Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Setoria. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Setoria thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I think I realized I wanted to pursue an artistic path professionally when I began to appreciate my true purpose in life – to spread joy through my music and crafts and to inspire others. I’ve been singing my entire life. When I’m not singing or creating, I feel empty…… incomplete. I would pray to God to please order my steps and help me find my way and it always led to a stage or an opportunity to create. That’s when I knew that this was my purposes in life. It’s my happy place. This encouraged me to get out there and just do it! I’m glad I never stopped. With consistency, I’m finally able to see a profit from my work. It’s amazing to get paid off your creation!

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

God gives us many talents. I believe it’s our responsibility to recognize, tap in to those gifts and use them for good. I’ve always known that I could sing, but never thought it could be something that I could actually DO. I never thought I was that good, I never had anyone to really encourage me, plus, I was very shy with my craft. I’ve always felt different from my friend circle. I was almost embarrassed that I had this gift. I just wanted to be like everyone else so I suppressed it for many years. I began writing poetry as a teenager. When I became an adult, I began to write poetry more often and then learned that I could turn my rhymes into lyrics. I was very intrigued by this so I decided to further explore my hobby of singing and songwriting. I began to gravitate to social circles including other artists and creators. It felt amazing to begin to interact with other people who thought outside the box. To be around people who were motivated by their gifts and not afraid to use them. I’ve tried many times to just focus on a regular career, go to work, make my money, and take care of my family like any other good person, but music and entrepreneurship keep calling me – so I’ve decided to follow. My goal is to become fully independent and to live only off my crafts and creations. I’m getting there!

My music is mostly therapy for me, I write about my feelings and things going on in my life. My hopes are to touch others who may be experiencing the same thing so we can grow and heal together. I want to motivate people to love, to uplift and to live! I’m excited to have earned multiple independent music awards and humbled to have won the 2022 R&B/Soul Single of the Year award for my latest motivational single, “Back 2 Me”, at the Josie Music Awards in Nashville, TN. The Josie Music Awards is the largest independent music awards globally, so this is a huge honor!

My journey has also led me to modeling, acting, and other opportunities to encourage others as an internet radio host.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When COVID hit a few years ago, it totally changed the game for performers. There were no live performances because the world came to a halt. I was blessed to have a 9-5 working from home, but no longer had a way to supplement the rest of my income. The bills didn’t stop so I couldn’t either. The pandemic gave me the quiet time and opportunity to tap into my other crafty talents. I opened an on-line store called KeyElite Boutique where I sold home-made body butters, home fragrance sprays, and launched a motivational t-shirt line. I experienced a fair launch but this new journey of entrepreneurship presented many challenges as a new store owner and caused me to take a pause to reevaluate a few things as an on-line store professional. I am still learning this business, just as I did in the business of music, but KeyElite Boutique will be back on-line soon enough!

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to share my gifts with the world by living my life on PURPOSE!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.setoria.net
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/setoria/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Setoria1/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/setoria-227a83b4/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/setoriathevocal
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Setoriathevocalist

Image Credits
All photos are shot by: Captured by WoodD