We recently connected with Lakiesha Thomas and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lakiesha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

If I could go back in time I would have started the journey of entrepreneurship much earlier, I believe I could have been more focused on my future and not so much on my marriage that was up in an uproar which you could read more about in my 2020 Title “Married With Broken Pieces”. I allowed it to deter my focus from several of my dreams and goals of being a business owner/entrepreneur and furthering my education as I am now, learning the detailed ins and outs of it all, working to set up a space that would have allowed my children to follow their goals and dreams without all the hiccups or struggles that I may have endured. I believe if I had I would be much further along than I am now in doing just that. Nevertheless, it didn’t happen that way, and I wouldn’t say I have any regrets because I grew through all the lessons. I would say that I am absolutely satisfied and excited that I have found my focus since beginning my journey in 2014. The lessons, the laughs, the tears, the connections have all made this journey worth it, there is still a lot to learn, see and do but the best thing is that I still have the opportunity to share it all with my children. As they would say, “Better Late Than Never”

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 Lakiesha Thomas, born and raised in the place many know as The Big Easy “New Orleans”Mother and wife of 4, Oldest of 3 siblings 2 sisters and one brother raised in the church by an awesome single mother and longed for the hugs and warmth of her father. All of those elements are apart of who I am today with components of life’s journey playing it’s part in how I see and react to people and decisions I make in my life daily.

Some have come to know me as La’Shaes, what I call a “Motivational Movement” started with my mom, my sister, and me in 2014, hosting motivational and empowerment events for women. This vision came about after moving to Maryland with my mother right after Hurricane Katrina at which time my husband and I were on really bad terms. That time away from one another gave me time to focus on myself and what I wanted for me and my kid’s future. I gave myself a lot of quiet time with God so that he could speak to my heart to remind me that he was all I need and that I was worth all the good things life has to offer. As I began to spend more time with myself I thought about how many other women are losing themselves in things and people that are no good for them. I wrote it all out as the scripture Habakkuk 2:2-3 says Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. I did just that and I presented it to my mom and sister and they ran with me and we have been working on the vision coming upon 8 years. On this journey I didn’t realize I would learn so much about myself, I didn’t realize how broken I was would be revealed to me, how much I would have to step out of my comfort zone and not be so to myself, having to put myself out there and network to meet new people, how I would have to be open to speak in front of a group of people while your heart is racing a hundred miles and hr, knees shaking to no end and to think I wanted to be an Attorney lol. But I am so grateful that this journey is pushing me more and more each year out of my comfort zone if you would like to move forward and upward it’s going to take a whole lot of that as well as doing it when you don’t feel like it, taking a risk, making mistakes and more.

I would have to say the thing I am most proud of is just doing it, just moving forward in every dream, goal, and vision God gives me, and doing it “The Way He Gives It To Me” even though fear tries to come in and say no I do it anyway. I believe fear is one of the greatest hindrances for so many people they become afraid for so many reasons and they never get to see that thing they have in their heart to do and I refuse to allow fear to win the scripture tells me “That I Am More Than A Conqueror” and “That I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Gives Me Strength” , I will Win no matter how many times I have to try.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Here Comes COVID-19, my sister and I were planning our yearly women’s event and we had to discuss how do we bring empowerment and continue to touch the lives of women and we have to be stuck inside. So we said let’s host virtual discussions and we didn’t just want them to be us so we connected with a few other ladies who have great businesses and organizations and allow them to share in on the discussions as well, we were also able to get a few brothers to join in with us on a few of the discussions. So we didn’t just say oh we will wait until this passes because as we all know we were so uncertain about when we would be able to be back together in a public setting. We enjoyed the comradery with all the women and men who joined, we believe we encountered some great discussion and still were able to make an impact on the people.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Across all platforms, my following is continuing to grow, and one thing that I have learned is that you must be consistent meaning you can’t do it at your leisure it has to be even when you may not feel like it and that can be very challenging at first because you may feel like I don’t have time for it and you’re not sure what to post consistently. It may take you some time to get into the swing of things but if you keep going, be authentic and stay in alignment with God requires of you in you purpose, brand, and assignment you will get there. Consistency is key because people’s attention span is short and they forget quickly so you have to be able to not only grasp their attention but keep their attention. Every day I wake up and ask God what is it you would have me to say today, which is a crucial part of my day in being active on social media because I want to be effective in how God sees fit and not just rambling or being out of alignment with my purpose. But to grow I would say stay prayerful, consistent and faithful.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @ladylashaes @shawntees19
• Facebook: @ladylashaes @mrslthomas
• Linkedin: @mrslthomas
• Twitter: @catering2women

Image Credits
Images Credit to Captured Moments by Sherlita Caldwell and Tanisha Walker of In God’s Image Photography