What's Your Story with Jaime & Stan

What’s your story, Tya Barker? From paralegal to paintbrush, creating joy through art

Episode Summary

In this vibrant and inspiring episode, we meet Tya Barker, founder of Pink Ocean Brand, who transformed her life from the courtroom to the canvas. Once a successful paralegal, Tya's journey into entrepreneurship began when her daughter’s eczema sparked a passion for making natural soap. But her creativity didn’t stop there what started as crafting colorful soap dishes evolved into a full-fledged art career that’s now catching the attention of collectors, galleries, and art lovers across Florida. Tya’s story is one of reinvention, driven by love, resilience, and the courage to say yes to her creative calling. Through her business, her bold artwork, and her empowering energy, Tya reminds us that it’s never too late to follow your inner voice and build a life that brings you joy.

Episode Notes

In this vibrant and inspiring episode, we meet Tya Barker, founder of Pink Ocean Brand, who transformed her life from the courtroom to the canvas. Once a successful paralegal, Tya's journey into entrepreneurship began when her daughter’s eczema sparked a passion for making natural soap. But her creativity didn’t stop there what started as crafting colorful soap dishes evolved into a full-fledged art career that’s now catching the attention of collectors, galleries, and art lovers across Florida.

Tya’s story is one of reinvention, driven by love, resilience, and the courage to say yes to her creative calling. Through her business, her bold artwork, and her empowering energy, Tya reminds us that it’s never too late to follow your inner voice and build a life that brings you joy.

Key topics discussed

How soap led to art

• Tya began crafting natural soap to help her daughter’s eczema, launching Pink Ocean Brand after a life-changing encounter with a pediatrician.
• Her customers loved the handmade soap dishes so much, they started hanging them up launching her unexpected path into painting and fine art.

Reinventing after the legal world

• After nearly two decades in law, including time at firms like Morgan & Morgan, Tya walked away from the courtroom and embraced her new passion.
• She shares how leaving behind the pressure and expectations of law allowed her to reconnect with joy, family, and freedom.
   

Art that heals and uplifts

• Tya’s colorful, abstract paintings reflect the same energy she brings to life; bold, bright, and deeply personal.
• From selling soap at markets to showing in juried art exhibitions, her art is now being collected and celebrated across Florida.

Family, balance, and building a brand

• How Tya and her husband run their business as a team, juggling parenthood, pop-up markets, and custom art commissions.
• Her daughter is already following in her footsteps, painting and creating with her mom as inspiration.

Self-care and mental reset

• Tya’s daily rituals include yoga, dancing, and mornings by the water to reset and stay grounded.
• She opens up about learning to care less about others’ opinions and more about how she feels, a powerful shift that changed everything.
  
   

Memorable quotes

“We don’t focus on what they can’t do; we adapt to help them do anything they dream of.” – Tia Barker
“Life will go on and it’ll be okay. Don’t take it so seriously.” – Tia Barker
“Once you connect to that creative force, the ideas come nonstop.” – Tia Barker
“I smile way more now than when I was in courtrooms.” – Tia Barker

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Where to listen & watch:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/MZ5rQx2Ld4Y
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/mtkxjcez
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/yhkw24v7
Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/2hnfynpm

Connect with Tya:
Website: https://pinkoceanbrand.com
Etsy: Pink Ocean Brand on Etsy
TikTok: @ilovepinkoceanbrandn

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