We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Leatrice Woody a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Leatrice , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

A1. The idea came from a deeply personal and painful experience that forever changed my life. Years ago, I owned a thriving salon business. One day, in what should have been a safe space, a beloved client was tragically shot and killed during a service session—right in front of me. That moment shattered my sense of safety and assigned me, a new purpose.
In the aftermath, I wrestled with grief, anger, and confusion. But over time, I felt called to do something greater—something that would honor my life and help prevent that kind of trauma for others. That calling led me to become a police officer, where I served for over 20 years. Through that work, I saw the disconnect between law enforcement and the communities they were meant to serve, especially in neighborhoods hurting the most.The Not Without Love Foundation was born from that tension—out of a desire to bridge the gap between officers and community members, and to lead with emotional intelligence, compassion, and purpose. It’s more than just an organization; it’s a mission rooted in pain, healed by purpose, and fueled by love.

A2. After retiring from the Chicago Police Department following more than two decades of dedicated service, I was ready to chase a new dream. I had plans—big ones. I imagined myself living abroad, maybe in Thailand or Italy, finally embracing peace and freedom after years of working in some of the highest-crime districts in the country. I rented out my condo, gave away my winter clothes, and proudly declared, “Thailand or Italy, here I come!”
But as the saying goes, if you want to make God laugh, make a plan.
One day, while scrolling through the Mindvalley app, I came across an infomercial for their coaching program that posed three powerful questions:

If you had all the time, money, and resources in the world, what would you be doing?

Who would be there with you?

What would you contribute to the world—what would your legacy be?

Those questions stopped me in my tracks. I thought deeply, and my answer was simple yet profound:
“If I had all the time and resources, I’d turn off my phone, ask God for a message, and write a book.”
Just like that, something shifted. As much as I wanted to escape, I couldn’t ignore the reality I was leaving behind—the violence, the trauma, the communities still suffering. Guilt crept in… I thought about my fellow officers still out there facing the darkness, and the citizens living in the midst of it. That dream of running away? It came to a full stop.
I had an epiphany.
God placed something heavy and beautiful on my heart: The message of love—Not Without Love. Without love for Him, for ourselves, or for one another, the darkness will never lift.
That’s how my Amazon bestselling book, Not Without Love: 7 Tasks to Check-Off was born. This book is more than a message—it’s a tool for officers and community members alike, offering hope, laughter, love, and resources to deal with the struggles we all face daily.
And with that book came the next step in the calling: The Not Without Love Foundation. A space created to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Our mission is to foster mutual understanding, trust, and cooperation through impactful community events, emotional intelligence training, and programs designed to heal and uplift both sides of the badge.
This is my contribution.
This is my legacy.
And it is Not Without Love.

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?

A1. Hello loves, I’m Leatrice Woody, a proud Chicago native with a lifelong passion for service, creativity, and transformation. My journey spans across entrepreneurship, public service, innovation, and community empowerment—and through every chapter, my goal has remained the same: to serve with heart and impact lives through love and purpose.
My entrepreneurial spirit sparked early—I opened my first candy store in my grandmother’s kitchen at just nine years old. That passion only grew, leading me to become a licensed nail technician and instructor, a title I still hold proudly today. In 2003, I invented and launched a nail product called Steady Gel N It, followed by my natural spa product line, B&G, in 2013.
In 2001, I began investing in real estate and have since developed, rehabbed, and flipped nearly a dozen properties in Chicago and Georgia. I also opened a grocery store to support underserved neighborhoods and owned three salons and spas, including one in Allstate’s North brook headquarters under my MBE/WBE certification.
My life took a powerful turn in 1999 when I joined the Chicago Police Department, serving with courage and compassion for over two decades, including in some of the city’s most challenged districts. During my time on the force, I served as a school officer at CICS Ralph Ellison High School (2011–2013), where I founded JUMP (Journey to Unite and Motivate People)—a mentorship club for young girls.
From 2012 to 2017, I hosted a talk show called Can You Handle the Truth through Living Clean Entertainment, using storytelling, humor, and live entertainment to inspire personal growth. I’ve also proudly served as a life coach since 2003, and in 2023, I became a Certified Business Coach and launched Blue Heart Coaching, helping first responders and entrepreneurs pursue purpose-driven lives and businesses.
In 2023, after retiring from the force, I published my Amazon bestselling book, Not Without Love: 7 Tasks to Check-Off. The book sparked the founding of The Not Without Love Foundation, where I now serve as Founder and CEO. Our mission is to bridge the gap between law enforcement and communities through emotional intelligence training, community events, and education. We empower citizens to understand their rights and equip officers with tools for growth—including financial literacy, stress management, and spiritual wellness through God’s love.
I’ve also been an active volunteer and donor, supporting causes like the Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, Greater Chicago Food Depository, and the 15th District CAPS community programs. I’m a proud member of Living Word Christian Center under Pastor Bill Winston, and a long-standing member of the Fraternal Order of Police (since 1999).
I am also the proud inventor of Buff & Go, a patented and trademarked portable nail salon product that’s now used around the world. Above all, I am a woman of faith, purpose, and vision—and my mission is simple: to serve, to uplift, and to lead others into lives of love, resilience, and lasting impact.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

