Customer Spotlight: Tiana Webb-Evans

The first time I met Tiana she asked “Are you a theater major?”

Of course she would think that as many have before… I tend to act out each emotion with more energy that I seem to notice which happily incites a laugh or two in our customers. It brings a smile to my face, and yes I did do theater in high school, so they’re not totally wrong. 

But enough about me… I say this only because this was my first interaction with the incredible Tiana Webb-Evans. She came into the store looking for a gift and left with the perfect present in addition to a sweet little something for herself. After some conversation, I quickly learned that she was a long time friend of Marichelle’s and had been an active part of MEUS since it’s opening back in 2014. We knew then that we had to ask Tiana to be a part of our customer spotlight series. 

A woman of Jamaican-descent, Tiana came to New Jersey from Downtown Brooklyn as so many of us do that now reside in the NJ suburbs. After her first-born, she found her way to Nutley, New Jersey and then later to South Orange for 16 years. There must be something in the water [here] because now we have three [kids]! With her kiddos in college, officially an empty nester, she now lives in Short Hills, and in her own words “defected in a way” no longer living in Mapso. But as long as I can get to Baker Street, I’m still here. 

When I asked Marichelle what Tiana did for work she told me something in PR 🤔 which – could mean a lot of things. Public Relations encompasses so much that I had to know more about what work she does and how it influences her perspective as a part of this community. 

When I first ask her about how her work is connected to the PR industry she says I never really say I work in PR actually. She started her own company, ESP Group, in 2014, a brand consultancy that focuses on mar-comms — or marketing and communications. 

What I really do is strategy. I work on communications and brand strategy across art, design, and architecture. Earlier in my career I was an executive at Phillips Auction House, so really deeply integrated into the capital A capital W Art World. 

At ESP Group, Tiana works with companies, museums, institutions, art galleries and so many other groups on their strategy. Her team has a specialty in art affairs working with interior designers, product companies, architects and so many more. 

We actualize the next step of their business goals to gain visibility and develop an audience. We really tap into each entity of the company’s special values. What is the voice? How do we define it? Who are we talking to? 

I’m really invested in purpose driven work. We’re really not interested in the gloss over. 

Tiana jokingly says in using an industry word her company “amplifies” her clients’ strengths, working towards “broadcasting values” across various platforms. 

Although that’s her speciality, the work comes with many other chances to grow and develop as a person. It grows a space to grow a range of skills, including critical writing and excellent reading habits.  I also write essays; I have a very rigorous social practice that brings my strategic mind to social issues. Tiana is also the founder of Jamaica Art Society, a philanthropic organization. Their mission is to both “preserve Jamaican art history and support contemporary artists and emerging art leaders.” 

My job has taken me to some really amazing places, she explains as I ask her about her favorite part of her job. What I’ve loved is being able to see transformations. Seeing the language or strategy I put together that we’ve mapped out really changes a company or institution, an art fair, bringing a community together… is extremely rewarding. It’s brought me to all types of people and places in the world and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. 

Being a business owner as well as an excellent communicator makes Tiana an irreplaceable part of her community. With both her expertise in strategy and communications, I asked about how she’s found a smaller, more personal community since living in the Jersey suburbs and her time in Mapso. 

Oh wow. I start muttering away about how I know it’s a big question that could go in so many different directions. She responds with, no, it’s a question that really excites me. As soon as our eldest child was able to play a sport, we started meeting people. 

She goes on to talk about the magic that things like soccer and dance lessons bring to parents looking to make connections with other local families. I could tell you without question, this is the best neighborhood in the world, no one can tell me differently. 

Although she’s lived in three different towns in New Jersey and also spent time in New York, she doesn’t see leaving the area at large as an option — it’s ingrained in her soul, personality, and adult life. The fabric of this community has always been rooted in a kind of graciousness and intellectualism, and creativity. There is a common thread in all the diversity that is here — that has been priceless. And this community helped me raise my family, my children.

Tiana shares a few small anecdotes, one of many being a time she reconnected with parents of one her kids’ friends while dining at Lorena’s one evening. She recounts reminiscing over old photos and having a lovely conversation about how their days had been treating them. If you’re raising a family, it’s bar none. That’s the key to the area. It unlocks these relationships that when you’re a young parent, you didn’t expect these people to become your best friends or to become your network. They almost compete with your family because your family members will come visit and be like who are all these people? And you’re like these are the people that are in my day to day life. 

