We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Luctresa Raphael . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Luctresa below.

Alright, Luctresa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

My first client was a friend, however the first client I got that was a stranger had me in awe. This client reached out to me on social media because she was referred to me from her friend who was stranger to me as well. I ha a flyer circulating instagram which drew her to my page and she was able to identify with my story, and lead her to support me.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am Luctresa J. Raphael born and raised in the beautiful city of Fort Lauderdale, FL. I am the youngest of three siblings, and the only girl. Growing up in a Haitian cultured home where my mother and father shared different beliefs—my mother being a devout Christian and her father being a non-believer— made it difficult for Luctresa to live up to the expectations of both parents. By the age of 13, I began to look for love and acceptance in the wrong places. I turned to the nightlife of drugs, sex, clubbing, and money, to help her cope with her rejection, insecurities, and life failures. As she continued down this path, I did my best to numb the pain I was experiencing, but later discovered my life was still incomplete. None of the things I was doing gave me a sense of purpose or fulfillment, which led mr to battle with depression and suicidal thoughts.
Despite my shortcomings, my mother believed in me and played a vital role in who I am today. By the age of 21, I made a decision to recommit my life to Christ in April 2012. Since then, I have served as a leader and at Embassy Church under the leadership of Dr. Regina Martin for 10 years. I fought not to allow what I experienced in life to limit me. I used my testimony as inspiration to launch a movement called Aim To Impact, Not Impress. My mission behind the movement is to build confidence and identity within every aspect of one’s life no matter past or current struggles or hardships. I also became a certified life coach to help push people to make an impact in their lives. In 2019, I became a published author of my first book Filthy Pearls: Part I. In addition to my list of life accomplishments, in December of 2020, I married my longtime friend and life partner, Jeff Raphael.

Life experiences have taught me that Christianity is beyond religion, traditions, and regulations. It’s about having a relationship with Christ and knowing that it is through Him we find our worth, purpose, and position on earth. As a an emerging voice for this generation, I continually aim to impact the lives of many people through my YouTube channel-Luctresa Raphael Reality, ministry, business-Aim to Impact Coaching Program, and my transparency.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I had to unlearn was no new friends. With this mindset I was not able to make room for newness in my life holistically. It stunted my growth as person. I only accepted what I was familiar with. Unknowingly, familiarity has a way of keeping us stuck in cycles. I believe Albert Einstein said it best that “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is insanity”. Once I grasped that concept wholeheartedly I recognized in order to experience different results I had to do things differrently. This required out growing what I knew, what I was comfortable with, and applying different skills and strategies to connect with where I was gong. Once I began to apply myself everything around me that no longer mirrored where I was going eventually strayed away. My days became more of just me by myself, at first it was detrimental but over time I understood that the developmental process of growth comes with pain, these pains come with lessons that bring wisdom to your process of growth.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

We are living in a time where you have be bold about your story the blessings and the pain. Just in case you didn’t know that last situation was suppose kill me. The pandemic 2019-2020 revealed the idols in my heart. The people, places, and things I compromised my standards and settled for just to feel loved and accepted. I went back to a place I had desperately ask God to deliver me from, yet I went back to the vomit because of pain and disappointment, but once again I was graced though. From then, I’ve chosen to forgive every time I remember no matter who, what, or when because my aim is to live a life that is genuine and pure. So, there were moments I had to cry, shut up, forgive, apologize, expect no apology, and take the heat right or wrong. Simply because I wanted nothing in the way of my blessings.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.aimtoimpactnotimpress.com
• Instagram: luctresajraphael_
• Facebook: Luctresa Raphael
• Linkedin: N/A
• Twitter: Luctresa J. Raphael
• Youtube: Luctresa Raphael Reality

Image Credits
Abdias Terveus Avalon Fotography DanaCo Photography