We were lucky to catch up with La’Verne Gardiner recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, La’Verne thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights 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.

I was at my former place of employment but I knew it was time to leave. If I am honest it was past time. After prayer and consultation with my husband I submitted my resignation. There was no other job waiting for me, I had not sent out my resume. It was the biggest risk that I had ever taken in my life. I had no plan and still had a mortgage and a child in college. When I left, all I knew was that I liked to help and encourage people especially in the area of setting and meeting goals. I prayed and asked the Lord what was I going to do with that. It didn’t feel like much of an elevator pitch. From that prayer was birthed Hey Sis Empowerment & Resource Centre for Women. A platform dedicated to helping women meet their personal and professional goals through one on one coaching, motivational speaking and workshops. I have been building it since November of 2022. It is a work in progress and sometimes I do think about the safety of a 9 to 5 but I am so happy that I made the decision to take the risk and do what was in my heart to do. I have had 3 successful workshops and opportunities to speak and coach.

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.

Hey Sis Empowerment & Resource Centre Women is focused on helping women meet their personal and professional goals. We offer one on one coaching, motivational speaking and seminars and workshops. Our approach is to first look at what may be holding you back. We find that most times it is not a lack of support, lack of opportunity or finances. It usually is fear and what we are telling ourselves about our selves. Sometimes it is not even a matter of not setting goals. It may be a matter of settling. We teach ourselves to go for less because we don’t believe that we can attain more or deserve more. At Hey Sis we begin to confront those limiting beliefs and retrain the mind to think differently, to approach triggers with tools that help and not hinder us. We believe in shifting the mindset.

The thing that I am most proud of is when a client or a workshop attendee share their progress with me no matter how big or small. Nothing happens until the client or attendee is willing to put in the work. Regardless of how much outside motivation they may receive. The goal is for them to see the value in themselves and despite fear to begin moving in the direction of progress, one step at a time.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I watch Myron Golden podcasts. His approach to being an entrepreneur is practical. He usually is spot on as to why we aren’t doing certain things or what we need to do to grow our business. He prompts you to not only ask if you really want what you say you want but more importantly are you willing to put in the work. He removes the excuses. I also enjoy his videos because he incorporates his faith into his teaching in a very simple way. This demonstrates the applicability of scripture to every day life and business.

I am currently reading The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do and How to Change by Charles Duhigg. This book has been so enlightening in explaining how habits are formed and how we can retrain the brain so that we create habits that help in our growth. It reinforces that change is possible if we commit to putting in the work.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients for me has been speaking engagements. Whether it is a motivational talk or a training in customer service or leadership, they are usually my best source. Typically an attendee will approach me and ask if I offer one on one service or the organizer will recommend me to another colleague.

Contact Info:

• Website: heysisempowerment.com
• Instagram: heysisempowerment
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeySisEmpower
• Linkedin: Hey Sis Empowerment