We start to talk about MEUS and its impact on her life too. MEUS and Marichelle and Melissa (she hung out at the shop as much if not more than I did) play a part in that family. It really takes a village. 

Her longstanding and genuine friendship with Marichelle, and the talented jewelry designer Melissa de la Fuente, radiate off her words as she recalls when she realized the essential part they played in her weekly routine. 

I’m gonna tell you a funny story. When MEUS first opened, I was delighted. I bought all my gifts there, and there was always something to explore. 

Working in NYC when MEUS opened, Tiana was used to commuting in and out of the city. About 2017, I closed my office in New York and decided to work from home, just because of what my family’s needs were. 

Despite enjoying the quiet of the suburbs and spending more time with her family, Tiana missed some of the social aspects of being in the city. 

Being in a static space without the opportunity to walk out and grab a coffee or go have lunch with a friend or have a quick meeting, you know the things you do in New York – if you have a frustrating meeting or call or you’re working on something that’s challenging [it’s tough].  What started to happen is that MEUS became my chairs. It’s an old reference for you, but everyone over 40 will understand what I mean. It’s a whole thing. 

MEUS became Tiana’s space outside of both her family space and work space. It offered an environment to blow off steam and be separated from her day to day anxieties. 

That was the route. I would take a break [from work]. I would chit chat with Julie [at the Able Baker] and then I would come [to MEUS] with my coffee and talk to Marichelle and Melissa for at least an hour. [Marichelle] used to have a little couch and we’d sit and just have a blast. And that was my weekly routine. I would be in MEUS once or twice a week. There was always something to buy – it’s a problem. Anyone I love has received a gift from this store at some point over the last decade.

She goes on to describe MEUS’s lasting impact on her routine. There's a concept called the third space where there’s this other space where you gather. Outside of the home, outside or your church — the shop became that space for me. And it’s been that way for a long time. Even though [the new] space is bigger and super chic and it’s gorgeous, luckily the team is still uber welcoming and I still come in here and get in lots of trouble. 

Tiana jokingly says she gets into trouble every time she comes into the shop because she’s so enchanted by the new products. When she walked in today for our interview, she immediately became dazzled by some of our new necklaces. I was in the shop for all of a minute before I bought something!

Although a long-time customer, I challenged her to name a favorite product of hers. I am an everyday oil person. I have been, since she started carrying it. I have always had a gigantic bottle of Mainstay. I have gifted [it so many times] it’s like my love language. But she couldn’t stop there. I love the Sisters body wash. It makes me feel like I’m at a spa, like I’m having a moment.

The various incense also consistently captivate her, saying it created a space of calm and peacefulness for her, especially when she was home all day every day during the pandemic. 

I had to ask about her ring as well, something she purchased a long time again that reminded me of some of our pieces. It’s a gorgeous golden ring that spans the length of three fingers, resembling an eye. It’s simple though, with an oval outline and a golden circle as the pupil. 

This particular piece, I had worn for a shoot and then I was like oh no, I have to buy this. I wear it every single day. I’ve worn it every day for probably the last 5 years.

It’s become such a part of her that she can’t even recollect the designer. It’s so one of a kind she says It’s almost like, I never want [MEUS] to carry this because it’s become my signature ring. 

Tiana and I continued to gab about her experience in MEUS and about its intersections with her work and other interests, but I had to finish our conversation with final thoughts and advice for those interested in welcoming MEUS into their space. 

I think MEUS is a place for discovery. Whether you’re running in a pinch or you have time, it’s literally the best pit stop in the neighborhood. It’s really grounding and centering. Even if you’re not in the market for something there’s something to discover, or contemplate. It’s incredibly welcoming. I would be surprised if anyone walked into this beautiful space and didn’t feel welcomed. 

I’m so grateful I got to speak with Tiana and that she’s been such a vital part of the MEUS community for all these years. If you want to learn more about her work, visit ESP Group’s website here: https://espgroup.global/  You can also learn more about the Jamaica Art Society at their website:https://www.jamaicaartsociety.com/

We’d love to hear about your experiences with MEUS and the greater Maplewood community. Know someone who should be our next feature? Nominate them today! Stay connected with MEUS on social media @meusshop and use #MEUSCustomerFeature to share your stories! 

We hope Tiana’s spotlight encourages you to find a third space outside your home and work that establishes a sense of connection and community in your circle. Who knows, maybe MEUS will become a special space for you too!

Shop small, shop local, shop with love :)

Written By Jade Poli