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

Atiya, appreciate you joining us today. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.

Getting my first client, I went about it in a unique way. I thought outside the box and wanted to find other ways to attract clients. Social media is always a good platform to promote your business, however, I decided to use a different route. I followed a few healing groups on TikTok and one particular had a Facebook group I joined. I utilized that platform to promote by business while helping my target market when they was in need during the most critical time, the pandemic. I offered my first session for free for a limited time for anyone who signed up with me via the group. I made a special offer just for the healing group because I truly felt on my heart that they needed me the most. I received 5 clients from the group within 3 days of me dropping my special for the group. I was so excited and a little anxious because I didn’t expect it to happen that fast. My phone notifications were flowing with inquiries and bookings. It was an amazing feeling because I could finally heal others the way they needed to be. After the initial free session, it was easy for them to book recurring paid sessions which motivated me to keep exceeding my expectations. Little did they know, the group was beneficial for me in ways that I realized I still needed to heal some parts of my life. It was a win win situation for both parties.

Atiya, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a Certified Life Coach, a native of Brooklyn, NY, offering ten years of mentoring and empowering experience. What sets me apart from others is that I don’t do it for the money but to truly be a servant to others. I am eager to build confidence, self-love, personal development, good character, and severing toxic relationships by overcoming adversities one obstacle at a time. I inspire to assist empowerment seekers by cultivating their faith into a purpose-driven life. I have proud solid track record of encouraging young woman to maximize the value they bring, accepting themselves, and a lifestyle that promotes a healthy mind, body, and spirit. I am most proud of the results of clients leaving feeling enlightened and inspired with the blueprint for transformation and personal development through a deep desire only they can create. I strive to help my clients become a better version of themselves.

After completing Life Coach School, I was stuck figuring out where to begin. I was so scared of failing that I became the obstacle in my way. I struggled with creating my website because I wanted it to be perfect. It took me a whole year to launch due to my own imperfections. It became a challenge for me to create content daily due to having this new platform. I was known for posting inspirational and motivational quotes on social media sporadically, however, after announcing I was a Certified Life Coach, people were expecting me to post daily. I had to find balance in creating content for my social media pages because although I was providing “free gems,” I still wanted to help at least one person even if they couldn’t afford my services. Another obstacle was learning that everyone will not support you and your business isn’t made for everyone. I had to learn how to not get discouraged and to not alter my business for others.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My story of resilience is a little different than most. I used my life experiences and turned it into a business which illustrates my resilience.

At the age of 15 years old, I was abducted. I seen life in a different perspective because what I thought would never happen to me did, and I no longer wanted anyone to be naive to the realities of life. That devastating experience took the innocence that was left of me and turned into turmoil. With two years left of High School, I was stuck figuring out what path I wanted to take in life. I knew that I wanted to bring awareness to abduction for young girls but didn’t know-how. As a freshman in college, majoring in Mass Communication, I began to target all my projects around abduction, rape, and domestic violence. Not wanting to become another statistic, I sadly fell into the category. I wanted to break the cycle because I was determined to end this “general curse.” Hearing stories of family members being victims of domestic violence, witnessing my forever friend being raped, and even myself being a victim to my own traumas, I knew that change was the only solution.

I became an advocate for women who have been a victim of trauma and began volunteering with the YWCA of Richmond to strengthen resilience and empowering women. Many young woman began to gravitate towards me as I spoke proudly on my platform of “Overcoming Adversities One Obstacle At A Time” to assure they were aware of the truths of life and to gain a safe space because most women don’t. I became a vessel across many college campuses in Virginia and North Carolina. I have five years of experience working in the mental health field where I felt I was making a change but It just wasn’t enough. One day, I came across an advertisement on Instagram of attending Life Coach School with a chance of winning a scholarship. Contemplating all day if this was a sign from God, I applied and two days later received an email stating that I was the scholarship recipient. I found my niche as an Empowerment Life Coach and started my own coaching business called “A.K.S Coaching.”

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I built my audience on social media by being my authentic self. As I stated before, I was known for positing quotes that resonated with others. I then started asking questions of what types of quotes or things they wanted me to write about and used what the people wanted to gain an audience. Also, I created a free Self Care Planner Workbook for those who subscribed to my website. We all love free, so why not offer something to draw your audience in. Once they subscribed to my website, they are now in the database to receive anything my business have to offer.

For those who are just starting to build a social media presence, I suggest to remain consistent and post on all social media platforms daily. Whether you believe it’s repetitive, it doesn’t go unnoticed. Eventually they will click on what you have to offer because they keep seeing it. Also, I suggest sending your post out to everyone so they can repost it for you. The more awareness your post gets, the better it’s for your business.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.akscoaching.com/
• Instagram: @lifecoachatiyak
• Facebook: @lifecoachatiyak/A.K.S Coaching
• Twitter: @lifecoachatiyak
• Other: https://msha.ke/lifecoachatiyak./

Image Credits
Jasmin Davis and Ajah Smith-Bell