Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to La’Shondra Johnson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
La’Shondra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
The biggest risk anyone can take is betting on themselves. In 2018 I decided to leave teaching due to being genuinely unhappy in the profession. I felt that I wasn’t making the impact I could and hd genuine concerns about my growth as well as student growth within the system. I applied for a fellowship for my nonprofit, EXTRAordinary Youth Inc. (using public speaking to enhance confidence and reading comprehension) and told myself that if I got in, it was a sign to leave teaching, as I thought I was getting 10k. Well, as luck would have it, I got the fellowship! I created a plan to work part time as a morning coordinator for a private school (5-9 am) work on my business to teach public speaking to youth in the afternoon, finish my MBA in the evening, and use the 10K plus the money I would get back to pay for bills. My cousin agreed to let me move in with her (I would no longer be able to afford my lease) so I put my things in storage and slept on an air mattress in the small room at my cousins. I thought I could easily find a studio apartment to lease in a year, but EVERYTHING I had planned FAILED.
Instead of 10K from the fellowship I received 5K, tuition went up in my Masters program leaving me with no money back, and to top if off the job I landed part time, stopped calling me back. I was stuck with substituting when I could (it is completely needs based and there were times I was not needed) and relying on credit cards. Even my pilot for my business struggled for a bit to get a partnership to run in. My health suffered and I went without health insurance. I even applied for food stamps and was only given $16/month! I once received a check after 3 weeks for $80 and laughed thinking “Should I eat with this or pay my car insurance?”
I was miserable, questioning my purpose, had I made the wrong decision?It felt like everything I was touching, was failing or so much harder than I imagined. It was in this struggle however that I learned about the power of meditation. I thought about quitting everyday, and would have to silence my mind.
But I stuck with it, through connections I made, I was able to land my first partnership to run my pilot, which taught me so much. I landed a part time job AND my dream studio apartment within 9 months of hard work. And I finished my MBA a year later. 2018-2019 was the hardest. year of my life financially, mentally, and physically. I left stable income and started a whole new life. Today I have a house, consistent contracts, and I am looking to hire in the near future.
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 was born and raised in South Florida! I have always been a performer from church plays to performing arts high school and even an improv troupe in college. Needless to say the arts had a huge impact in my life giving me confidence in public speaking which translated to workforce easily. It also helped me win oratory and pitch competitions starting at age 17!When I became a teacher, I realized my students struggled with this and wanted to use theater to help enhance not only reading comprehension, but their overall confidence in public speaking which left to my nonprofit EXTRAordinary Youth Inc.
Working with students led adults also requesting my services. I started watching pitch competitions and realized “Wow, people have great ideas, but they sure are boring in their presentation” lol. So now, a primary focus of mine is enhancing the voice of individual’s business brand by focusing on an increase in overall confidence, tone, facial expressions, and word choice. We help you bring the words of your business to life, and increase your revenue! And trust me when I say, me having this theater background, makes working with me fun and exciting, while also pushing you to your highest level.
I am so proud of seeing growth in my clients! I’ve been able to host pitch competitions locally and provide free training, with individuals using this to go and win other competitions! I have group cohorts where we meet bi weekly virtually as well as one-on-one to set individual goals available, courses, and one-on-one coaching services as well.
Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?
My first reoccurring client came from me literally sending repetitive emails! Unfortunately, most businesses, big or small, can be a bit slow with being responsive (even I am guilty of this from time to time). But what makes you land the sale is simply consistency.
Just because you don’t get an answer, does not mean it’s a no. Keep calling, emailing, and showing up to events until you hear the word “NO.”
I literally emailed this organization for around 8 months before we met and solidified me working with them!
KEEP GOING!
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
In person and word of mouth! While online marketing is helpful, the BEST thing any business owner can do is put themselves on multiple platforms in front of others as often as possible. Most of the people who work with me now, saw me on another platform and wanted to learn more after feeling my energy.
I also know networking and speaking publicly for others can be nerve wrecking, which is why I’m here in the first place! Let me help you get out on that stage together!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pitchit365.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pitchit365/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lashondrabjohnson/
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pitch-it-llc/