It was late one Saturday cold winter’s night after already working 12 hours. I was exhausted, longing for a hot shower, and the comforts of my well deserved bed. When one of my VIP clients, Nikki, called asking if I could do her and her boyfriend Renzo’s nails because they were heading out to a party that night. I said it was late, I had a long day and night already. She said they really needed them done, and they had been running around all day. Her with a hair appointment and some last minute shopping. Him with his regular standing massage appointment and a final fitting with his tailor. These two were like hood royalty. They wore the flyest threads, mostly rocking one of a kind clothing they designed themselves that rocked their names on the name tags.

These two were the epitome of real black love in the hood. Their boss styles were admired by all. These two were what I call my VIP’s. They paid well and tipped even better. If I wanted to get myself home before midnight and help these two get to the New Year’s Eve party before the ball dropped, I would need two sets of hands instead of one.  I asked one of my nail technicians, Ayesha, if she minded staying to do her nails while I did his nails. The other nail technician, Shirley, was just heading out the door as we were speaking, and everyone else had already left for the evening. Therefore, it would only be Ayesha and I remaining in my salon. She said that would be okay. Ayesha, who was 19 years old, was the youngest and the sweetest of all my nail techs. She was extremely smart, came from a good Christian family. She had a soft calming voice with big brown eyes and the cutest smile. Ayesha was petite and tall like a beautiful ballerina with caramel radiant skin and medium length hair. She was always willing to stay late with me, I so loved her for that.  Fifteen minutes later, they both had arrived. As always, they were dressed to impress. They wore matching full length black diamond mink fur coats. When Renzo’s coat was off, his black custom tailored suit was revealed. Under the suit he wore a high collard white silk shirt, that was fit to perfection. It had red paisley around the collar, and it hugged his nicely pumped chest and ripped arms. The shirt was followed by diamond cufflinks on his wrist which were emblazoned with the letter R. He donned an exquisite Rolex watch to seal any doubts of his position.

All of this was topped off with his black and red paisley Mauri Italian leather shoes. With each smooth step he took, a glimpse was provided of the cleverly placed silk red paisley print inside his suit jacket; which solidified that the real boss was in the building. Renzo was a charismatic and classy man. He was 5’11 and all muscle. He had a dark chocolate complexion with dark brown eyes. He had jet black shiny eyebrows, and jet black hair; which he wore in a low cut fade with small silky waves always lined precisely. You would of thought he could have been mixed with Italian or from the islands or something. Renzo wasn’t the type of guy you messed around with at any time. When he spoke it sounded like he could have been from a mob crime family. He had a heavy but smooth and manly no nonsense voice. The mere sound of his voice would put a tremble in yours. When he spoke he often had a slight grin that was sexy and mysterious, looking like he just stepped out of a GQ magazine. They both looked, walked, talked and smelled like truck loads of money. Nikki, who was a true goddess, graced us all with her confident walk and alluring smile that was unforgettable to both men and women. She was not only gorgeous; she was savvy, witty and incredibly sexy without even trying to be. It was in her DNA. Her mother and all three of her sisters were all blessed with bodies from heaven. They all had impeccable golden honey colored skin, full lips, dimples, high check bones and hair that reached the center of their backs.

