We recently connected with Lashawn Dreher and have shared our conversation below.
Lashawn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.
Keeping community and impact at the root of my work has always set me apart from the rest. There could be hundreds of accolades and opportunities lined up for me, and I’m still going to find a way to bring the people in my community, who align with the mission and vision, along for the journey. It’s how I operate in my business and the mindset I often share with clients.
Everything is so transactional these days, that it’s hard to see through those who are actually here to give you what their product, service, or movement promises, versus those who just want the dollar. When your focus is on the people and their benefit, there are never any blurred lines or losses for either party involved.
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.
If you’ve never heard of me, know that I’m a cultural visionary who amplifies the voices and visions of innovators and intentional brands. I run A Creative Marketing Co. that specializes in multi-channel digital marketing strategies and services through culture-forward storytelling.
Over the past five years, I’ve grown a thriving community of 100,000+ Black Women entrepreneurs, professionals, and creatives through an all-in-one networking platform, BlkWomenHustle®, and now sharing their ventures and success stories through the media platform EMOIR™.
While I’m proud of the work I’ve done, lately, I’ve been getting back to deeper impact, choosing to focus on the pressing matters of society, our overall well-being, and how we can get back to operating as an actual community. I feel there’s a social responsibility for me to uphold and it’s time to lead the charge.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
The most difficult pivot I’ve made was in 2019 when I had to relocate after two of the most challenging years of my life. It was a hard reset in my personal and professional life. This was one year before the pandemic, so remote work wasn’t as available as it is now, and I had to rely on my knowledge, talent, and skills to get me by. I started over with nothing— no home of my own, no job, and no money. In the words of Celie, ”But dear God, I’m here!”
It led to leaning on what I always knew I was good at— being creative. From contracting with brands as a coordinator to obtaining certifications to master my craft, I did everything possible to find solid ground. I dedicated countless, sleepless nights, and honestly overworked myself into burnout on occasion, but it resulted in creating a profitable marketing company and a worldwide network for Black Women.
It’s a journey I’ll never forget and will always be grateful for. Those trying years opened the door for me to heal, learn and unlearn, expand beyond the known in unimaginable ways, and revisit what success truly looks like for me. It’s also given me the community I never knew I needed.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
The current state of the world is driving my creative journey. I’ve always been a woman of impact, from service on a local level, to being a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., to serving my community. At this point in my career, I want to intersect my creativity with the work that needs to be done to change where we are headed as a society. The choice I’ve made to work with more intentional brands is only the starting point.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lashawndreher.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lashawndreher
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lashawndrehermba/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lashawn-dreher-mba
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/lashawndreher
- Other: https://www.acreativemarketingco.com
Image Credits
Flourish Photography, Visiuals by Caro, Inspire to Elevate Media, 323 Creative Designs