We recently connected with Georgette Blay and have shared our conversation below.
Georgette, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience stems from the tough decisions my parents made years ago. When I was two, both of my parents left Ghana for America, seeking a better future for our family. During this time, I stayed in Ghana with loved ones until they were settled and could bring me over. This early separation taught me resilience. Although I was surrounded by love, I felt something missing and had to naturally learn how to fill the void, to feel whole, and to nurture love, hope, and joy within myself.
Seven years passed, filled with adventure and wonder as I adjusted to life without my parents. Then, at the age of nine, I was told I was leaving Ghana to reunite with my parents in America. I packed my bags, summoned my resilience, and embarked on my first solo flight to a new country. America was a completely different world. I arrived to meet parents I barely remembered and a one-year-old sister I didn’t know. I knew no one and nothing was familiar. Once again, my resilience kicked in. I learned to approach new situations like a challenge, treating them like a game I could figure out. I found comfort in the unknown. Now, when faced with any challenge, I take a deep breath and remind myself that I have the tools to get through anything.
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?
I would call this current time in my career my “wanderlust era.” I’m drawn toward whatever sparks my interest, without worrying whether it makes sense or fits into a clear career path. As I reflect, I realize my entire career has followed this wandering approach, bringing me incredible opportunities. From being an associate producer on a show, helping to grow an inspiring non-profit, working at a women-owned design firm, contributing to an international design agency, to now running my own business, I’ve embraced a path that may not be linear but is full of passion and growth. Currently, I provide graphic design, art direction, and custom home décor services. I am a problem solver at heart, with an endless curiosity for learning. While this path isn’t easy, my resilience and determination to live as freely as possible push me through tough times. So, if you have a wild idea and need support bringing it to life, reach out, and let’s explore how I can help.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I believe that curiosity is key, and that everyone is figuring things out just like me. Some people fake it until they make it—I prefer to “learn it until I make it.” I strive to stay authentic and true to myself, knowing that some may try to take advantage. I’ve learned to recognize and avoid those who do. Finally, I’ve been on a journey to discover my self-worth from within. It’s one of the hardest skills to master and remains a work in progress.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
Over the past year, my biggest area of growth has been learning to get out of my own way. It was shocking to realize how much I had hindered my own business progress. Through both trauma and conditioning, I had learned to love the struggle of hard work, to the point where I created unnecessary obstacles for myself. This realization has been a profound paradigm shift, bringing clarity and changing how I approach my success and personal growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.georgetteblay.com
- Instagram: blay.designs
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlayDesignGoods
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgetteblay
Image Credits
Cristna Quinones, Georgette Blay
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
