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

Hi LaTasia , thanks for joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

November 2019 I made the decision to leave a job and take a break from working to hear from God. I heard a call to rest and to leave where I was working. I worked in fitness studios and had my own wellness/fitness business. I had over 10 years experience in the health and fitness industry. I loved and was good at what I did from teaching classes, managing, and coaching others. After having my second child I attempted to maintain working for a boutique fitness studio brand and still build my own business. It was exhausting and I began to realize my schedule could not be maintained. I taught classes, trained/coached other teachers, took my oldest to and from school, then to dance, while caring for my second child and this list of duties went on. I knew I could not continue at that pace but was unclear what I would do next. Not working or staying at home was never a thought or desire. I started to face the reality that it was a challenge balancing home life, working, my self care was abandoned and building my business was inconsistent. I started to feel like God was nudging me to “move on” from the place I worked. I felt I was holding up progression and I no longer belonged there but wasn’t quite ready to move on. I love the company, people I worked with and had invested years into this company, but there didn’t seem to be a path of growth for me. I was faced with the choice to stay stagnant or trust what God has for me in the future. When I prayed I would hear specific words that would take me to bible scriptures. Two examples, first I heard dry place. I searched google and read over several verses to ultimately get confirmation that I was in a dry place. Second I heard God calling me to Him. Matthew 11:28-30 resonated in my soul in a way I could not ignore. I gave my notice a month out with tears, uncertainty, yet peace, and on my last day relieved. I felt a big part of my life ended but I needed to let go. I wasn’t good at letting go. I am a planner and recovering control freak. I had plans on that path but the shift into this new season there was no plan. Nonetheless I felt compelled to take that step of faith. The rest period was restoring, drew me closer to God and challenged my family. Financial struggles arose but my husband and I thought it was worth my mental health. We planned to wait until January to discuss whether I would go back to work and where. Between me giving my notice and my last day my husband started a new job with more pay, so in January we decided for me to wait until the end of February for me to return to work. We had financial wiggle room now, we thought. Once February 2020 arrived I started to make plans to return to a new fitness studio part time, refocused to teach classes again and get back in shape from having our second child. I had an interview the weekend our daughter was sent home for two weeks from school. We all know how life went for the world from there. For my family specifically, let me give you a few highlights From then to now, I did not return to work; my husband loss his new job: I started homeschooling our daughter and still homeschool; I closed my wellness business and did not return to my fitness career; I started a faith based apparel company; we sold our home; changed states to move in with my parents; my husband started a mobile car detailing business; and all while seeking God as well as being lead by Him. This journey has challenged my identity, stripped me of security in people, places and my world given identity. My heart has shifted to what is important to God and I live to serve Jesus by advancing the kingdom of God. Through the God given purpose planned for me I have goals but trust in God over myself. It’s not so much a risk as it is a journey with my Lord, but it felt like a risk. The world teaches us to make a plan and go after it with all cylinders burning. That path left me feeling empty and depleted. God’s plan has given me joy, fulfillment and endless hope. God will ask you to trust him with your life and that sometimes means making steps not knowing exactly where you are headed. It was difficult and at times still hard to give up the driver seat in my life. However even throughout some challenges and many doubtful moments Jesus proves to be good and faithful. I walk in faith toward my calling, living in my purpose to encourage and serve others. My family is the first priority and my first ministry, but I feel purpose in everyday life. Before coming to this place I was chasing an end result, looking for success to validate me. It was never enough and I did not feel like I was enough. My identity was in the success and accolades. As I missed my goals on the self set time table, I started to lose confidence. Now I know I am enough right where I am everyday and my identity is in God. I will still achieve great accomplishment but the accomplishments are no longer a defining factor of my worthiness. The story continues…

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi! I am LaTasia. child of God, wife, mother, lover of food, yes I love food, passionate about healing and growing. I hope my walk with Jesus inspires others to walk and walk closer with Jesus knowing you do not have to be perfect yet progress. I advocate for emotional healing through therapy and Jesus. I seek to be a person that meets people with compassion where they are and hopefully encourage them to grow in purpose. My company is By The Spirit Apparel, clothing that testifies for people who endured. We create t-shirts and hoodies with faith based expressions and bible verses. We hope to remind you of the power in God’s words, bring encouragement to those that wear our clothing and the people around them. Maybe one of our items will spark a conversation of encouragement that a person needs. It is important to me that people know I am a believer with a past. I was wild and crazy but Jesus called me and gives me hope as well as unconditional love that is healing. My brand and ministry is evolving. My family is my first priority in this season but I create tools and spaces for learning about God, healing and growing in purpose.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

I use Shopify to sell my apparel. I joined a community that coaches others on starting their own t-shirt brand. This was a site the leader recommended. I believe in coaching and taking advice from wisdom. The gentleman that coaches has proving success so I trusted his recommendation. I like Shopify made it easy to set up and start selling for a low cost and minimum fees. I con could be your limited in website development and fees can add up for apps. At the point I am in in my business the pros out ways the cons.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Other people have been my best resource. My customers have referred others or someone saw their shirt which resulted in a referral. I value my clients and seek to give value even before they purchase from me. I send newsletters by email and share inspiration through social media platforms. I use Shopify to sell my products. Amazon is a great source to reach a lot of people on an established well known platform. I decided against it because I wanted to be able to connect directly with my customers easily. Shopify makes it easy to set up shop without building a website from scratch.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bythespiritllc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/by_the_spiritllc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bythespiritllc

Image Credits
Credit to myself