Meet Donellia L

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Donellia L. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Donellia, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

In the beginning, I never anticipated being in marketing or brand strategy. Designs By Donellia started as a side hustle—something I did to make extra money to fund my now-closed clothing store. At that time, I sold websites, branding materials, and offered design services, but I constantly doubted myself. I wasn’t getting concrete opportunities, and that lack of validation made me question if I was really good enough. It felt like I was shouting into a void—working hard but not seeing the return.

But I kept going.

Even when I struggled with doubt, I stayed consistent and leaned into the work. I poured my energy into building for others and, in turn, started landing unexpected opportunities—opportunities I never thought possible. Working for myself, I realized I had the power to create my own seat at the table. I didn’t need permission to show up as the best version of myself. Each client, project, and challenge taught me something new about my skills, my value, and my potential.

By the time I became a Branding Director at 25, something shifted. I realized my true worth—not just in business but in life. I saw that every moment of struggle, every setback, and every small victory had prepared me for this point. I wasn’t just “winging it” anymore—I was standing on the foundation I had built for myself.

What began as a side hustle turned into a business that I deeply believe in. Designs By Donellia is no longer about making ends meet; it’s about empowering other entrepreneurs to elevate their brands. I transitioned from doubting myself to guiding others through their own challenges. The confidence I lacked in the beginning came from proving to myself—again and again—that I could adapt, grow, and thrive.

Today, I’m proud to help entrepreneurs through my clarity sessions, e-books, and tailored resources like the monthly coaching. I no longer rely on external validation because I’ve seen firsthand what happens when you believe in yourself, even when the opportunities seem small or nonexistent.
Confidence didn’t happen overnight. It was built in the moments when I showed up for myself, even when the odds were stacked against me. It was shaped through resilience, authenticity, and the realization that my journey—every twist and turn—has made me into the woman I am today: confident, capable, and clear in my purpose

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a brand coach and entrepreneur with a passion for helping people.

As of now, my main focus is Designs By Donellia, where I empower small business owners, freelancers, and creative entrepreneurs through branding clarity, strategy, and confidence-building services.

At Designs By Donellia, I offer:
• Monthly Coaching Programs: Tailored support for entrepreneurs ready to build or scale, gain clarity, and take actionable steps to elevate their brands. My coaching combines strategic insights with accountability to help you see real progress over time.

• Clarity Sessions: Perfect for entrepreneurs looking for quick wins and a clear action plan. These sessions focus on solving immediate challenges, creating a roadmap, and giving you the tools to move forward.

• The Brand Blueprint Deluxe: A signature guide designed to simplify branding with actionable frameworks, audience psychology insights, and a step-by-step approach to building a memorable brand.

The core values of Designs By Donellia—empowerment, growth, authenticity, and sustainability—are at the heart of everything I do. My goal is to help entrepreneurs who feel overwhelmed or stuck build brands that are not only visually appealing but also strategically sound and aligned with their long-term goals. I believe in creating real results through clarity, confidence, and intentional action.

Beyond Designs By Donellia, I’m also growing my other ventures:
• Donellia The Foodie: A space where I share recipes, restaurant reviews, and food experiences that bring joy and connection.
• Journals By Donellia: Focused on personal growth, I offer guided journals that help people reflect, set goals, and prioritize wellness.
• Shop The Impact: A clothing brand built on the values of social responsibility, empowerment, and community action.

While these projects reflect my passions, Designs By Donellia is where my primary focus lies as of now in this season. Through personalized coaching and strategic resources, I’m helping entrepreneurs elevate their brands with purpose and confidence.

I’m also excited about the upcoming Brand Blueprint Accelerator Course—a program for entrepreneurs ready to take their branding to the next level. The course will include group coaching, actionable resources, and frameworks to help clients gain clarity, attract their audience, and achieve growth.

What ties all of my businesses together are my core values: empowerment, authenticity, and impact. Whether I’m guiding an entrepreneur through brand strategy, helping someone find clarity through journaling, or connecting over food and lifestyle, my mission remains the same: to inspire growth, create value, and leave a lasting impact.

To anyone reading this: If you’re an entrepreneur feeling uncertain or stuck, I want you to know that you don’t have to do it alone. Designs By Donellia is here to help you gain clarity, build confidence, and create a brand that reflects your vision and purpose. Let’s grow together.

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

Looking back on my journey, the three most impactful qualities that helped me grow were resilience, consistency, and adaptability. These qualities didn’t come easy, but they shaped who I am and how I navigate my businesses today.

1. Resilience
Resilience is the ability to keep going no matter what obstacles come your way. I learned this through experience—whether it was temporarily closing my clothing store, not seeing immediate results with Designs By Donellia, or juggling multiple responsibilities. Things often got worse before they got better, but I refused to quit. My advice: Embrace failure as part of the process. You’ll stumble, but those moments will teach you what works and what doesn’t. Resilience grows when you face challenges head-on.

2. Consistency
Consistency has been the foundation of everything I’ve built. Even when I didn’t feel motivated or confident, I showed up. It’s easy to start strong, but staying strong is what sets you apart. My personal motto is:
“Start strong, stay strong. It may get worse before it gets better, but as long as you stay consistent, you will be fine.”
Consistency isn’t about being perfect every day—it’s about committing to your goals and making progress, even when it’s slow. If you’re starting out, focus on small, achievable steps. Over time, those small efforts will lead to big results.

3. Adaptability
In business and life, things rarely go according to plan. I never imagined being in branding or coaching when I started out, but I adapted when opportunities presented themselves. I pivoted, learned new skills, and grew into my role as a brand coach. My advice: Be open to learning and evolving. The more adaptable you are, the easier it becomes to handle change, explore new paths, and turn setbacks into comebacks.

To anyone early in their journey: Stay focused on your “why” and trust the process. You don’t have to have it all figured out at once. Start strong, keep showing up, and remember that the hard days are just part of the climb. As long as you stay consistent and true to your vision, you’ll find success in ways you never imagined.

How would you describe your ideal client?

My ideal client is someone who is ready to show up and do the work—no matter what. They may not have all the answers, knowledge, or resources yet, but what sets them apart is their determination. They are driven by a strong “why”, a purpose that fuels them to keep going even when things get hard.

I look for individuals who understand that success doesn’t come from excuses—it comes from action. My ideal clients are deeply committed to their goals and open to learning, growing, and trusting the process. They don’t need to have it all figured out, but they do need to come ready to take accountability and apply the strategies we create together.

What excites me most is working with people who are willing to invest in themselves, even when it’s uncomfortable. These are the clients who make the biggest transformations—because they’re willing to do whatever it takes to see their vision through.

If you’re someone who’s driven by purpose, committed to growth, and ready to turn your ideas into real results with no excuses, you’re exactly who I’m looking to work with. Together, we’ll take your brand to the next level—step by step.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Confidence
Breaking Barriers: Succeeding Even When Representation is Lacking

What do you do when no one else in the company or the meeting looks

Leadership Development
Finding Your Why

Not knowing why you are going wherever it is that you are going sounds silly,

Relationships
Surviving Divorce: Stories and Lessons

For many, marriage is foundational and so when a marriage falls apart it can feel