Meet LaNese Brown

We were lucky to catch up with LaNese Brown recently and have shared our conversation below.

LaNese, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

Often times when we think of being the only one in the room that looks like “YOU”, two of the things that comes to mind first is race and or gender . To me those things are secondary as it is the most common thing to identify as, but for me personally in today’s society AUTHENTICITY is somewhat more of a peculiar attribute to have! When I walk in rooms showing up as just myself… no facades, no walls, no pretentious persona, it tends to have a dual effect. Often times it can be very intimidating showing up in spaces where it’s a room full of people and you don’t know how your vulnerability will be perceived, while other times it quite liberating to know that you don’t have to be anything in this world other than your flawed self and people will still gravitate to you! Sometimes it feels like a super power knowing my genuineness is what even allotted me into these spaces to begin with. It’s knowing that no matter how I’m perceived once in these rooms I didn’t have to deviate from my individuality and that alone makes me feel successful in itself!

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

When it relates to my salon business, I’ve been doing hair since high school and after becoming an adult it was always a side thing as I always maintained a full time job! Once I decided I wanted to start a family I didn’t want the hassle of having to rush back to work or putting my son in daycare, so I pursued it full time ! I opened my first salon in 2016 and by 2019 I had expanded it into a full service salon and boutique. Prior to that I started mentoring and motivational/inspirational speaking in or about 2012/2013 .By 2017 I was a certified life coach and had begun speaking at local events. I started using my salon as a place to coach and mentor my youth mentees! In 2018 I gave birth to my son and decided to take a break from coaching and speaking but it was definitely something I was very passionate about. I started coming up with a plan to get back into it but in a way that I was comfortable and to create spaces for not just myself but for others who had the same passion for pouring into others . In 2022 I launched my annual motivational conference called IMPACT! This is my second baby in a sense and it gives me the opportunity to share my passion and gifts as well as a safe environment for other speakers and coaches to present their own passion to others as well! At the end of 2024 I expanded IMPACT from a conference to what I call a “LIFESTYLE “ incorporating all of my motivational and outreach programs and activities into one project bringing them all under what I call one “umbrella “! In 2024 I was also blessed with the opportunity to go on a ten city tour as an opening speaker! I had a really huge first quarter planned for 2025 including a few events and master classes but unfortunately on January 5th my brother was murdered. The year started out rough as I canceled all of my events and spent the majority of the year battling grief and a bit of depression! I could feel myself sinking so I knew I needed to get back on track and for me pouring into others brings me life , the only problem was I didn’t have anything to pour . I prayed that God would just give me fresh wind and anointing! I prayed that somehow I could get my mojo back and little by little I started feeling better. I began putting IMPACT together as this is my baby’s 4th year ! With the love from my son and lots of prayers and WORK I’m back focused on doing things that I’m purposed to do. With IMPACT’S fourth annual conference coming September 6th (check my socials for details and ticket links) and speaking events lined up for remainder of the year including New York and Atlanta, I’m honestly just grateful! The year started out rough and although I still have days where grief gets the best of me, my passion is still alive and I’m walking in my purpose on purpose! Be on the lookout for my new podcast as well as speaking engagements that I’ll be speaking at as well!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three most important qualities that were most impactful on my journey has been and is authenticity, discipline and consistency! The reason I say that is because you can be an expert on something but if you aren’t pursuing it in an authentic way, maintain discipline ( because you’re not going to always want or feel like doing it) and a level of consistency while doing it , you’ll never reach the level of success in ANY area of your life!

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m definitely always looking to collaborate and partner with others! I feel like we’re better together! I’m always looking for people who have a passion for mental health and pouring into people and our communities! Whether it’s hosting events together, bringing me on as a speaker or coach or coming up with solutions and programs to better serve our communities, I’m in! Also I’m back taking coaching clients as well! Podcast interviews or even just effective conversations to brainstorm ideas, I’m open!

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