Obstacles, loss caused delay, but success still came for MBA grad

The college path for Tiffanie Powell-Horton has had more downs than ups, but it was sheer grit and determination that helped her achieve academic success. On Sunday, she’ll graduate with an MBA in general business.

While pursuing her MBA, Powell-Horton has been operating her own Houston-area interior design and event planning business – Unique Transformations. She was inspired to launch the business by the struggles of living in hotels and experiencing homelessness during Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

On a more personal level, Powell-Horton had to endure the challenge of losing of several relatives over the last few years. It was tough dealing with so much loss as she was pursuing the MBA, so the milestone has extra meaning for her and her living relatives.

She chose Texas Woman’s because it has been recognized for its academic excellence, it was affordable and it was within walking distance to her job in Houston. After graduation Powell-Horton, who has two children and eight grandchildren, plans to take time to travel and enjoy the honeymoon trip she couldn’t take previously. 

“It took me 10 years to get my MBA, but I am here,” Powell-Horton said.  “I didn’t let the roadblocks discourage me, and I encourage others to ride the storm out and focus on the finish line.”

She hopes to take the leadership skills she gained from Texas Woman’s to the business world, and is planning a grand reopening for her restructured interior design and special event decorating business.