Meet La’Kendra Garrison

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful La’Kendra Garrison a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

La’Kendra, 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?
Working in the corporate world, it is common to be in a physical or virtual setting where I was the only Black female or only Black female leader. I often feared being stereotyped and misunderstood for my tone or facial expressions. I can recall situations in meetings where I was mocked for offering a professional opinion and guidance. Other leaders did not take me seriously and resolved that I didn’t know what I was talking about. To combat feelings of imposter syndrome and microaggressions, I expanded my network to include more Women of Color within my company and gleaned from their wisdom and reaal-life experiences. This group of professional Black women poured into me and encouraged me to be my authentic self and to embrace my uniqueness. They helped me develop stronger communication skills and become more aware of how I navigate environments that may lack diversity. These women helped me get more exposure to establish my presence, be more influential, and gain allies.

Today, my success is truly based on my authenticity and ability to effectively communicate with others who do not look like me.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I was a late bloomer with my education and graduated from THE University of Florida in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. That same year I established my event management business, Integrity Orchid Consulting, LLC, with the desire to become my own boss some day. Integrity Orchid has grown from baby showers and birthday parties to managing non-profit fundraiser events as well as small to medium conferences. What I love about IOC is the opportunity I get to assist people with bringing their dreams to life and allowing them to create memories.

In 2019, I graduated with a Master of Art Degree in Public Relations and launched LaKendraGarrison.com to assist small business owners and entrepreneurs with strategic communications and planning. Even though I still maintain a full-time job, it brings me great joy advising clients that it is time for them to leave their traditional 9 to 5 to pursue their true passions. To date, these clients are thriving and growing small businesses!
During the pandemic I started a podcast called “I Just Wanna Talk…’ and it is now on most listening platforms. When I was in grade school, I had a dream of being a talk show host like Oprah Winfrey and my podcast is as close as I’ve gotten so far! I plan to launch new episodes and merchandise for ‘I Just Wanna Talk…’ in 2024.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1, Consistency. Being consistent is a skill I am continuing to build because I realize the value and importance. Consistency can positively set a person and their brand apart from others. It helps build credibility and increases the chances of people finding you to be a reliable resource. ADVICE: To best develop this skill, I suggest setting clearly defined goals and asking trusted individuals to hold you accountable for meeting these goals. I also had to learn to give myself grace when I missed a deadline or had a setback. The key is to maintain forward progress even if it means taking baby steps.

2. Communication. Effective communication in personal and professional settings is so key! Communications has helped me build and foster good relationships.
ADVICE: My first hurdle in being a better communicator was to improve my non-verbal communication (i.e. facial expressions and body language). Even though your voice may not say it, your face just might tell on you!

3. Continuous Learning. My friends often tell me that I am addicted to learning and they are absolutely right! To be successful with my two businesses I have to keep up with trends and technology. There is always something new to learn.
ADVICE: Recently I have taken more courses on LinkedIn to learn new skills and improve on my skillsets. If taking courses isn’t your thing, read articles and publications that focus on your craft and skill and try to implement something you learned.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
The number one challenge I am facing is feeling overwhelmed. I admit that I have a lot on my plate and sometimes I find myself not having enough time and resources to get everything done. These experiences can also result in analysis paralysis (over analyzing a situation to the point of staying still and doing nothing). To overcome being overwhelmed, I am focussing on the following:
1. I have been more intentional with giving myself grace and celebrating the small wins.
2. I am also getting better with asking for help. Too often I try to be Wonder Woman and save the world alone, but that is not healthy or wise! I am thankful to have people in my life who don’t mind offering a hand when I need them.
3. Finally, resetting my goals, deadlines, and expectations. There are times I realize I cause my own problems by trying to be an overachiever and do too much at once. Sometimes it is necessary to take a step back to reassess my tasks and reprioritize.

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