Latoya Burris of Germantown on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Latoya Burris. Check out our conversation below.

Latoya, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
My clients have taught me so much, but the thing I value most is learning how to truly value their point of view instead of seeing my perspective as the ultimate answer.

I think, as a creative, you walk a funny fine line. You absolutely want to ensure the end product is visually stunning and meets their critical business needs. For a long time, my instinct was to have a quick, confident answer ready for everything. Now, I realize the real magic happens when I just listen. I mean, truly listen—not to formulate my next defense, but to sit with their problem.

Being a genuinely good listener builds immense trust with clients (and sometimes saves me from an unnecessary argument!). It’s a practice I’m dedicated to improving every single day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! I’m Latoya Burris, and I’m a Creative Services Manager by day at a global real estate firm in New York City. Outside of that, I’m an Art Director at Shapely, where I get to pour my passion into promoting size-inclusive brands—like working on our Fatty Friendly digital guide.

I’ve been happily immersed in the world of graphic design and branding for over 13 years now. I’m excited by the challenge of making a brand not just look good, but also truly connect with its audience. And when I finally put the mouse down, I swap my creative hat for my mom hat, spending quality time with my two awesome teenage daughters. I’m excited to connect with your readers today!

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I think my earliest memory of feeling truly powerful was when I competed in my very first powerlifting competition, the Jersey Rumble back in 2017. Before then, I didn’t fully grasp that strength could be realized in so many different ways and across such a diverse range of body types.

The Powerlifting Club at Chelsea Piers was absolutely instrumental; it challenged me and helped me grow—and honestly, helped me realize how much weight I could actually move! My coach at the time, Josh Hildago, consistently pushed me to realize my full potential. I hit so many personal records and had breakthroughs I never thought possible.

I truly fell in love with the gym during that time. It became a community that helped carry me through a particularly difficult patch in my life. It turns out that when you focus on picking up heavy things, you often gain the strength to put down emotional ones, too.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me three essential lessons: resilience, gratitude, and patience.

When you’re experiencing success, everything feels great—you’re happy, energized, and celebrating the win. However, when you’re suffering, it can be incredibly painful and frustrating; all you want is for the difficult period to be over!

But here’s the beautiful paradox: when you finally breakthrough, you look back, reflect, and genuinely realize the immense benefits of that suffering and the fortitude of your mindset.

I believe I have a very strong mind, and I’m deeply grateful to God and my ancestors for giving me so much. This gratitude allows me to find perspective even in my suffering. I understand that what I’m going through will not last forever, and there is always a crucial lesson to be learned in that very moment. (Plus, the celebration after a tough journey is always the best!)

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think where smart people are getting it totally wrong today is the assumption that they already have all the answers.

Sometimes, when you have a high level of intelligence, there’s a temptation to look down on others who may not share the same background or level of expertise. However, that mindset is a massive missed opportunity, in my opinion!

Everyone can learn from one another.

The secret ingredient is humility. Humility doesn’t mean you stop being smart; it means you open your eyes to things you were once blinded to because you thought you had already mastered the entire curriculum. Plus, being open to new ideas is much less exhausting than trying to constantly prove you’re the smartest person in the room!

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
That is a great question. Yes, this year, I was absolutely eyeing a particular luxury handbag. While I was back home visiting New York City, I finally decided to splurge and buy it.

However, not too long after the purchase, the buyer’s remorse hit me hard! I wished I had never bought the bag. I realized that at the time, I must have thought the bag would make me feel inherently better or more accomplished.

I quickly learned (or re-learned) a vital lesson: things don’t make you better. They can be fun accessories, but they can’t change your internal value. The only things that can truly uplift you and fill you up are you, yourself, and your spiritual connection. It was a beautiful reminder that self-worth is an inside job, not a shopping spree.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://toyaburris.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelatoyaburris/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toyaburris/