How I Overcame Fear to Turn My Creative Passion into a Book-Writing Business - Toussaint Derby (Ep 28)

Unlock the power of reinvention with Toussaint Derby, a woman who transformed her creative passions into multiple thriving careers — from fashion and interior design to becoming a published author. In this episode, Toussaint shares the unexpected twists that led her to embrace her true calling and the unwavering mindset that keeps her pushing boundaries. You'll discover how she navigated career pivots rooted in self-awareness, honesty, and a love for storytelling. We break down her process of turning reading bingeing into writing a published romance novel, including the exact steps she took to self-publish on a whim and build a community around Black romance. Toussaint also reveals her secret to maintaining excellence — rooted in kindness and respect, not perfection — and why her relationship with her father instilled unshakable confidence and standards that guide her today. Perfect for aspiring authors, creative entrepreneurs, or anyone contemplating a life reset, Toussaint’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, authenticity, and the magic of following your true north. Tune in to learn how she manifested her dream of writing a book, and why you should start that project you keep putting off — because now is the time to build the life you really want.---------About Toussaint Derby:Toussaint Derby is a creative professional from Shaker Heights, Ohio, and the youngest child of educators. A lifelong reader with a love for fashion and design, she studied at Florida A&M University and earned her graphic design degree from Cleveland State University. After a career in luxury fashion, she transitioned into interior design in 2017. Her rediscovery of fiction—particularly Black romance—led her to publish her debut novel, Until Forever Finds Us, available now on Amazon.Connect with Toussaint:Toussaint's new book is being sold on Amazon, “Until Forever Finds Us” https://a.co/d/3zkPF9hAbout Tiffany C. Nelson:Tiffany C. Nelson is a dynamic voice for midlife reinvention. An ICF-Certified Executive Life Coach and former HR and IDEA leader at iconic brands like Tiffany & Co., United Airlines, United Airlines and The MET, she brings over a decade of experience transforming leadership identity, presence, and power. Tiffany's signature BRILLIANT Method helps women and teams rebuild after divorce, burnout, career shifts, or personal loss - and reclaim the confidence to lead boldly in their next era. With a presence that is classic, rebellious, and luxurious, Tiffany blends executive strategy with emotional intelligence and next-level clarity.Connect with Tiffany:www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-nelson/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tn-framework/ https://www.tnframework.com/ https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f5db1ef5-d5a6-4c9d-9f6b-84a4d77d510e/talks-with-tiffany https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talks-with-tiffany/id1831393383 https://www.instagram.com/iamtiffanycnelson https://www.tiktok.com/@tiftalks ---------Intro/Outro Music:Licensor's Username:https://pixabay.com/users/music_for_videos-26992513/Licensee:TNFrameworkAudio File Title:Lounge R&B PianoAudio File URL:https://pixabay.com/music/rnb-lounge-rampb-piano-166431/Audio File ID:166431Date of download:2025-07-16 22:23:16 UTCPixabay, a Canva Germany GmbH brandPappelallee 78/7910437 BerlinGermanyPixabay is a user-contributed stock content website.