We caught up with the brilliant and insightful LaKendra Smalley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

LaKendra, We appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

Absolutely! When I ventured into the world of life coaching as a certified professional, the concept was relatively unknown. At that time, I was prepared to leave my career in education behind and fully immerse myself in this new path. However, the term “life coach” wasn’t taken seriously, which compelled me to educate others about its potential and the ways I could assist them. This is how I embarked on my journey long before establishing a highly successful multi-million-dollar life coaching company.

I faced numerous closed doors along the way, with people often laughing at me and advising me to stick to education. I vividly recall my persistent attempts to become a subscriber on Psychology Today’s website, only to be denied repeatedly. However, one day, my application was finally accepted, and once I became recognized as a life coach on their platform, I started receiving numerous client referrals.

Additionally, my entrepreneurial mother imparted valuable advice, urging me to approach businesses I wished to collaborate with and attend events where individuals sought guidance or could benefit from my services. Although this suggestion initially challenged me due to my fear of randomly discussing my business with people, it turned out to be the best advice I received. It enabled me to achieve my first six-figure income and make the decision to transition away from education.

From there, I dedicated myself to establishing a reputable name for myself as a life coach. Despite already pursuing my Ph.D. in psychology and possessing valuable work experience and education, my primary focus was not on those credentials. I simply wanted to be known as a life coach. In the initial stages, I vividly recall my best friend discovering a life coaching course in California. While I couldn’t afford it at the time, I made significant sacrifices to enroll in the course and become a Certified Life Coach. Those initial steps were crucial. I wholeheartedly believed in my abilities and embraced the identity of a life coach. Once I cleared that hurdle, I started showcasing my role as a life coach in every aspect of my life, including my work. I even encouraged my students to refer to me as their “life coach teacher” – it was quite amusing! I was determined to embrace this new way of helping people, especially considering how profoundly the course had impacted my own life. It offered a refreshing and more manageable approach to stress while assisting others.

LaKendra, it’s wonderful to have you here sharing your experiences with us. Before we delve into more questions, could you take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who may have missed our previous conversations?

Absolutely! I am a God-girl first and foremost, and it’s because of my faith, that I AM. I call my husband Mac Dreamy, and for 16 years, he’s been my biggest supporter no matter what. My favorite food is nachos, and when I make them at home, I finely chop-up oyster mushrooms and spinach as my topping. My goodness, so good! Also, I love the chewy sweet tarts – LOL! Seriously, I am truly blessed to be where I am today, and it’s because I have dedicated my life to helping others. It is so rewarding!

My educational background encompasses Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Education, and I hold a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. I started my career as a Parole Officer, where I discovered my passion for helping clients uncover their purpose and find fulfillment in life. The satisfaction I felt from being an agent of change motivated me to continue making a difference. Despite the challenges, I maintained one of the lowest revocation rates in my office, and the impact of my guidance was evident in the positive changes I witnessed among my clients.

During this time, I conducted a survey among my caseload, asking three crucial questions: What do you envision for your future? Do you believe you deserve good things in life? Are you willing to transform yourself to secure your future? It became clear to me that many of my parolees lacked direction, focus, and adequate support. While the rehabilitation process was lacking within the system, I couldn’t let that hinder me. I took it upon myself to help my 100+ caseload dream again and find a sense of purpose. Witnessing lives change for the better, I realized that working with at-risk youth, who were heading down a similar path, was my calling. So, I transitioned from being a parole officer to becoming a certified special education behaviorist in the field of education.

My journey of helping others began early in life when I was just seven years old. I used to play with my dolls, pretending to be a counselor, and even as a creative writer, I would compose letters to assist those in distress. This is when my innate talents for creativity and leadership were recognized. Being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, I found solace in my vivid imagination. Additionally, my mother’s clinical depression had a profound impact on me as a child, fostering qualities such as empathy, compassion, and patience. Growing up in such an environment made me acutely aware of the importance of therapy and seeking help. My mother and I underwent therapy together, allowing me to embrace my uniqueness and develop a strong sense of self.