Everything looked good on Nikki, including this stunning, custom, red silk off the shoulder paisley mini dress that caressed her Coca-Cola body. Her dress highlighted her nicely inherited toned legs. Undoubtedly this dress forced all eyes down to her Versace pumps, only a super model could wear successfully. After admiring them both by telling them how good they looked Ayesha took their coats and we both quickly got started. Twenty to twenty-five minutes later, one of Shirley’s clients was knocking at the door. Ayesha, who was closer to the door, asked if I wanted to let him in. I looked up and said, “That was Shirley’s client.” He had just got his nails done on Thursday, and Shirley was done for the night. She said once again in her soft- spoken voice, “Do you want me to open the door?” I hesitated and then said, “Ok, let him in so I can see what he wants.” At which time, Shirley’s client came in and sat in the seating area behind the client whose nails I was doing. Ayesha immediately locked the door behind him. I stated to him, “Your nail tech, Shirley, is gone for the night already.” He said, “Awww, man, I needed her to fix my nails. I messed up a few.” Ron, a quiet and seemly shy guy, who was a nice looking light skinned man in his early thirties. He was around 5’7 and had a medium build. He wore glasses and had on a black cap, black leather Pelle Pelle jacket, a colorful Coogi sweater, blue jeans and black Timberlands. I said, “She will be back on Tuesday; you can come back and get them done then.” He then got up, walked around me to the pop machine and got a pop. Then he sat down behind my client Renzo who was getting his nails done and drank the pop. My VIP client, Renzo, did not even look up or make eye contact with the man who had just entered the salon. This was so out of character for him. We all went back to paying attention to what we were doing when we heard the swish sound of the door opening. I looked up to see what was going on because Shirley’s client Ron didn’t say he was leaving out. It was our safety protocol to unlock and lock the door behind every client and worker because we were in an area that required it. Our motto on the westside was, “Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.’’ Well, I can honestly tell you this: I was nowhere near ready for what was about to happen next. As I looked up towards the door, I was immediately drawn to the biggest, blackest, gun I had ever seen before, being pulled from a waistband. This unknown, tall, black, skinny man with eyelids so big, as if two fists had tried to close them up permanently or he had not slept for weeks, was headed straight for me. He looked so scary, fearless, lifeless and dangerous all at the same time. As Shirley’s client Ron was exiting out the front door, I will never forget the cold-hearted and deceitful smirk on Ron’s face as he nodded his head to the evil, tall, thin monster of a man in slow motion towards my direction. This man stood around 6’1. He was wearing a black skull cap, black jacket, and black jeans. I couldn’t stop thinking how this client of Shirley’s had set me up to get robbed. I had all the cash money from each operator in my drawer and my money from all my clients in my apron that I was wearing. I kept thinking as he aggressively approached my station, I should have not taken these last two clients. Now this monster is going to be walking out of here with all my money. I then got out of my head and said out loud, “Awww, man, he set me up.’’ At which time, Renzo turned to his left while I was still holding his right hand. The robber pointed the gun. He unleashed four unforgettable and extremely loud rounds; “Boom, boom, boom boom!,”shooting Renzo four times precisely in his chest. My hand slipped away from Renzo’s hand. My eyes followed in slow motion as his well-dressed muscular body fell to the salon floor. The shooter then turned to the front door as Ayesha and the girlfriend of my client, franticly knocked over chairs and or tables to make their way to the back of the salon. I hysterically made my way for the basement stairs. Once I got halfway down the stairs and no one was following me, it dawned on me that as I was running towards the basement. I saw the shooter heading towards the front door.  

