Life & Work with Tatjana Doughty

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tatjana Doughty.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a follower of my savior Jesus Christ, mother, leader, model, business owner and now a new & upcoming California Real Estate Agent. I am Tatjana aka Tati! Growing up, It all started when I was 12 and constantly made fun of for being very thin and taller than everyone else. Until one day I decided to own the body God gave me, changed my mindset and pursue my goal of becoming a model.

I have done just that. I can humbly say that I have walked in NYFW, been published in various magazines, billboards, etc. However, as I grew older and matured so did my interest for other things the world had to offer. I do not have it all together but one day at a time, I am slowly making progress at becoming who I have always been called to be. I am originally from the DMV area(D.C, Maryland, Virginia) Lived in PG County majority of my life until about 2 years ago. God told me to move to California. No family out here, no support system, no set plans. I never had plans to move to the West Coast, it’s never been a desire of mine. I know it’s LA and it’s everybody’s dream to live here but that was never my dream. Over the pandemic, I visited Santa Barbara and fell in love! I made jokes about staying and moving because of how beautiful it was but knew there was no way I could actually leave home, my family, my friends. Maryland was all I knew. I had been saving up to buy a house. I told myself that by my son’s 8th birthday, I would be in a new home.

I imagined being in a big 3-level home, nice backyard, lots of space and overall just something I could call mine. I was set on this goal and determined to make it happen. Isaiah 58:8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the Lord and my ways are far beyond anything you can imagine” and that was the truth! I made the biggest, scariest decision of my life. No major planning, no big announcement, packed my things and moved to California. I had no idea my new home would be on the other side of the country. In a city I am super unfamiliar with, barely knew anyone, and to be honest didn’t even want to be in. (My first time to Cali, I was not feeling LA, however I did love Santa Barbara with all the retired folks lol) but GOD. He said go and I came. Ever since I have been here, I have experienced a level of peace that I’ve never experienced before. Never would have imagined some of the opportunities or blessings I’ve been given and overall just really have been able to discover myself. I’m here to stay, I am growing, I have matured and I am excited about the amazing things that are in store not just for me but for my family as well!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has certainly not been a smooth road. I am a family person. I love people. I love helping those I can. Again, I absolutely love my family. Anytime they needed me, I am there. Whatever they need, I am going to find a way or make it happen. Even when it wasn’t my responsibility, I somehow made it mine. My mother’s health had become challenging over the last few years and I was taking care of her. Although I have other siblings, my mom and dad were still married, her health, her well-being, taking care of her was on me. The last months of me being in Maryland my dad did step in and took on the responsibility of taking care of my mother and being a better husband. Even with him stepping in, I still played a big role so deciding to make the move to LA was extremely hard for me. I didn’t want my mom to feel like I was abandoning her or that I didn’t care. So to up and leave my family especially my mother was tough. With all that, I still decided to make the faith move, be obedient and trust God. Originally, I was going to stay with who at the time was a friend of mine in Santa Barbara. She played a big part in my move more so because I had a place to stay and a friend who could help me get settled in. I consider myself an independent person so to agree to stay with her was not an easy decision for me. From the moment I landed in LA I had every obstacle thrown at me that said you do not belong here, you made a big mistake, go home.

From my “friend” deciding to say “this actually isn’t going to work, you cant stay with me, please don’t come (after constant reassurance to come) being left alone, not knowing where I would stay, worrying about my mom just everything. I’m telling you I hadn’t even got off the plane and I had already regretted making the move. I remember the first three days here I cried, I was heartbroken I felt betrayed. I knew I heard God and I knew I was supposed to be here. How could a friend make me feel comfortable enough to pack my things and move to a new city knowing I don’t have anyone else just switch up on me and leave me hanging. How could God allow this to happen when He gave me the confirmation to be here. It made no sense but in the midst of the pain, I still decided to trust him. I got myself together, wiped the tears and said because all of this is happening because it would be easier to just go back home and continue the life I was already living because my circumstance looked like it was not working out, I got the revelation that this is exactly where I need to be and because my situation says I shouldn’t be here is the very reason why I should. Not knowing the why or the outcome but knowing it was bigger than I could imagine just because of all that was taking place. I scheduled appointments to look at apartments in LA although my original plan was to be in Santa Baraba. The first place I looked into, I applied, got approved, got my move-in date and have been enjoying LA ever since.

After almost two years now in LA, my family is back together, I have the support I need, my family – son and his father are all signed with a talent agency which has been amazing working together as a family, got my first government contract under my business and just recently got my real estate license. I could go on and on but God is faithful. Looking back although I endured some pain I’m grateful for all that happened and how it happened. I learned I was never supposed to be in Santa Barbara, I was never supposed to live with the friend, She was just the doorway to get me to California. Needless to say, I am where I am supposed to be and enjoying every part of the process. It definitely gets challenging but I’ve learned to embrace the challenges and still count it all joy because the good days, the bad days, it’s all a part of the process.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
With the tools I’ve gained with my modeling career, I coach inspiring models. I teach a variety of skills that include runway walk, posing skills, and personal image development which gives the ability and confidence on how to navigate in the modeling industry. I am currently managing my nine-year-old son Zion Isaiah’s acting career which also allows me to give guidance to other parents looking to get their kid(s) modeling/acting career started. I am most proud of my Momager role. My son is my everything! I absolutely love to see him flourishing and honestly already accomplishing more than I have within the few months of him just getting started. To do what I love with my son/my family has been such a joy. In this industry, I’ve faced a lot of challenges but with all of what I’ve learned, It has helped me become a guide to those around me.

What are your plans for the future?
In the future, I look forward to my new career path as a Real Estate Agent. It’s still very new to me but I know that I am capable and I am super excited about this journey. I’ve learned anything I set my mind to do, I CAN DO!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tatjana.christina?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christina.love.96

Image Credits
PHOTO CREDITS- Darius Church @ddotchurch Ian Temple Scott Sapp Grace
Felecia Gray @ bthartistry