We were lucky to catch up with Leilani Lealaimatafao recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Leilani, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
This was probably my biggest obstacle and until I figured that out, I would never feel satisfied. No matter how hard I worked and what I accomplished, I couldn’t find fulfillment. It was bothering me so bad, I just couldn’t enjoy any of my achievements. It felt like I was just supposed to do all these things, nothing less or more. I didn’t realize what it was up until the beginning of the year (2023) when someone said “sounds like you have imposter syndrome” following my nonchalant response to their compliments. I was offended at first but was told to really look into it because they believed that was the only issue with my growth. After I started reading about the setbacks this mindset caused, I was able to start my healing process. Before, I was pretty focused on my mental health but in reality it was more spiritual. I had to realize that I was the only one setting myself back so I was the only one that could push myself forward. The more I down played my own capabilities and talents, joking or not, the more it sank down into my subconscious. I figured out that I have had this mindset since I was young because I was taught to be humble or was consistently down played when I decided to go against the grain. So naturally, I humbled myself so much that I couldn’t even capitalize on the qualities that I worked so hard to earn. I am the first with an undergraduate and graduate degree on my dad’s side of my family. I’m basically the first to move out of Texas, and I have so many different experiences and networks that are not easy to obtain. I had to surround myself with people who held me at a high standard, remove myself from triggering environments, and correct myself every single time I said anything bad about myself. I was tired of reaching these heights and not being satisfied so I had to slow down, be present, and really be grateful for the journey itself. I was seeking the answers in a destination but realized I will reach them all because of my abilities and the ride is just as important.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Leilani Lealaimatafao aka LeilaniOrange aka Leyoncé (clear who my idol is lol)! I moved to LA May 2021, my sole reason was for my brother because he needed somewhere to parole. I got a Uhaul, put my jeep on the back, and drove 18 hours to my new Long Beach condo which I found the week before I left Texas! I was working a remote job entering my 6th year with a healthcare company, as a travel volleyball coach, and had just graduated with my MBA in digital marketing from Texas A&M Commerce (Dallas). My undergraduate degree is a BS psychology and I obtained that as a volleyball student athlete in 2016 at Southern University Baton Rouge.
What made me go back to school was my curiosity about analytics and marketing. I was an influencer on YouTube but even with that natural growing success, I felt like I needed to go behind the scenes and learn the back end. While school helped me stay on track of life, I was on the wrong one. I will never regret any of my decisions but I know I was fighting a force that wasn’t going to let me settle. There were of course naysayers whom I said didn’t bother me, but until I admitted it did, I couldn’t move forward! I had to be confident in my decisions in my life and stop doing what I felt like I was “supposed” to do.
I got to experience work in a digital marketing agency with the Marcus Graham Project x Patron upon moving to LA and that’s when I realized, I don’t really want to work for another corporation. I knew I wanted to do something on my own but I had no idea how! I was still at the healthcare company but after obtaining my MBA and excelling in my work, they wouldn’t give me a raise and they added to my workload almost weekly. So finally, I told them no and long story short, I was terminated. The months following that was the most free I ever felt in my life but then I lacked intention and structure.
So the project we did with patron actually sparked my interested in spirits. Naturally, I would host and bartend events so I was like let’s find a job like that to start this new path! I went to bartending school, went a whole year sober from alcohol, and became a lead host at a high class popular restaurant in Beverly Hills. It was the perfect place to network, I was focused and was fairly easy for a friendly gal like me. I started getting a feel on what I wanted to do while seeing all these creative and stars come in and out of the restaurant. I got to meet some cool people but I never said too much because I just knew these would be my peers one day. I’ve already been in high places but I was on a mission to figure myself out before I presented myself to these higher figures again.
After a year and a half, I was pretty over the restaurant. The managers were micromanaging, it slowed down immensely, and I was ready for my growth so I started manifesting/praying for a different reality for myself. I already worked with Island City Media Group from time to time. Then I met the owner of Afrovibes TV & Radio the day after I tweeted that I want to become a host and eventually have my own tv show. This is when I realized that I have the power to create whatever reality I want for myself I just had to full believe it with no room for any doubts.
This year has been a lot of adjusting but even when I do change my mind, I find alignment & set out my intentions. I have an amazing support system and am grasping the importance of team work. I’ve learned a lot of patience and I am a lot more specific! I don’t arrive late to things and I hardly rush and those are just the simple blessings I have now! I have my hands on a handful of things but here is what my time consists of lately! I host, bartend, coordinate, and even produce exclusive events! I am a model, cohost to a podcast, and manage a friend that has similar aspirations. I just signed to an agency on TikTok as a live streamer to share this journey (@leilaniorange). And biggest of all, I just released my own brand called Felicity Orange (IG @shopfelicityorange). Felicity means the state of happiness or the quality of joy and as I was developing my loungewear brand it just made sense. It’s how I felt finally and it’s how I always make people feel when they’re around me. I have been working on this all year and to see how the results could appear so simple, made me appreciate the process even more. My life isn’t perfect but it is to me, I feel so blessed to live in a city where dreams are really made of. I wake up everyday and get to do whatever I want to do and love this life I live! Not to mention, it is so beautiful here in valley, I’m in awe every time I go outside.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Oh I think I covered that in my last answer! 🙂 3 qualities that helped me were teamwork, patience, and to be specific/certain. I felt like I had to be independent and get things done on my own. But when you have trustworthy people, you can open up to receive the help you didn’t know you needed. There’s a bigger outlook that others can see that you won’t at first and that’s the beauty of it! Patience is the biggest thing, in all areas. You should not have to rush or force anything, life doesn’t have to be stressful. When it is, take a deep breath and be present then tackle the issue however you can at that time. It’s also important in the grand scheme of things. Great things take time, the bigger it is, the more time it’s going to take to tangibly see these results. Enjoy the journey, the destination isn’t the only reward! Lastly, be very specific. There are so many times I’ve said things I’ve wanted but lack certain details. Those details are important because as your vision becomes more clear, you can really create this new reality. I was manifesting a modeling agency for months, I was contacted by a couple but they weren’t a good fit. So I decide to be more specific and instead of a modeling agency, I said an agency with management and mentorship that will help me grow my brand. I said that when I do model, I don’t want to be another brand model but to be Leilani and brands to want to feature me because of who I am. A couple weeks later, I was recruited by Live Wave agency through TikTok. They have groups, classes, mentors, and management that help develop my online brand. So be very certain for what you ask for and it could also work in the opposite way so be careful.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
My favorite book is the four agreements! it’s helped me so many times throughout my 20s and I’m 29 now. It talks about dropping your learned ideals and to create your own through these four agreements. Don’t take anything personal, don’t make assumptions, be impeccable with your word, and always do your best. I actually reread that book so many times but this year I found a handful of self help books. I like the author Joe Dispenza, he speaks a lot on spirituality and the connection we have energetically. You Are a Bad Ass is a great one, she discusses similar ideals to help you overcome your doubts and how to realize your worth. I also really like the dynamic laws of prosperity which discusses different ways to create prosperity in your life. All these books give similar messages but in different ways. They are all telling you to live your life how you want to, be true to yourself, be a good person, and don’t let anyone bring you down! Whether you pray, manifest, or write your goals, you’re repeatedly telling yourself something enough to make it happen. The power is always in you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brandorigin.com/collections/leilani
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/leilaniorange?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
- Twitter: https://x.com/leilaniorange?s=21&t=VWFWzphlNN3UqM3CNwuM5g
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@leilaniorange?si=3_HfZWiNtPvY9t1j
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@leilaniorange?_t=8gAeof2qRBr&_r=1
Image Credits
Brinickiproductions
