Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Reynolds.
Tara, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My professional life has been fairly non-traditional and it took many years for me to embrace that instead of hiding it. It has spanned from litigation to positions in the entertainment industry, negotiating film distribution, production, and talent deals, writing and pitching television shows, “coming out” as a jewelry artist, to starting my own businesses as an artist, healer, mediator and coach.
I decided I wanted to be a lawyer when I was around twelve years old and that’s what I did. I started my professional life as a lawyer. I loved so much of it. I have a natural curiosity about people, how things work and how we relate to the world around us – law was a natural fit. After meeting my (now) husband and making the cross-country move from Michigan to California about 13 years ago, many things changed for me. My journey of self-discovery began in earnest.
I spent years trying to find my thing, I loved the entertainment industry, I also loved creating art, and I loved all things spirituality – yoga, meditation, personal development and studying energy healing. Soon I started feeling the desire to reintegrate my legal side, but just didn’t see many opportunities for an energy healing lawyer! However, I’ve been studying and practicing conflict resolution since law school and realized that becoming a mediator and conflict coach would be the perfect way to bring all of the parts of myself into service.
There is a lot more to this story, but the ultimate take away is that we should never settle. If you are being pulled by a force that you just cannot shake, don’t try to shake it. Allow it. Listen to it. That’s the call of your inner being.
The path might not be “typical” or “normal” – your family might not understand and think you’ve fallen off the deep end, your friends might not come along for the ride – but it’s your journey. Not theirs. This is your well-being at stake, your life purpose. Listen to that voice.
Has it been a smooth road?
I’ve most definitely had struggles and challenges along the way and I don’t anticipate those going away! I make it my business, literally, to embrace challenges and conflict. As uncomfortable as it might make us at times, it truly is the only way we can grow and expand our vision and our world. It’s the only way we can evolve. It’s hard to always see that at the moment, but I’ve discovered that the more I trust this, the quicker I see the purpose of the challenges I encounter.
My biggest struggles were internal. Wondering how I could make a business out of what it was I was being called to do – whether I was crazy? What would people think of me? Would it be too odd to be a litigator, turned entertainment lawyer, jewelry making, energy healing mediator?
Over time I learned that I just needed to keep moving, even if the picture hadn’t become crystal clear to me. I had to let go of the stories I was telling myself and trust the journey. I knew I was being called to help my fellow humans embrace and resolve both their internal and external conflicts. I was being called to be a person who helped others feel safe, heard, and validated. I just kept taking baby steps that would get me there, even when I wasn’t sure that they would.
The funny thing is that I’ve actually never been off my path – none of us really are. I became a lawyer because I was drawn to conflict, understanding it, and I saw being a lawyer as being a helper. I’m one of the helpers. I’ve always been – it has just taken different forms over the years.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Tara Reynolds Mediation – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
With degrees in law and business and almost 20 years of conflict resolution, energy, and metaphysical studies, certifications, and coursework, I merge my spiritual and strategic sides in my conflict resolution and healing work. As an attorney-mediator and conflict coach, as well as an intuitive healer and Reiki master, I am greatly influenced by spirituality, consciousness, personal development, and self-discovery.
I offer conflict resolution services to individuals, families, partnerships, and organizations so that my clients can have productive and peaceful relationships. With my unique perspective and offerings, I see myself as a Sherpa of sorts. I help people navigate the conflict in their lives. I have a big metaphorical backpack full of tools to help them do that with ease and grace. I can offer my strategic legal mind as well as conscious perspective, and top it all off with my intuitive healing abilities.
My mission is to help bring mediation to the everyday conflicts, so it’s used more proactively in people’s lives instead of only when the sh@# hits the fan. For example, instead of coming to mediation when you’re about to separate or get divorced, let’s mediate when you start having recurring arguments over money, how you choose to parent your children, or not using dryer sheets (we all know it’s not about the dryer sheets). I don’t want to only help my clients with the big stuff, I want to help them resolve the so-called “little” things. When we can communicate and feel heard and validated on those little things, the bigger things often don’t happen.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Oh my goodness. This beautiful city, I love so many things. Spending the day exploring DTLA with my son, driving up to the mountains, nature and culture alike are accessible in short order at any time. Being able to be in the city or in the mountains or at the beach within 20 minutes to an hour is incredible. Oh, and the food. Everywhere there is amazing and creative food. It’s a magical city.
Literally, the only downside is that driving incredibly short distances can take an inordinate amount of time. Podcasts and audiobooks have become my necessary driving companions.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tarareynolds.com
- Phone: 310-770-4281
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/tarareynoldsdesign
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/tarareynoldsdesign
Image Credit:
BKM Photography, Amber & Honey
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
