Tiffany Slowinski is an Executive Advisor and Co-Owner of three successful franchises, specializing in talent management, culture alignment, and performance coaching. With a Master's degree in Psychology from Columbia University, she brings a unique perspective to business, emphasizing the human element of success. At Team Spark Advisors, Tiffany and her team focus on hiring, retaining, and empowering top performers through strategic talent alignment. Using a proven 3-step approach—Assess, Plan, Execute—and leveraging her expertise as a licensed Culture Index professional, Tiffany crafts tailored strategies that enhance communication, productivity, and employee satisfaction.
Tell us about yourself. What makes you, uniquely you? Can you tell me a bit about your background, your hobbies, and your human experience?
I’ve always been someone who thrives on connection and understanding people. I’m a mom to four energetic daughters who definitely keep me on my toes! Whether we're traveling, attending sports games, or just grabbing a bite together, family life is always an adventure. I’ve also been a spin class devotee for 24 years, and in between work and family, I make time for shopping, catching up with friends over wine, and a good vacation when I can squeeze it in. People who follow me on social media are constantly asking me, “Are you really away AGAIN?” But it is something I value, so I make time for getaways. I guess you could say what makes me 'me' is this balance of nurturing others, growing alongside my ventures, and finding joy in the busy, beautiful chaos of it all.
I would like to hear your business inception story. This podcast is about bootstrapping businesses and the earliest days from 0-to-market. How did you begin this journey and what was it like?
My journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t exactly a straight line. In fact, it was more of a zigzag! I started in education, helping students as a guidance counselor, but I always felt this pull for something more dynamic and creative. The 'aha' moment came when a local social media company was looking for well-connected moms to help write local content and promote businesses. It sounded like a fun side hustle—perfect for a busy mom—but it quickly snowballed into a full-time venture. I had stumbled into something I truly loved!
From there, my husband and I dove into magazine franchising, which felt like the perfect extension of my skills in storytelling and community building. The early days were a juggling act—raising kids, managing deadlines, and figuring things out on the fly. Bootstrapping meant we had to get scrappy, but it taught us a lot about resilience and resourcefulness.
Eventually, this passion for helping businesses grow led to the creation of Team Spark Advisors. I started this venture because I realized that so many businesses needed support in aligning their teams and unlocking potential. And just like that, my winding path led me here, where I’m still helping people, just in a different way.
Let's begin with family. I know you are a proud #GirlMom of 4 girls. What is it like balancing a big family and an entrepreneurial career? What advice do you have for other moms making a run at entrepreneurship?
Balancing four daughters and a full-time entrepreneurial career is no small feat! It’s chaotic, unpredictable, but deeply rewarding. I often find myself toggling between a conference call and helping with homework, or heading to a meeting after dropping my girls at an activity. I can be found at dance competitions on the weekends with my laptop out during the down time. The key, for me, has been embracing flexibility and creating boundaries.
To other moms thinking of jumping into entrepreneurship, my advice is simple: don’t wait for the “perfect time” because it doesn’t exist. You have to make time and be okay with imperfection. Prioritize what’s most important in the moment—sometimes that’s business, and other times it’s family. Also, lean into your support network. Whether it’s a spouse, family, or friends, you need people in your corner. Entrepreneurship is hard, but if you’re passionate about what you’re doing, the challenges won’t feel as overwhelming.
I find it interesting that you focused your career on people management. Where did that passion come from?
My passion for people management comes from my roots in psychology and counseling. As a guidance counselor, I was trained to listen deeply, ask the right questions, and guide individuals toward their strengths. When I transitioned into business, I found that those same skills were incredibly valuable. I feel like a counselor for business owners now!
I realized that businesses often focus on the wrong aspects when hiring or managing their teams. It’s not just about qualifications on paper; it’s about finding the right fit for the team and creating environments where people can thrive. My passion lies in helping companies unlock the potential in their people, whether it’s through recruitment or optimizing team dynamics. It’s about matching talent with the right roles so that everyone wins—both the employee and the employer.
I had the pleasure of taking your Culture Index. I have taken quite a few of these types of tests, from Myers-Briggs to the Berke Assessment, but the Culture Index that you took me through was different. Take us through a bit of the secret sauce. Why is the Culture Index different, and why does it work so well?
The Culture Index stands out because it’s more than just a personality survey—it’s a data-driven tool that digs deep into not only what motivates individuals but how they naturally operate. Unlike assessments like Myers-Briggs that focus on preferences, the Culture Index zeroes in on behaviors, decision-making styles, and work dynamics. It’s tailored to help businesses match roles with people based on what they’re naturally good at, not just what they’re capable of doing.
The "secret sauce" lies in its precision. It allows companies to optimize team dynamics by aligning employees' innate strengths with their roles. It’s all about improving productivity and satisfaction, and it’s incredibly effective because it takes out the guesswork. Once a company understands the behaviors of its team members, it can better position them for success, ensuring that both the individual and the organization are thriving.
As an operator and CEO, and as you inspire those around you to pursue business, entrepreneurship, and creative recreation, what are some tangible pieces of advice that would allow, particularly young people, to pursue their passions while focused on creating sustainable futures?
For young people, my advice is to start small, but start now. Don’t wait for all the pieces to align perfectly. If you have an idea or a passion, take the first step toward building something around it. You’d be amazed at how much momentum you can create by just starting.
Second, surround yourself with mentors. Seek out people who’ve been where you want to go. Their insights can save you from making costly mistakes, and they’ll push you when things get tough. And finally, focus on sustainability. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of starting a new venture, but the real challenge is building something that lasts. Always think long-term, whether it’s in your financial planning, team-building, or product development. Sustainability is key to making your passion into a lasting career.
Where can people find you or get in touch? How can people get involved in ultimately giving back to things you truly care about? What are some projects, initiatives, and adventures you're really proud of and would like others to learn about?
You can connect with me on LinkedIn or through my company,Team Spark Advisors, where we help businesses align their teams for success.
I’m also incredibly proud of the work we do with the Culture Index, helping companies improve their talent strategies. Beyond business, I’m passionate about giving back to the community, especially initiatives that support working moms and women entrepreneurs. Whether through my publications or partnerships, I believe in lifting others as we climb, and I encourage anyone to reach out if they want to collaborate on these kinds of efforts.
