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

LaBrandon, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Since becoming a purpose coach, one of the most rewarding projects I’ve embarked on is self-publishing a Vision Board Journal. I have a deep affinity for creating vision boards; it’s a manifestation process that I’ve been successfully utilizing since 2009, and it has consistently worked wonders for me.

However, the traditional approach of displaying my vision board in my home or bedroom never quite sat well with me. The idea of having my most intimate hopes and dreams exposed for anyone who walks into my space to see—and potentially question—felt uncomfortable. It’s one thing to embrace your aspirations; it’s another to have them become a topic of casual conversation or scrutiny by family, friends, or dates.

This is where the concept of a Vision Board Journal comes into play. It’s essentially a portable and private iteration of a vision board, seamlessly blending the visual aspect of manifestation with the introspective practice of journaling. Each page of the journal is designed not just to host images and words that represent your goals and dreams, but also to serve as a space for reflection and tracking your progress towards those aspirations.

Imagine having a personal sanctuary where you can both visually curate your dreams and write down your thoughts, breakthroughs, and the steps you’re taking towards achieving them. This Vision Board Journal is more than just a planner; it’s a companion on your journey towards manifestation, offering both privacy and practicality.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Born to a feisty, smart mom who demanded that I do my best in school and be respectful. I saw her working hard to help take care of our immediate family and her family at large. A fiery nucleus.

My dad was the creative one. He painted, he created, he fixed with ease – and was usually the one that said yes to the extras in life.

Early years, I existed in the shadow of my older siblings, tucked away much of the time with a caring, easy grandmother, a reclusive uncle, and two aunts who were always there to help me through milestone moments like getting my driver’s license.

It was the perfect storm — not being the center of attention and spending so much time at my grandmother’s house (with what felt like the biggest backyard when I was young) — to allow me to dream BIG.

I’m a Pisces. And those born under this zodiac love to create our own worlds. I’ve been doing this since I was 4 or 5.

My excellence in school could be attributed to high expectations from my parents and natural smarts, but I think the driver was really the desire to dream bigger.

The books, things I saw on the small screen, and the classmates from other neighborhoods and lifestyles, all represented access to resources allowing me to create new worlds in my mind.

I first learned about manifestation – how to will my imagination and dreams in to being – in high school when I started watching televangelist Paula White on BET. She taught me how to interpret the Bible and listen for God’s direction in a way that I never got from the Baptist church I was raised in.

The first time I really listened to God’s whispers is deciding to go to undergrad out of state in a city where I had zero family nearby and where I knew no one. Looking back, I’m shocked that my parents turned me loose, but I guess the decision felt right to everyone.

When I began my undergraduate journey, my initial aspiration was to pursue a career in broadcast journalism. However, after gaining some hands-on experience in the field, I realized it wasn’t the right fit for me. This realization led me to explore alternative ways to fulfill my passion for storytelling, which is when I gravitated towards communications and marketing. To satisfy my journalistic inclinations, I launched an entertainment blog named Quick’s Catch Up, focusing on celebrities, music, and entertainment. This was during a time when blogs like Concrete Loop and Love B. Scott were dethroning tabloids as the go-to source of entertainment news.

As a sophomore in college, managing Quick’s Catch Up offered me invaluable experience in digital marketing, as I navigated the challenges of design and content management along with attracting visitors to my site. QCU opened doors to exciting opportunities, such as interviewing celebrities, attending industry events, movie screenings, and even experiencing New York Fashion Week for the first time through the blog. From 2007 to 2014, at its peak, Quick’s Catch Up attracted over 27,000 unique visitors a month.

By the time I ended my entertainment blog, I was already working in corporate America, climbing the ladder as a marketer, and I was no longer interested in telling stories about celebrities. As my interests evolved, I moved away from celebrity-centric storytelling. I experimented with different blogging themes, including a more uplifting entertainment blog and a marketing-focused one, though these projects didn’t achieve the success I had hoped for.

My passion for travel and the experiences I shared with friends led me to pivot once again, this time from blogging to content creation on Instagram. I transferred some of my blogging audience to Instagram, where I began focusing on travel, fashion, and lifestyle content from 2015 onwards. This new platform allowed me to engage with my audience in a more visual and immediate way, leading to brand collaborations with companies like Landing, Chime, Warby Parker, Reebok, Nordstrom, Ralph Lauren, and Whataburger.

In 2020, amidst a global call for racial equality, I shared insights with Forbes on how brands can work more effectively with influencers and content creators to enhance diversity.

Though I am invested in content creation, my primary role is that of a marketing leader. My background is diverse, encompassing startups, legacy brands, and global corporations. I have led marketing and global communications for notable brands, including American Express Global Business Travel and Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Throughout my corporate career and in my personal life with family and friends, I’ve discovered one of my innate gifts: the ability to guide others through their challenges, help them unpack their issues, and find a path forward. I’ve always been the person people turn to, whether they need advice, support with personal problems, or preparation for an upcoming job interview. This role of being a confidant and advisor led me to pursue a career in life coaching, with a particular focus on purpose coaching. I aim to help individuals discover their true calling and what they are meant to do with their lives. In December 2022, I took a significant step towards this goal by becoming a certified life coach.

The end of 2023 brought profound personal loss with the passing of my father. During my period of mourning, I took a step back from social media, which provided me with the clarity that it was time for a pivot in the content I focused on. While I attempted to integrate purpose and life coaching content with the travel, lifestyle, and fashion posts my audience was accustomed to, the blend wasn’t always seamless. Therefore, I’ve decided to shift away from the type of content creation I’ve been engaged in for the past nine years, to concentrate on purpose-driven content. I’m excited to be launching a new social media channel on Instagram in early March.

My goal is to offer a resource for anyone, whether a client or not, looking for inspiration on their journey to finding their purpose, understanding their personal legend, or discovering what truly sparks joy in their life. This new direction is not just about a change in the content but a deeper commitment to empowering others in their search for meaning and fulfillment.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I often find myself looking to an array of “mentors-in-my-head” for inspiration, individuals whose stories and wisdom guide me even though we’ve never met. Among these sources of inspiration, I’d like to highlight a few favorites that resonate deeply with me, especially those who have leaned into their purpose, overcome adversity, and achieved success.

One of my top recommendations for those seeking motivation and insight is to delve into the works of the late André Leon Talley. I encourage everyone to read two of his books: “A.L.T.: A Memoir” and “The Chiffon Trenches.” Both books offer a glimpse into Talley’s remarkable journey from a small, Southern town to the heights of the fashion industry. André’s upbringing in the segregated South, combined with his faith, education, meaningful connections, and his unique personality, propelled him to become the Editor-at-Large for American Vogue. His story is a powerful testament to the idea that success is possible, even when it seems like the odds are against you. I find a personal connection in his narrative, as it mirrors the universal challenge of finding your path against all odds.

Another invaluable resource I recommend is subscribing to Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday podcast. Oprah has a knack for bringing together amazing guests who share their journeys and insights, aiming to awaken listeners to their best selves and foster a deeper connection with the world around them. The podcast serves as a weekly dose of inspiration and contemplation, encouraging listeners to explore their purpose and the profound impact of living a life aligned with it.

These resources have been instrumental in my journey. Whether you’re seeking to overcome adversity, find your path, or simply looking for a source of daily inspiration, diving into the stories of those who have navigated their unique journeys can provide both comfort and direction.

The other thing that is finding something to help with stress. I’m a huge tennis fan and recently started playing again. It’s been great for helping me manage stress and for building community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.labrandondates.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/labrandondates
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@labrandondates