We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sydney Wilson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sydney below.
Sydney , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
If you are from Atlanta you often wonder why people are “outside” while you are at work. It is what everyone at work says they “wish’ they could do. My name is Sydney Lashon since the age of 16, I have worked. I have had so many jobs it is not even funny. I enjoyed being independent but did not enjoy staying at a job for too long. I thought something was wrong with me. As I got older it hit me that it is not the work it is who I am working for. I hated having to be under someone else’s control. I knew this wasn’t “it” for me. In college, I started doing everything you can think of. I have done lashes, nails, door dash, nannying, etc just so I can have time freedom. And over the years, I would always hear “Stay in your lane”. I never thought much of it until I started getting older and had failed at everything. I realized I needed to make something of my passion. If you do not know, my passions include women’s and children’s mental/physical wellness. Men, I care about you all too! I began posting workout videos during COVID and using what I had to create my athleisure wear line promoting the growth of women inside and out. I was happy and excited to do something I loved! This was my senior year of college by the way, so after graduating I also wanted to use my degree. I began working as a registered behavioral tech with autistic children. The job was so rewarding and challenging. So here I was a business owner and 9-5 workers. I became exhausted, my first RISK came into play when I quit my 9-5 after a year of being there to pursue entrepreneurship. For the first few weeks, I felt amazing living my best life and making my schedule. But, I skipped so many steps which led to the risk of becoming a failure. I went in with no plan, just vibes. I told myself I had to choose between being a corporate girlie or a boss babe. Taking that risk led me right back to the same job, a paused athleisure wear line, and paused training. Yes, having no plan was a big part of it, also my confidence put the icing on the cake. God put me right back where I started to show me I did not have to choose between one or the other. I needed to believe that I can be and do all things. Another year has passed and I reached my ” it is time for me to leave again” mark. This time I did not want to be impulsive with my risk. I wanted to be smart, have plans, and help. So, I looked at what I had and what I could do with it. Here is how I turned a bad risk into a good risk.
While creating my plans of rebranding my athleisure wear company I looked for resources and reminded myself there is no need to rush. I had to remind myself of the longevity and not the recognition. I took time out every day at work or after work to work on my brand and get help from others in rebranding. With my training business, instead of quitting my job and showing up at someone’s gym with zero clients, a hope, and a dream. I gathered my options. I toured different gyms to see what I could currently afford and not what I could potentially afford. I put out a waitlist, letting clients know I will be offering services soon so when I was ready to commit I had my clients with me. And finally with my job. I knew leaving would leave me without insurance and a consistent paycheck until I reach my goals. So, I transferred from my company to a job that will allow me the flexibility to grow my business. Yes, all of this sounds so simple but it was not. There were nights I cried being overwhelmed by this risk. There were times I was going to say ” F it” and not stay the course because I was impatient. There were times I looked at my bank account and said, ” Sydney you are in over your head”. But with God, support, my partner, friends, and family I am doing just what I ask for. God always gives you what you ask for and will bring you right back where you started until he is ready for you to have it. Thank you for having me again Voyage!
” In today’s rapidly changing world, the people who are not taking risks are the risk takers.”- Robert T. Kiyosaki
Sydney , 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?
Hello! My name is Sydney Lashon from Decatur, Ga. I am currently a 25-year-old women’s fitness trainer and athleisure wear CEO of She;s Bodied. In life, I struggled with anxiety and depression since high school. It really messed with my confidence and I stopped being an athlete in college so, I was not sure where to turn to to connect with myself. It held me back from stepping into who I am truly supposed to be. I avoided fully taking risks and being confident in my true self due to this issue. I decided to become a gym girlie which led me to mostly wear leggings, hoodies, and sports bras. As I saw my mental and physical grow along my journey I notice when I wore cute workout sets I felt like ” that girl”. In the year 2020, I decided to create a brand where all women can become ” that girl” no matter where they were in life. What sets myself and my brand apart from others is that I bring a story behind my products/training that define She’s Bodied. I dig deeper than the looks in hopes to connect to each woman’s story and bring out that thing inside of them that wants them to be their best selves!
I am an in-person and online fitness trainer so I accept women all around the world who are committed to their journey in and out of the gym. You may visit us online at www.shesbodied.com or instagram (@shesbodiedfitness) for more info on how to become apart of the She’s Bodied World!
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
If I could use two words to answer this whole interview question it would be personal development. It is so important to feed your mind as a business owner because in order to be different you have to think differently. Just as you were raised by your parents you grew up to think as they. think and do as they do. It was not until you were older you were able to think for yourself which meant defining who you are. It is called growth and it looks different for everybody. The tools you need to impact overall thinking can be bought sure, but do nothing if you do not believe in it. Just as one believes if you stay at a job for 50 years you will receive a nice retirement fund to live a great life then one can believe it is available for them to become a 6 figure business owner at 25 years old. It is in the mindset, just in case you have not caught my drift yet. Personal development comes in so many forms. You can use books ( Poor Dad, Rich Dad), (The Four Agreements), and ( It’s All in Your Head) are a few of my favorites that fuel what I need to tap into my CEO. But, it is more than just reading a book, it is a lifestyle you create. One habit I do daily is listen to a podcast every morning that helps me stay in my own lane and not let social media drift me. Then I pray directly after.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Building an audience is a different story for everyone and to be honest I am rebuilding mine. I have had Instagram for a very long time. I use to be in a music group called N’lyss which allowed me to gain about 60,000 followers. Only a handful of that audience is now my target audience. The followers I gained growing up are there to see glamor, music, and dance videos. While now, I am promoting mental and physical health/athleisure wear. So a number does not always mean everything but it does mean something. Building the right target audience means everything. I would rather have 200 consistently engaged followers rather than 60,000 that just like to look.
My advice on building your audience is the law of attraction. Post the kind of followers you want to have. Once you see those followers engaged with you, engage back. Everything is so fake in the world that people crave a real connection. So be that! Every journey is different because you could gain 1,000,000 in a week while the next person gains 100. Stick to your lane and stay the course. 
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shesbodied.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lashon_/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUCQrR8Z55rU2LRo89i0xzw
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/shesbodied_/?hl=en
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com › shesbodiedfitness
Image Credits
Griot Visuals