VSU Alumnus & TV Star Tiffany Young to Speak at Langdale Lecture April 10th
Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012
Tiffany Young, Valdosta State University alumnus and owner of the Pink Pastry Parlor, will speak next week as part of the Harley Langdale Jr. Lecture Series at Valdosta State University. Her talk titled "From Lemons to Pink Lemonade" will share the insights gained and lessons learned in starting up and running her business.
"Pink Pastry Parlor is an all-pink business – we are a cupcake shop and do over-the-top parties for little girls – so that's the pink lemonade. And then the lemons is because it was hard and I had a lot to overcome to get where I am," Young explained.
"We also have a reality show on TLC Network and the OWN Network entitled "Party at Tiffany's". This is a televised reality show that tells my Lemons to Pink Lemonade story."
Overcoming Adversity
Young opened her business five years ago. However, a break-in and slow response from her insurance company forced her to close just five months later.
"I had to return deposits that customers had put down on parties. It was right at the beginning of the recession so I had to work odd jobs and start saving again," Young said.
Three years ago, Young opened the business again. She now has 16 employees working at her premier cupcake and party destination, which is located on Holcomb Bridge Road in Alpharetta.
Building a Strong Work Ethic and Discipline
Young believes too many people go to college believing they are guaranteed an awesome job when they graduate.
"That's a fantasy. You have to make your own way. I think of college as a platform where I learned about discipline and a strong work ethic," she said.
Upon graduating in 2003, Young worked for five years as a pharmaceutical rep. While her degree was in business marketing, one of her co-workers had a degree in fashion design.
"I wondered what is she doing in this job. But employers just want to see that you can put your mind to something, stick with it and complete it," Young said.
During college, Young earned money by selling insurance door to door. She walked the neighborhood around campus and went to construction sites to sign up workers.
"I made good money and I would think why am I spending this time in school when I could be working. I stayed because my mother and grandmother worked hard to get me there. But now that I'm a business owner, all the classes I thought I would never use… that's the stuff I use twice a day," Young said.
A Real-World Message
Young is excited about sharing her story with students, faculty and staff at Valdosta State. She attended many Langdale lectures as a student.
"I loved hearing about real careers and the struggles people went through to get to where they are," she said.
And she is looking forward to delivering the same type of message in her "From Lemons to Pink Lemonade" lecture next week. This lecture is free and open to the public.
When & Where: Tuesday, April 10th at 5:00 P.M. in the Pound Hall Auditorium.
Pound Hall is located at the VSU Rea & Lillian Steele North Campus bordered by Patterson and Ashley Streets, as well as Pendleton Drive. Guest parking is available in the temporary lot near Pound Hall. For more information, call the Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration at 229-333-5991.
