Tisha Deshields

1. Tell me about yourself, your family?

I am a mother of four.  I conceived the idea for this unique business when I was pregnant with my fourth child. Awestruck by the beauty and promise of a pregnant woman’s form, I conceived Original Belly Works.  I realized that no gift could be more poignant than providing the expectant mother a way to preserve the splendor of pregnancy.  While designing the sculpture, I realized that I wanted to immortalize the same memory for each of my children.  I began to research the possibility of producing a copy of my pregnant form.  In so doing, the idea to offer this creation to ALL mothers was born.  Along with offering a belly casting kit, OBW offers a prefabricated fiberglass sculpture to mothers by surrogacy and adoption.  I am  delighted to see that my creativity and business background has birthed such a unique business.

I currently has five patents and Original Belly Works is the only business of its kind offering the fiberglass sculpture.  In my quest for launching a successful business, I attended EDN ( Entrepreneur Development Network, a focused course enabling entrepreneurs to elevate to the next level and launch a business.  Prior to my career as Mom, I attended the University of Tennessee/ Knoxville on a full track and field athletic scholarship majoring in Elementary Education.  I left UT after marrying then MLB player (1990) husband.  I continued my education and changed her major to Business Marketing /Management at Northwood University in West Palm Florida (1995-1996).

2.   What do you do for fun?

I enjoy reading, aerobics, attending my children's sporting events, relaxing with family and friends.

3.   Tell me about your business(s) [what you sell/do/etc]?

My company has taken a fairly new concept and revolutionized it.  Original Belly Works has taken the art of  belly casting to a whole new dimension.  We provide do-it-yourself  kits for pregnant women, so they can create a plaster mold of their pregnant tummy.  We can fiber glass the plaster molds of the pregnant mommies tummy, decorate the sculpture and create lasting keepsakes for the mother and child.  I began casting to create a lasting heirloom for each of my children.  In so doing, my friends and family were so amazed at the detail, the artistry, and the overall concept that they suggested I create a business doing what I'd been so passionate about and Original Belly Works was conceived.  I am proud to announce that I have officially given birth to 'My Baby'.  Like all proud mothers, I am enjoying watching my 'Baby' grow and develop.  It hasn’t always been easy, but who said ‘Motherhood‘ was.  But it has been very rewarding.

 The Original Belly Works Kit Makes a Great:

*Keepsake
*Heirloom
*Baby Shower Gift
*Nursery Décor
*OB/GYN Office Décor

A Portion of all our proceeds go towards the March of Dimes in their fight against premature childbirth.

5 years

5.   What made you get into the business?

Original Belly Works was born out of a desire to make my own contribution to the family budget while being a stay-at-home mom.  I also wanted to create something tangible that would forever keep me connected to that special time in my life.  I have found that I am most innovative and productive when I am being stretched to my limit.  I have four amazing children who keep me extremely busy, but like so many mothers I feel a deep need to experience something of my own.  I always had a creative craving and have always been trying to find my own artistic voice.  I have not been formally educated in art and until a few years ago, I never imagined that I would make my career as an artist.  But inspiration has a funny way of giving us wings and courage!  I am grateful to my family and to God for such a rich and rewarding opportunity.

6.   What motivates you?

My children

7.  Can you recommend any good resources/websites/networks?

Ladies Who Launch, EDN (Entrepreneur Development Network, LinkedIN,