Meet Teri Webb Aka TLWisdom | Writer, Photographer and Digital Marketing Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Teri Webb Aka TLWisdom and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Teri Webb, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I went to school and got my degree, because that’s what you did if you hoped to be successful. After college, I’ve managed several different businesses, successfully. I put all my energy and efforts, into each business, as if they were my own… putting in the time and dedication that was needed. And, in the end, it always led to being laid off by each company.

I did my art creations, as a hobby, and when I had the time. I began by writing a blog, back when they were more popular, with my work. I enjoy writing thought provoking words of wisdom, an occasional short story, poems, and my favorite became inspirational and deep sided six word stories. After more time, I began incorporating my own creative digitally-filtered photos with my words.

This became something I was and am very passionate about. Encourage by my family and friends, I began posting my work on Facebook and Instagram. But, still having to *Adult*, it always took a backseat.

Over a year and a half ago, I was laid-off, again. This one hit me hard… financially and emotionally! I ended up having to sell my home. This was a place I called home for 18yrs. I raised my son there. I kept it through an immediate ‘divorce’ right after moving in, and I survived four other layoffs prior to this one. Another key factor added to the heartache of losing my home, outside of the obvious of losing my home I raised my family in, is while growing up I had gone to over 30 schools from kindergarten to high school. So, keeping my home was always so important to me for a sense of stability, security and, not to mention, accomplishment.

It was, at that point, when having to make that decision to sell and lose my home, I decided, with all of the energy I put into all of these other business… it was time to put that same energy into MY OWN business, for me, and do what I love doing… my art!

I was lovingly coached and advised, by some family and friends, to get a ‘real’ job. I know, this was out of concern for by wellbeing. But, despite their push to continue to keep doing my art on the side, I knew, it was, finally, time to put the same energy and efforts into what I truly wanted to do, for me! This way, if I didn’t succeed, it wouldn’t have been because I never really gave it a real chance!

I love what I do, AND I love the art I produce! I LOVE the impact, I believe, it has on others, and the dream I have of gifting it to all those it touches.

So, this is where my energy is going, now, succeed or fail… I will give it all that I am capable of each and everyday.

Stating a few Six Word Stories that keep me going… in a special story order:

‘Don’t let your fear… stop you’

Because…
‘Your fear will tell you lies’

And, whenever you can…
‘Step out of your comfort zone’

When you do, by all means…
‘Get out of your own way’

Then…
‘You should just go for it’

Knowing…
‘You’re going to do great things’

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have taken Ernest Hemingway’s challenge to do a story in six words, “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”, and have taken on the challenge myself. My six word stories are a mix of love, hope, inspiration and, sometimes, even on the deeper side of life. I have incorporated my art with the love of digital filtering photos and making them truly my own. Then, finishing the visual combination by infusing the two together, for a perfect match, for my art. When I need more than six words, I do the same for my poems.

I have created an art book that I published: A Story in Just Six Words, Volume One. There will be other volumes in the future.

The special part of these six word stories (SWSs), now, is the #WisdomTravels (#WTs) project which has others leaving SWSs magnets around the world for others to find them… to help inspire, give hope, maybe be an answer to a prayer and to even remind them they are not alone in their sadness. I have a Facebook (FB) Group and a small team of helpers who help with this. The magnets are free to anyone who wants to join #WTs. My team and I put the magnets together ourselves and get them mailed off to those who want to join us and be apart of our mission. The #WTs FB Group is a place where those who leave magnets can post a picture of the magnet and let us know where they left them. And, in turn, those who find them, also have a place to post a picture when they have found them.

I have been told, many times, by those who leave them to be found, they get just a much enjoyment and reward with leaving them to be found, as we hope, we give to those when they are found. There have been many special posts from those who have found them letting us know the important impact the magnet they found had on them. So, with that in mind, I decided to do and sell Visions of Wisdom’s #WisdomTravels calendars every year with pictures of the posted SWS magnet placements and finds.

This has been quite the journey and is still a work in progress… with love, support and encouragement of family and friends, I, now, have a website… visionsofwisdom.com. So, for those who are drawn to any particular piece, or pieces, of my work, they are able to get a print and/or merchandise to hang in their home or office, to wear or display what speaks to them.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Central California, so I’m about two hours away from any desired adventure… the beach, the mountains, a big city, amusement parks and plenty of art and entertainment events. Of course, I would find out what they were interested in doing and go from there. With a week of fun, we would be able to do several different exciting things! And, of course, we would include a stack of #WisdomTravels magnets to take with us and have some fun with that, too.

If the opportunity presented itself, I would include a trip to the beach. The beach is a magical place, for me. It gives my soul tranquility and inspiration. It takes me to such a deep place of love of life…

*close your eyes*

For this moment …just stop …be still …smell the salt in the air …feel the sand between your toes …breath in the wind that gently touches your skin and blows through your hair …fly with the seagulls that freely sore over head …hear the waves crashing down making its special music that can’t be duplicated.

This is the magic you share…

Here, Bestie… ‘take my hand and join me’

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Special thanks to so very many!

…to so many of my family who continue to support and believe in me, inspire me, give me strength and never let me give up. Especially, my biggest *cheerleaders* Gina, Landyn, Aaron, Monica, Ryan, Nicole and Hill

…my team with WisdomTravels, Amy, Laura, Annie, who are at my side with love and support of the WTs project, and to so many more who help to spread the love, hope and inspiration in their hometown and around the world

…my mom for “Wisdom” in so many ways including her maiden name that fits so well with my dream. This is why my art signature is TLWisdom

…for those who who re-lit the match for my passion with words and gave me direction by putting a camera back in my hands

…my COSA gals that helped open doors and pushed for me to get started

…family and friends who show their love by honoring my passion with a Six Word Story tattoo…

…the gift from Sheila and Cher who helped mend the broken pieces and saw in me what I was unable to see

Truly…
‘The little things aren’t so little’

Website: https://visionsofwisdom.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visions_of_wisdom/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TLWisdom

Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2309403282709478

https://writing-in-a-webb-of-wisdom.blogspot.com/?m=0.