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

Latoya , appreciate you joining us today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

The first dollar I earned from my creative work was completely unexpected—and honestly, it changed everything for me. I had less than 3,000 followers on Instagram at the time and didn’t even consider myself a content creator. I was just posting videos for fun, sharing bits and pieces of my life with no real strategy behind it. Then one day, I got a DM from Shapellx. They wanted to collaborate. All I had to do was post a video wearing their shapewear, and they’d pay me $100.

I remember reading that message and thinking, “Wait… me?” I didn’t think brands noticed people with small followings, and I definitely didn’t know you could make real money just by showing up as yourself online. It was right before COVID hit, and that $100 felt like a million—not because of the money, but because someone saw value in what I was already doing. That moment lit a spark in me. It was the start of a new chapter, and it gave me the confidence to take content creation seriously. I’ll never forget how it felt to be noticed, appreciated, and paid—all for being myself.

Latoya , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For those who may not know me, I’m Latoya Lashae—a digital creator, cake designer, solo travel enthusiast, and the founder of Plush Tingz LLC, a plus-size streetwear brand, and Kerry’s Kakes, my custom cake business. I wear a lot of hats, but at the heart of everything I do is a passion for inspiring women to embrace self-love, take up space unapologetically, and do what makes them happy.

My creative journey started organically. I was simply sharing my life—fashion looks, travel adventures, cakes I designed—and people connected with it. Over time, what started as a personal outlet became a platform for inspiration and empowerment. I realized I could use my voice, my story, and my creativity to help women feel seen, beautiful, and celebrated.

With Plush Tingz, I provide bold, edgy, confidence-boosting apparel for plus-size women who want fashion that speaks to their personality. I also offer 1:1 virtual styling consultations to help women find the perfect outfit for their special occasions—whether it’s a birthday, baecation, or just a moment to feel their best. My goal is to help clients express themselves through fashion and feel confident doing it.

With Kerry’s Kakes, I bring custom cakes to life for special occasions—everything from luxe birthday cakes to viral heart cakes that spark joy. And through my Solo Dating with Latoya Lashae series, I’m building a self-care movement that encourages women to take themselves out, create meaningful memories, and celebrate their own company.

What sets me apart is that everything I do is deeply personal. I don’t just create for the sake of content—I create from experience, from a place of authenticity and care. I know what it feels like to crave representation, to want to feel beautiful in clothes, to want to explore the world solo, or to treat yourself to something special just because. I bring that understanding into every brand, every post, and every project.

I’m most proud of how my work impacts people. When someone tells me they booked a solo trip because of my video, or they felt confident wearing a jogger set from my brand, or that a cake I made brought tears to someone’s eyes—that’s what keeps me going.

What I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know is this: my brand is rooted in joy, self-love, and creativity. Whether you’re watching one of my reels, ordering a cake, booking a style consultation, or rocking a Plush Tingz outfit, you’re tapping into a movement that celebrates you—your beauty, your dreams, your journey.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Honestly, building my audience on social media felt like a fluke at first. I had been posting videos for what felt like forever—sometimes they’d get a few hundred views, sometimes less—but I didn’t really understand how or why the algorithm worked. I was just sharing content, sometimes consistently, other times inconsistently, even when it felt like no one was watching.

Then one day, I decided to really study what was working on my Explore Page. I looked at a few posts that had the highest views and noticed two consistent things: the videos were super short—less than 5 to 7 seconds—and they had long, engaging captions that offered useful or relatable information. So I tried that formula myself… and after just a few posts, one went viral.

What made that moment even better was that I already had tons of content on my page. So when new people found me, they had plenty to scroll through and connect with. It wasn’t overnight success—it was the result of me showing up, even when the numbers didn’t show it.

My biggest piece of advice to anyone just starting out is this: be authentic and stay consistent. You never know which post will be the one that takes off, but if you’re building a foundation with real content and genuine energy, when that moment comes, you’ll be ready. Don’t wait for the audience to show up—show up for yourself first.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

To be honest, NFTs seem pretty pointless to me. I’ve heard a lot about them, but I’ve never really understood the value or appeal. From the outside looking in, it feels more like a trend than something with long-term impact—especially for creators like me who focus on tangible products, experiences, and genuine community. Maybe there’s more to it that I just haven’t explored, but right now, it’s not something that aligns with my work or interests.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/Latoya.Johnson?utm_source=linktree_admin_share
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latoya.lashae/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9JyLdWbbPhn_K9rmuV-hhw
• Other: https://www.allplushtingz.com