think creatively, and to stay true to my values. The experience served as a reminder that even when faced with adversity, a commitment to one’s values can lead to success and personal growth.
References:
Freedman, J 2012, Explorations of the Absent but Implicit, The International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work. No.4, pp. 1-10.