We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Latashia Renee. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Latashia below.

Latashia, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

Honestly, I’ve been writing since I was able to hold a pencil. Lol! (I legit would rather write than talk.) Writing quickly became my passion as a young child and as I got older, I guess you could say, it just wouldn’t turn me loose!

In 2017, I self-published my debut book, “I Just Wanna Be Free: My Life. My Words. My Testimony.” It was then that I realized the power of my pen. When other women heard my story of moving from victim to victor, I knew I had began to tap into my purpose. They found freedom in my story of triumph and how God had delivered me from soooo many horrific things. But even then, I was only really thinking about my passion/purpose. The idea that I could turn my passion into a profit was foreign to me.

But last year, my Pastor said six words to me that changed my life. She said, “you are sitting on your provision.” Those words ignited something inside of me that I can’t even readily explain. I knew that if I had this passion inside of me, how many other women had it too? So I made a decision to help women share their stories and package it into a book!

And so, my journey began….

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’ve been the corporate girl; from banking & finance, to healthcare, to administration, to telecommunications, I’ve done it all. But nothing brings me joy quite like being able to use my gift of creativity… ok, maybe Pastoring Youth—but that’s a whole ‘nother story! Let’s just say, I am a LOVER OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND ALL THINGS CREATIVE!

I am the kind of girl who loves to see people happy, whole, and fully operating in their gifts and being a Creative Consultant allows me the space to do that!

I encounter women regularly who know that they have a story to tell, but are unsure of the “how”. This is where I step in! I want others to know if they have a story to tell, I can assist them with putting it on paper. I offer both editing and ghostwriting services.

What sets me a part from the rest? Well, I don’t really like comparisons, but I can tell you one thing that sets me a part: I am passionate about the work that I do! I know that it’s one of my assignments here in the earth and that brings me a tremendous amount of joy! Can’t you tell?!?!?

How did you build your audience on social media?

To be quite honest, my social media presence is still growing. But what has worked for me over the years is authenticity and transparency. What I quickly realized is that my audience wasn’t/isn’t expecting “perfection” from me. They are, however, expecting me to show up as my authentic (and flawed) self. That has sustained my growth and is what continues to expand my reach.

My advice to those just starting out? Be You! Show up as your authentic self and your target audience will love you and appreciate it. Trust me on this! There are enough “highlight reels” floating around on social media. In my experience, I’ve found that most people want to see someone who’s like them, but still has the courage to show up and kill it! Every time!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Whew! This hits home!

I never knew how resilient I was until I had to make a decision to LIVE after the loss of my mother. Three months after my book was released (2017), my mom abruptly passed away. And suddenly, NOTHING else mattered. Not a book release party. A book tour. Book signings. Nothing. There I was in the midst of my “winning season” and I didn’t know if I could (or wanted to) go on without the presence of my biggest supporter and cheerleader. I didn’t want to live, much less write or “create.” So, for a while I just existed. Just going through the motions….

But God! *hallelujah*
Through much prayer, determination, faith, community and a really dope therapist, I’ve been able to recover and now I’m back, more resilient than ever!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.iamlatashiarenee.com
• Instagram: @LatashiaRenee
• Facebook: Latashia Renee

Image Credits
TAS Photography Jazz em Up Photography