Meet LaTasha Smith

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful LaTasha Smith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with LaTasha below.

LaTasha, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

Being the only one in the room that looks like me has never been easy, but it’s taught me how to stay grounded, focused, and intentional. I had to learn early on to block out the noise—the doubt, the assumptions, and sometimes even the silence—and keep my eyes on my goals.

I’ve always strived to be better and to do better, not just for myself but for my younger self, for my children, my younger cousins, my siblings, my students, and everyone else coming behind me. That means walking into spaces with confidence, even when I am scared, even when representation is lacking, and understanding that my value isn’t determined by who else is—or isn’t—in the room.

I had to “learn” to be courageous enough to look for opportunity, not color. I focus on what I can control: my work ethic, my integrity, and my impact. Over time, I’ve learned that when you lead with excellence and authenticity, people start to see beyond labels and lean into what you bring to the table.

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 am the owner of Intertwine; a wine and cocktail bar located in Dutchtown. Being a bar owner is exciting to me because I get to meet and interact with new people every day. I get to hear their stories and, in some cases, work with them to create new ideas. I create spaces for people to showcase their talents, I create spaces for people to come together, and most importantly, I create spaces for community partners and other organizations to come and bring resources to the neighbors in my community. So if you have a service or resource to offer my residents hit me up!

I am really excited about the nest few months. In November, December, and January we will have tons of programming going on! In I am going to host a tasting for some VP guests of Intertwine to help me try a variety of Mocktail options and choose the first selections of our new Mocktail menu. November is also the month when we launch our Christmas Pop Up Bar; The South Pole! The doors for the South Pole Christmas pop up bar will open November 17th. People can visit our website for the days and hours and any special holiday shows we will have. The South Pole offers custom and festive holiday themed drinks—including some great mocktails—live bands, R&B carolers, and so much more. We’ll also be a drop-off location for new toys to support families in need during the holiday season. It’s always a fun and magical time at Intertwine in November and December!

In January, we’re launching our brand-new mocktail menu, which I’m really excited about. Even though I own a wine bar, I’m not a big drinker myself—but I love creating experiences that bring people together. This new menu is all about making sure everyone feels included and can enjoy the atmosphere, even if they prefer not to drink.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I think the three things that have made the biggest impact on my journey are perseverance, community, and creativity.

Perseverance because there were so many times I could’ve given up, but I didn’t. I had to block out the noise and stay focused on my goals. There were setbacks, delays, and moments of doubt, but I kept reminding myself why I started. That drive to keep pushing—no matter what—made all the difference.

Community because nothing I’ve done has been just about me. It’s about creating something that people feel connected to. Intertwine is a reflection of that—it’s a space for laughter, stories, collaboration, and healing. I’ve learned that when you pour into people, they pour back into you. That’s how real growth happens.

And then there’s creativity. Every event, every drink, and every experience we create at Intertwine comes from thinking outside the box. Whether it’s changing our décor to match the season, transforming our space into a Christmas pop-up bar, or hosting a mocktail tasting for our non-drinking guests, creativity keeps everything fresh, exciting, and inclusive.

My advice for anyone just starting out? Don’t wait for everything to be perfect—just start. Stay consistent, stay connected to your “why,” and don’t be afraid to try something different. The journey won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. When you move with purpose and passion, everything else starts to fall into place.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The most impactful thing my parents ever did for me was recognizing that they couldn’t be the parents they wanted to be, and having the courage to give me to the people who could give me everything I deserved. My grandmother, Ora Mae, stepped in and raised me. She saw that I was struggling and did everything in her power to protect me. She was an amazing woman—she loved so hard—and she’s where I get my drive to help others and my passion for community. She truly poured life into me.

My aunt, Sonja Harvey—my bonus mother—I can’t say enough about her. I strive every day to be an ever-evolving person as a form of payback for all she’s done for me. She is the most patient and forgiving person I know, and I honestly owe her my life.

And then there were my uncles—they showed me exactly what men should be, and in some cases, what they shouldn’t (laughs). But they were everything a little broken, trauma-filled girl could have ever asked for.

Both my mom and dad battled addiction through most of my childhood, my teen years, and even into adulthood. I’m happy to say that they both eventually got clean. Being able to see them love and support my children gave me a sense of peace—it helped me start the process of forgiving and healing.

So when people ask about my parents, I always say I have a nontraditional set of parents, because for me, it truly took a village. And I am forever grateful for every single part of that village. I love y’all!!!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.intertwine.com
• Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552009332721
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552009332721

Image Credits

Cross Grand LLC