We recently connected with Laquelle Mills and have shared our conversation below.

LaQuelle, appreciate you joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I know the one thing any parent would want to hear is that “You did a good job”! I am so grateful for the life and opportunities afforded to me from my youth into my adult years. I grew up as a navy brat (lol), that’s what I like to tell myself. Even though my brother, mom and I did not move around a lot as my father traveled the seas, they did expose my brother and I to a lot of activities, friends and family! Family and community was huge in my household. I loved watching my mom throw dinner parties together or even curate family moments where all my aunts, uncles and cousin came to. It definitely allowed you to see and feel loved. To this day we have a family group text thread of about 16 ( the seasoned generation) people and another with 14 (the youth), where we all are able to stay connected, celebrate wins, encourage each other through losses and everything in between. I carry the importance and love of family into all of my friendships, and people encounters as well. My friends would say that I was the glue to our community because I also make sure we stick together and I’m always picking up new faces too.

Another thing that was done right by my parents were the many exposures they showed my brother and I . We were such active children, from piano lessons, dance, track, gymnastics and more we were always into some form of activity. being able to experience different things pushed my creativity and allowed me to meet so many people and even travel. I felt I was able to explore until I came into my own and made a decision on what I really enjoyed, which was dance by the way. The lesson here is exposure is key!

Lastly and most important. My parents taught me and introduced me to the love of God. I am Christian and I appreciate the introduction my parents showed me into faith and believing in Jesus. I come from a long lineage of pastors and church goers in my family and I’m honored that it was instilled in me. It is the foundation of my life and heart. The thing that’s helped to build my moral, and my character.

These are the things that my parents did right, besides having me!

LaQuelle, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is LaQuelle Mills, I’m originally from St. Petersburg Fl. For the majority of my life dance was a huge passion of mine and something I pursued. I went to performing arts schools from middle school to college. My dance career has allowed me to travel and also develop and present myself as a business. Also, as a dancer I needed to be in an industry that allowed me to maintain my physique and stamina, so I started to look for fitness jobs which landed me a front desk role at Barry’s in Chelsea NYC. From having to promote myself, audition and learn what made me stand out as a performer, and also seeing how well I connected with customers and how I grew within the Barrys brand from front desk to MOD and having a desire to be a manager, it sparked an interest in learning about business and social media. To further my learning, I ended up going back to school for my Bachelors and Masters in Internet Marketing at Fullsail University. Once I graduated I had a new perspective on business and ways I could help others grow as well.

I did get the management role by the way and was able to grow within Barry’s in many leadership positions. I really began to develop myself on hospitality, brand partnerships which afforded me the opportunity to start my own management company, Monarch Noir Artist Agency, with a friend where we assist individuals in growing their social presence while finding ways to create legacy for their future whether financially or even with just discovering who they are in a digital space. I’ve pivoted from the dance space even though every now and then I’ll hit a step and accept a gig, but I’m loving my management life working for choreographers, influencers and for Barry’s as well. I believe people are my purpose and I’m excited to continue to develop in this area.

My main goal is to grow my own entities and be able to work full-time in helping people reach their full potential, grow their business and also assists them in learning who they are and what their digital story may be. My management company (MNAA) offers a mentorship component for people to have a complimentary intro session for where they can share their goals and then a follow-up session where my business partner and I merge their ideas with MNAA on how we can be an asset in helping them reach their goals and expand more.

To learn more of that opportunity, people can email [email protected]. I’m excited for what’s ahead and for the doors that will open for others along with myself.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

The advice I have for managing a team and maintaining high morale, is as a leader having to be fully invested in yourself and those you are managing. What do I mean you ask? Sometimes as managers, we feel that we are in our roles to dictate those who may work with us versus being the mentor and guidance for others to fill our shoes. I read a book called The One- Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson, and I loved that it teaches us to get out of our own way and teach others to be responsible for their work which allows them to be accountable, to grow and to also be able to be problem solvers as well. This is what creates teamwork, development, result’s and great morale. When people are learning, growing and being able to feel that they have a purpose success is made. All the while, as a manager you are in the trenches too so that you yourself can continue to grow and walk out your purpose as well.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

A book that has really changed the way I manage is a book called The One- Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson. This book really taught me a lot as I am maneuvering through maintaining a work life balance and also wanting to be the best manager I can be for those that I manage. I’ve learned the value of time and how to get my time back. I’ve also learned how to create success and progression in a workspace while creating development, accountability and success within my employees as well.

I don ‘t want to give away the magic of the book, but it’s a quick read and definitely an asset to your book shelf.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @LaQuelleMills
• Linkedin: LaQuelleMills
• Other: email [email protected] for any information about growing yourself as an entity, business or influencer.

Image Credits

Kamel Benotot
Lee Gumbs