We were lucky to catch up with Latifah Abdur recently and have shared our conversation below.

Latifah , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

Yes, Elite Vivant is dedicated to serving underserved communities, specifically focusing on BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and economically disadvantaged individuals. We’ve partnered with Novation Lab, a community incubator located in San Francisco, CA, powered by The Good Rural and The Dream Keepers Initiative, to effectively address the unique needs of these communities.

Novation Lab plays a vital role in providing essential resources, including free computer access, career resources, and business support, to individuals who often face systemic challenges and economic disparities.

Through our partnership with Novation Lab, we offer a 10-week Brand Bootcamp program designed to empower entrepreneurs. This program equips them with the knowledge and skills needed to develop their brands, market their products or services, and build sustainable businesses.

Additionally, we organize Community Headshot Days, where we provide free professional photos to help individuals present themselves effectively in their job searches or entrepreneurial endeavors.

Our commitment to serving these underserved communities is driven by our belief in equal opportunities and our desire to make a positive impact. We recognize that talent and potential are universal, but access to resources and opportunities is not always equal.

By collaborating with nonprofits like Novation Lab, we aim to bridge these gaps, empower individuals, and contribute to a more equitable and inclusive future.

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.

Hello, I’m Latifah Abdur, the driving force behind Elite Vivant. My entrepreneurial evolution began in 2007 when I stepped into the beauty world as a makeup artist and photographer. Fast forward to 2016, and I decided to blend my makeup artistry and photography skills with the world of web design. Why, you ask? Well, it was because entrepreneurs were craving not only captivating visuals to make their online presence pop but also stunning websites. It was a match made in heaven.

I embarked on this journey, armed with nothing but pure passion. I had to roll up my sleeves and teach myself the ins and outs of web design, branding, and marketing. Shoutout to the experts I learned from at what I call “YouTube University.” They were the unsung heroes responsible for imparting 99% of what empowered me to level up.

And so, in 2016, I founded Elite Vivant, fueled by a deep commitment to amplify the missions, visions, and values of service-based entrepreneurs. We’re talking about the coaches, the consultants, the financial advisors, the health and wellness practitioners, and the nonprofit leaders. Our mission? To provide expert guidance, craft compelling branding, design websites that leave a positive feeling, and execute marketing strategies that get results.

From day one, our hearts have remained steadfast in serving visionaries, change-makers, and impact leaders. Why? Because we share a common story. We understand the passion and dedication poured into your work because it’s also our story.

You know – the late nights, the dreams that keep you awake, and the constant juggling of work-life balance. The world of entrepreneurship isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. We face challenges that sometimes feel overwhelming. Unsure of where to begin, Fear of the unknown, doubting our value, insufficiently funded, lack of online presence, unclear strategies – trust me, I’ve been there too. It’s in overcoming these hurdles that our true strength shines.

So, what exactly do we do at Elite Vivant? We create a space where joy and impact are as important as profits. We don’t just tackle problems; we transform them into golden opportunities.

What sets us apart is our comprehensive, integrated approach. We provide a holistic solution that aligns research, strategy, branding, web design, workflow optimization, and personal branding enhancement into a unified, commanding Brand Powerhouse presence.

Here’s a glimpse of what we offer:
• Brand Navigator: Embark on a transformative journey with our Strategy Sessions and VIP Day(s). We help you chart a clear path to brand success, helping you be proactive and not reactive.
• Signature Spark: It’s more than just branding identity; it’s crafting a holistic experience. This includes web design, business tool setup, and workflow optimization.
• Brand Powerhouse Partnership: A dynamic collaboration that powers your brand forward. With our monthly services, we become an extension of your team, providing the energy, strategy, and resources your brand needs to thrive consistently.
• Brand Bootcamp: A 10-week program to empower entrepreneurs like you through vision, launch, and beyond.

Our proudest moments are born from the transformative impact our clients experience – reduced stress, empowered assertiveness, rekindled purpose, meaningful contributions to their communities, personal growth, and lasting legacies.

From the first spark of an idea to the moment you make an impact, we’re with you every step of the way.
Let’s embark on this extraordinary journey together and let your brilliance light up the world.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

You know, unlearning that whole “I must do everything myself” mindset was a game-changer for me and my business. It’s like I finally gave myself permission to breathe, and, believe me, my business took a deep breath of fresh air, too! So, here’s the backstory: I didn’t think that being a true entrepreneur meant I needed to juggle everything. It’s just that I didn’t know how to ask for help. For the longest time, I was in my comfort zone, doing things on my own. After a while, that comfort zone felt more like squeezing size 11 feet into a size 6 pair of heels – uncomfortable.

One day, I stumbled upon a profound quote by Maya Angelou: “Forgive yourself for not knowing what you didn’t know before you learned it.” That hit me hard. I was so immersed in my business that I couldn’t see the big picture – my strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats were all a bit of a blur.
Once I wrapped my head around this, things started to change. Big time. My business began to soar. I started to build my team with other experts in areas where I wasn’t a ninja, my web designs got sleeker, my marketing got sharper, and my clients got even happier. It was like I had this incredible support squad taking my business to new heights.
But it didn’t stop there. I started to dream bigger and supercharged my mission. It wasn’t just about lightening my workload anymore but multiplying our impact.

Ditching the “I can do it all” act boosted my business and opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities. It’s about working together, multiplying our missions, and creating real change. Who knew unlearning could be so liberating?

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Our branding and marketing agency thrives by teaming up with experts who serve the same entrepreneurial community but in different roles. This approach has worked wonders in attracting new service-based entrepreneurs and nonprofit clients, completely changing how we grow.

I’ve always believed in the power of collaboration like the classic song “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers – you know, the one that goes, “I just might have a problem that you’ll understand. We all need somebody to lean on.”
Collaborating with these complementary professionals helped us create a holistic service ecosystem that benefits us and, most importantly, our shared clientele by adding more value and helping them reach their goals efficiently.

We also have a fantastic referral program that’s all about trust and loyalty- think of it like this: when a friend recommends a restaurant, you trust their judgment, right? That recommendation carries significant weight. Our clients are our biggest fans; when they point their contacts our way, it’s like having a trusted friend suggest our services—helping them build strong, lasting relationships and positioning them as go-to experts who add value.

Beyond providing outstanding service and experience for the person they’ve referred, we go the extra mile to express our gratitude. We gift the referrer a special token of appreciation: the Boss Up Collection Candle, a collaborative creation with our friends at Lavender in Luxe – https://lavenderinluxe.com/customer-client-appreciation-gifts/. They specialize in making our client-gifting experience personal, unique, and hassle-free.

In addition to the candle, referrers enjoy exclusive perks, including early access to our VIP day calendar and a referral payout. It’s our way of saying thank you for being a part of our community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://elitevivant.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elitevivant/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EliteVivant
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latifahabdur/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@elitevivant