By my junior year in high school, I was interning at the psychiatric ward of Children’s Medical Center. During my senior year, I had the privilege of engaging with patients who were about to be discharged. One person who significantly influenced me was Patty Westerledge, the director. She believed I would make an exceptional psychiatrist, but destiny had a different plan—I became an exceptional master-level life coach instead.

When I say that I have been doing this work throughout my life in the realms of mental and behavioral health, it’s because of these experiences that shape my approach and make me stand out. I possess a profound hope and compassion for humanity, understanding that with determination and the right support, everyone has the potential to change and become better individuals. My most impactful creations, which help those ready to grow and pursue their desires, include the IC.A.R.E. Global Heart Model™ and the VIP3 Formula. I teach these frameworks worldwide, with the intention of expanding the hearts of humanity, fostering harmony, personal growth, and eliminating self-hate, hatred towards others, and division.

Recently, I completed the first part of my tour, visiting Manila, Tacloban, and concluding in Dubai in May 2023. My journey will continue with stops in Nairobi in July and Texas in November 2023. It brings me immense joy to share who I am and contribute to society, as I believe I have finally manifested my soul’s deepest desire.

I can proudly say, I have achieved a groundbreaking milestone as the first black-owned mental and behavioral life coaching company to be credentialed under Medical Insurance. This recognition has allowed me to provide essential services to clients in need, further solidifying my dedication to addressing mental and emotional well-being with professionalism and inclusivity.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Oh, what an excellent question! Learning and unlearning truly play pivotal roles in personal growth. Let me share a story of a time when I had to undergo the process of unlearning a lesson.

I found myself needing to unlearn the belief that there are inherent limits to how far I could grow and achieve success. This realization transcended boundaries of gender and race, as I refused to let those factors define my potential. I decided to break free from the confines of my local environment and embrace a global perspective. By expanding my horizons, I transformed my private life coaching practice into a global enterprise. I attracted clients from various backgrounds, some of whom required translators to bridge language barriers. By shattering the limitations, I had imposed on myself, I opened up new avenues for growth and discovery.

We, as individuals, often erect barriers in our minds, and society too can impose its own limitations. However, I firmly believe that as a creation of The Most High, I am entitled to abundance. I recognize that if I work diligently and wholeheartedly pursue my goals, I can claim the success that is rightfully mine.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Breaking free from conventional modes of learning is crucial. Often, we place excessive emphasis on education as the sole determinant of success, and I, too, once held that belief. While formal education provided me with foundational knowledge and instilled discipline, it was what I pursued beyond the confines of traditional learning that propelled me to my current level of success.

I crafted a personal manifesto that guides my definition of success:

1. Self-belief is paramount, and reaching this point required significant inner work.
2. Failure is an integral part of the journey. Like a child learning to walk, I stumbled multiple times before finding my footing.
3. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness. I acknowledge my expertise while seeking assistance in areas where I lack knowledge.
4. My heart embraces diversity, recognizing that inclusivity is key to my growth and success.
5. I recognize that personal growth is an ongoing process, and I approach myself with kindness along the journey.
6. Faith is the cornerstone of my journey, providing focus and unwavering determination.
7. Regardless of circumstances, I remain steadfast in standing up for my beliefs. Not showing up isn’t an option.
8. I find joy in the abundance I have created.
9. Extending a helping hand to others is a priority for me.
10. I consistently monitor my emotions and take responsibility for my actions, and I how I make other’s feel.

These guiding principles have played a pivotal role in shaping my success and continue to drive my progress in the field.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.simplylakendra.com, www.globalcoachentrepreneur.org, www.giceloves,org
• Instagram: @simplylakendra, @gice_loves
• Facebook: @giceloves @simplylakendra
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ master-coach-lakendra-smalley-b9839023
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvKovyM5_ERyYdverhJJ2aw