We recently connected with Lacrisha Thomas and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Lacrisha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Taking RISK: Builds Beast In You…….
It all started when I lost my godmother that raised me. My biological mother was not in my life & I had no clue where she was. I had a son to raise and I no longer had my back bone my godmother to be there & guide me as a young mother. I had to put my big girl pants on and start making better decisions. I started to wonder what my future looked like. I had no desire to be the best nurse, I loved entrepreneurship that different type of grind.
In 2010 I started doing what I learned from my godmother growing up cooking & baking. I started baking cupcakes and selling them out my car for $5.00, then at community events, then led to creating a dessert table at New York Fashion week event. I had no clue what I was doing or how to start a business, I just knew my healthcare degree wasn’t making me happy, I was looking for more life. I wasn’t happy, I kept baking at night and on weekends trying to find myself. And i actually loved it !
2012 I realized I wanted a change of life, still not having my biological mother in my life. Only thing I knew was I didn’t want my son growing up in the inner city like I did. I created a year plan to save money, swipe out my 401-k find me an apartment to live in, provide for us off my business then was “Couture Cupcakes”. I felt like my vision was getting so much bigger and I had no one embracing or encouraging entrepreneurship openly in my city Philadelphia, The answer was play safe, get a job, pay your bills and be content. I couldn’t I wanted more out of life, I was mentally burned out
I took a huge risk betting on myself moving to charlotte, NC 2013, I had never lived or moved anywhere outside of Philadelphia. upon getting to charlotte baking business was booming until 2015. I hit my rock bottom year. afraid to tell any of my family or friends back in Philadelphia, of course my dad. he would definitely have said “come back home” that wasn’t an option for me. I kept my secret, long nights of financial depression, life kept happening, but I got up everyday an never quit !
I had to figure it out on my own, in process grow up. Best decision I made in my life. I had to self develop to shift my mindset from poverty. Get around more people living the life I desired for me, I had to learn more life outside of my comfort zone. I experienced repossession, late rent, over drawn bank account multiple times, until I started attending leadership programs, mentorship, taught me how to master mindset & money.
2017 I became a licensed life insurance agent in 5 states. While learning financial literacy. I hit the ground running teaching families in my community how to build wealth with life insurance. it was then, that I learned “these are the vulnerable transparent conversations” that I didn’t have coming up, and we need more it. It changed my life, I realized we don’t have to silently suffering. and I haven’t looked back since. From there I started coaching minority women, I created a safe space for them to connect, learn & grow with like minds. I then created a mindset & money planner, 3 years ago started a credit repair company, that aim to increase the number of minority women homeowners globally.
everything I do today, traveling teaching, hosting events at my office. Mindset & Money Meet Ups. Women attract to me because I’m a coach that personally been through, what they are currently experiencing. who better to learn from, than someone who actually has the blueprint based on experience to their circumstances. And not afraid to share my story.
I encourage every woman to take bigger risk, if you really believe in that thing, you will never have it all planned out, Take the first step and god will guide you the rest of the way. Be in for a ride that’s well worth the wait. your why has to be deeper than money, you have to find something you love to do & have fun with it helping people. I guarantee you, by default you will start to attract abundance and no longer have to chase.
I’m just a girl from Philadelphia, that jumped, went after a life/ dream not knowing how. I never Imagined this life, I was dreaming but not this big, now my thoughts and long term goals aren’t regular. I came this far, now I’m leveraging my business relationships & my network to leave an even bigger impact on thousands of families, that’s the end goal. But I was brave enough to take the first step, I never seen this journey coming, good/ bad I embraced, built discipline, blocked out the noise from life, stayed consistent, always investing back into my self. so that year after year, I become more valuable to my community. I wouldn’t change it for anything in this world !
Today, I have Impacted hundred of women globally, giving them a sense of mental peace & financial freedom. All from going left when my friends went right. Wanting more for my son, I took so many risk I cant even remember all until this day !
Remember, if they’re is no RISK, NO REWARD
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I ended up in finances by default actually. I went through my own personal financial hardship and it changed my life. when I experienced the lowest year of my life 2015, I mastered Mindset & Money. which was what I later came to know, is exactly what was missing from my life. It takes a different type of Mindset to learn how to block out the noise from life. we have a huge problem being motivated one day & distracted by life 2 days later. I already knew how to make money. I had no clue how to manage money & multiple money. which I know for a fact is 80 % of the problem women face today. Growing up like many woman, we just saw bills being paid and things getting done.
In my coaching program I help minority women, develop a positive and productive mindset around money. removing old barriers mentally holding them back, With a structured program: Financial Assessment, Income vs Expenses, Pricing and Services, Profit and Loss, Cash Flow Management, Goal Setting.
what differentiates me, is the fact that all my clients are who I once was. I documented my journey, changed my own personal circumstances, to help women that was struggling like I was, but didn’t feel like with people that didn’t look like them, nor ever experienced what they teach.
Today, I’m most proud of, allowing myself grace, recreating the women I am today. Pushing through when everybody once laughed and clowned me for being different. It took a lot of self discipline and strength. From waking up everyday not knowing how I’m pay my bills. to now helping woman with resource’s, options, effective strategies to get pay their bills, but providing solutions so they know get back to that low again.
My motto is “We don’t chase money, we focus on IMPACT”
How did you build your audience on social media?
I have been having the Money Mindset conversation since 2019. due to the fact I wasn’t educated on marketing, no one knew who I was or barely supported me online. when 2020 hit, we got shut down. i spend my last money in my bank account to invest in a marketing coach on Instagram i had been following & learning tips from for years
best money ever spent. I started going live for like 14 days straight, doing Q&A, encouraging them to schedule consultation calls me with me etc…..then i started building email list. I created a strategy that coincides with both, more women started to notice me, engage and spend money on my products/ services.
my best advice is, even with 500 followers, create a plan for 30 days based on what the offer is, educate don’t be a salesman, be open with sharing your story, let people know your relatable, just be you, use apps to schedule your post so your consistent, let your content be different, but always the same end goal
easy way to build like minded followers, find 10 professionals that may have your audience, in their audience. be sure they are professional, legit, send them a DM, ask them to do a live with you on a topic, always tell them what the benefit is for them 1st
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
I met my business partner lucy randomly. I cant remember exactly, but I know she was god sent. We connected personally, then business got involved. We are in the same industry, so I never thought a partnership would be successful. but its been years and we have helped many many families together. Still growing stronger !
Contact Info:
- Website: www.faithfamilyfinance.co www.financemuslimah.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/iamfinancemuslimah
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamfinancemuslimah
- Youtube: @financemuslimah4639