We were lucky to catch up with Sonya LaRae recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sonya, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.

Wow! I love this questions because I tell everyone, I wish they all could have been raised by my parents. First my parents divorced when I was very young (2 years of age). They always were friends and never had divided standards meaning if I was grounded at home with my mom, and I went to my dad’s I was grounded at his home as well. They always taught me to be ME! Meaning, everyone isn’t going to like you, everyone isn’t going to be your friend, but everyone must respect you because you move with respect, dignity, and honor…

I have taken that and have carried that throughout my life, and I always lead with integrity. You might not like me or be my friend, but everyone that I come in contact with personally or in business respect me. I want to always be the reflection of the great legacy that was put before me with my grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and even my siblings… I come from a rich background and being a proud Latin American is something that is more than my race it’s the life lessons, it’s the stories, and all the things that have been placed in my DNA.

Sonya, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Who Is Sonya LaRae?

Sonya LaRae, was born into a Latin Musical family. Her father was the great Latin bassist, Victor Venegas. Her Mother Myra was one of the first women of color at CBS television-Editor of the script for “Face the Nation.” Surrounded by music and strong powerful women, Sonya came into her own at a very young age. She is a Fashion Psychologist, Lifestyle/Relationship Counselor, Educator, and one of the most dynamic Motivational Speakers, as well as the top business consultant that many high-ranking clients seek out for her wisdom and straightforward way of getting them to win and reach in all facets of their professional careers.

Sonya, is a philanthropist to many causes, especially the Leukemia Lymphoma Society after both of her nieces tragically lost their battle (ages 23&25) in the same year to AML. Sonya’s love and passion motivated her to raise over $275,000 to donate in Eleanor and Desiree’s name, and she is still very active in her role for LLS.

Since 1999 Sonya LaRae, has enjoyed developing her brand, business and client base. She is one of the leading fashion industry insiders with affiliations with some of the leading fashion brands-i.e., Oscar de la Renta, Nicole Miller, Vera Wang, Sisa Design (Couture), Andres Aquino (Couture) and many more. Sonya has had the pleasure of working with some of the hottest A-lister in the industry plus her affiliations with NYFW, Paris Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, Couture Fashion Week, just to name a few allows her to pour in and give her clients a full-spectrum of options. She’s a positive voice amongst the noise and has mentored some of the top women in business, music, and fashion, to strike a healthy balance between life, love, career, family and wardrobe.
Sonya has overcome some major obstacles in her life which has opened her up for motivational speaking. Sonya, was on her way in the music industry and ended up having to have a “minor procedure” which rendered her paralyzed and wheelchair bound for 5.5 (Five and a Half) years. Through all this she never said “Why Me!” She always had a positive outlook and reinvented herself and dedicated herself to her business. From there as they say “the rest is history,” and she has never looked back.

Sonya LaRae, is the face, voice and drive of her company which she takes seriously. She’s dedicated to educating individuals regarding body-type, color-analysis, wardrobe, striking a balance in life, makeup, and signature style-as well as working with each client from the inside out. As of 2023 Sonya has also passed her Certification as a Holistic Health and Wellness Coach.

This is why she can say her company’s slogan with great confidence “Where Everything is Fabulous!”

How did you build your audience on social media?

Let me say Social Media isn’t for the faint of heart… Why? I have learned that your audience doesn’t want to connect with a facade or an empty space that doesn’t have a face, voice, or connection. I’m still rather new in respects to build on social media and I have done this organically.

Meaning we don’t buy like, comments, subscribers nothing – I had to step out from behind the camera and come front and center so my core audience, could/can connect with the decimal of the vibration that I was radiating at. My mother who was my business manager up until she suddenly passed away on March 19, 2022 – Always said, “the public needs to see and hear you Sonya. You have so much to give to them and they need to know you are here for them as a light in the darkness.” I have taken that to heart and I think that is why we are growing on social media and our presence as a company and brand are truly apart of the LIKE -KNOW – & TRUST FACTOR!!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I think the biggest thing that shows my resilience and that there isn’t anything I cannot conquer – Is my road to being able to walk again after being wheelchair bound for over five and a half years. I learned that in that space and place I need to learn compassion, not so much for myself, but for others and in their journeys… I was young and had so much going for myself, and I don’t believe well honestly I know I didn’t always have the right appreciation and I wasn’t always as compassionate to others and what they may have faced or continue to face.

I still have challenges due to the injury to my spine, but I never allow it to dictate who I am, who I want to be, how I want to show up for myself and others. When you think of “RESILIENCE” it means you have to recover quickly, that means you have to be willing to condition your mindset in a different way that will empower you and will you to do what many may or may not think you can do. I am as strong as I tell myself to be, I am as weak as I allow myself to be… BUT – I am determined to always stand for who I am and who I will always rise to be in my life (personally and professionally).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lapazimageconsultant.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lapazimageing
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lapazimageing
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonyalarae
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/LaPazConsultant
• Other: Whispers In A Bottle Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/797mOR6b6ixGE2BwU9fI9B?si=7VqzUEAMT0y1WEZdzktgQQ or https://www.blogtalkradio.com/whispersinabottle

Image Credits
Lapazimageing