I then headed back up the stairs, staying low on my knees, I peaked my head around the corner of the basement door to be sure the shooter was gone. I then ran as fast as I could to lock the door. Then I ran fast past Renzo, who was on the floor, to push in the panic button to my security system as quickly as possible – as this was the fastest way to get help from the police and medical assistance. Renzo needed help. Once I knew help was on the way, I ran back to him laying on the floor. I held his hand and said, “Just hold on Renzo, just hold on. Help is on the way.” His girlfriend called for help while screaming and crying. Ayesha was in total shock and couldn’t move.  Renzo was speaking softly. I put my ear to his mouth and heard him say, “Trice, I’m tired. Trice I am just so Tired.’’ I was yelling, “Renzo, just hold on, just hold on for me.” At which time, he took a profound and super deep breath before closing his eyes. His girlfriend was holding him for dear life while screaming louder and crying uncontrollably because he was not just her boyfriend but the father of her child.  I became numb as I tried to process this horrific and senseless tragedy. It seemed as though I had left my own body, floated to the ceiling, and was looking down at everything and everybody. I then heard sirens. They sounded far away. I could hear them getting closer and closer. Finally, the police and medical had arrived. I found myself on autopilot. I stopped floating and ran again to unlock and open the door while pointing at Renzo on the salon floor. “Please help him,” I said.  Renzo was not responding. They checked for a pulse, put him on the gurney. They rushed him away in the ambulance as his girlfriend, the mother of his child, held on to one side. Still frozen in fear, Ayesha fell to the floor, shaking uncontrollably. I tried to comfort her while the police were trying to make sense of what happened. They asked us if we were okay, if we needed medical attention. Still shocked, Ayesha muddles, “I just want to go home.” And she started to cry profusely. The officers asked us to give them a few more minutes of our time so they could find out a little more information for the report. They promised they would get us home soon.  Being that there was no blood to be seen anywhere, no bullet casings or shooter in sight, I had wondered briefly if something horrific really did happen. Did I experience this unimaginable event?. Or has working too many long salon nights got me tripping? Or have they for sure got the best of me and caught me slipping?  After Ayesha’s fiancé came to pick her up and take her home, I stayed there with the police answering questions and providing whatever information I could. Then I heard the detective on thecase radio back to the officers state that Renzo didn’t make it. The officer looked at me and said, “I am so sorry you all had to experience and witness this.”  I silently gazed away looking to where my client had been sitting and then looking at where he last laid. I was now realizing that it really did take place. How could they kill my client while I was holding his hand? How could they leave behind three witnesses to tell the story?  The next day I couldn’t stop crying. I was still in disbelief. How could they do this to me in my salon, kill my client? Who do they think they are to tear down what I built? I was now angry as hell, punching at the air as hard and as fast and as strong as I could. I was now envisioning punching Shirley’s client and that scary monster, as much and as hard as I could. I was now repeating this over and over like a crazy person. How could they do this to me? How could they kill my client like that? How could they tear down what I built? The gang leader who runs things over there had told me I would be safe there and no one would disrespect me. I fought even more at the air.  I began to hear a loud, obnoxious, and unfamiliar ringing sound. Ringgggggggggggggg! It seemed to go on non-stop. I began to solidify the boxing ring I was imaging I was fighting in.  “In this corner, weighing 110 pounds, 5’6 and sick of yo mess, Trice Woody! And in the other corner, the low down, I hope you go to jail your entire life, dirty evil dogs.’’

Ringggggggggggggg! I look around confusingly, searching for this sound. I picked up the telephone only to hear a dial tone. I discovered the sound coming from the intercom speaker on the wall. I think before answering, who could this be? No one knows where I live. I never, ever have company. I answered, “Hello, who is this?’’ The voice on the other end replied “Tracey, your sister.” “My sister? How do you know where I live? ‘’ I asked. She said, “I remembered one time you mentioned the name of this place to mother.” What are you doing here? “ I asked. She responded “Shirley and I are both here. She wanted to come with me.” I shouted, “ You brought her to my home? You better leave here right now damn it, before I call the police!” I was so exhausted at this point I felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. All the hurt and pain was playing over and over in my head. I felt like my dreams had been crushed, and the legacy of my good name and business were all ruined. I cried, and I couldn’t eat or get out of bed for days, and then weeks passed by.  I question everything: my faith and my God. How do I go on? Should I reopen? I couldn’t believe this had happened to me. I play by the rules. I’m not a bad person. I go to church, I pay my tithes, and I take my grandmother, who also pays her tithes. I shouted to God, “So why me Lord? I know all money is not good money, God, but I’m doing the best I can. I’m from the projects, and I made a legit business for myself, so why me?”  After weeks of having that pity party, something had dawned on me. Remember I said why would the shooter leave behind three witnesses? I had a revelation. The word says in Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.’’ The nerve I had shouting out to God like that! He had, after all, spared my life. A man had died. His life was completely over, and we were still here. Then I recalled Psalms 139:16 which says, “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” God loves us and knows us so well. God knew who would be staying and who would be leaving.

 TO THE FAMILY OF MY CLIENT, I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. After two weeks had passed, I had found the strength, the courage, and the love of God to go back to the salon to take back what was rightfully mine because it says in Ephesians 6:11-12, “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” I had arrived to my salon which showed no signs of the murder that took place. A friend of mine and his son had cleaned everything up. Everything looked like new. As I walked to the back of the salon heading for my office door, I heard the salon phone ring. I picked up and said, “Hello, Steady Buffin & Hair n Motion.” The caller said in a deep raspy voice “B**** it’s a bomb in there.” Now, the bomb threats and threats on my life were starting.

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

A1. No matter how deep the regret, how often you replay the moment, or how much you second-guess your choices—God already knows the plans for your life. And even in the most tragic of circumstances, He will work all things together for your good. Trust His timing, even when the pain tries to convince you otherwise

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nwlfoundation.org
• Instagram: @leatricewoody.nwl
• Facebook: facebook/Leatrice.Woody.7
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leatrice-woody