Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to LaTonia Walker. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi LaTonia, 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?
I developed my personal confidence and self-esteem from a few ways:
1)God. My faith is very important to me. I have confidence because I know who God says I am. Knowing that I have His love and also His favor gives me the ultimate confidence.
2)Healing. We all have faced our personal degree of trauma and challenging life experiences. I took the initiative to work on my issues, and still am. I dealt with the major trauma of my past. Then used those challenges to step into my purpose. So many people are walking around hurt and operating out of trauma. Part of building your self-esteem is dealing with the ugly stuff, then let your true inner and outer beauty prevail.
3)Personal style. Now that I discussed the inner work, lets touch on the external. I found my own personal style and I wear it boldly. I will never be the American standard of beauty, but I am my own standard of beauty! I believe in playing up to your strength. I know the areas that I like about my body and I highlight those. The areas you don’t like, if you can do something about it, do it! I do believe in plastic surgery by the way. Chile get that area fixed and move on LOL If it is something you can’t fix, then accept your flaws, we all have them. Also, I do not try to be like other people. I can appreciate their style without trying to make it my own. I am more natural. I learned what clothing works for me, example I wear more form fitting clothes. I don’t wear wide leg pants, I wear jeggings and jeans that fit all the way to the ankle. I love dresses and skirts. I don’t wear a lot of over the top clothes, I am more conservative while also sassy! I always say I don’t need a lot of bling because I am my own adornment!
4)Intelligence. Another way that I have built my confidence is through building my knowledge base. I know what I know! Whatever is your area of career and personal passions, research and increase your knowledge. Being an intelligent woman is very important to me. I always say “do you know anything?” I constantly read, attend workshops, and learn from others. One of the best ways to become confident is to know your stuff!
5)Do not compare. Lastly, I do not compare myself to other women. Comparing yourself is the fastest way to decrease your self-esteem. There will always be someone prettier, smarter, more money, better partner, etc. I appreciate the beauty and success of other women, that draws a different kind of energy. Appreciate, but don’t compare.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am the Founder & CEO of The Ladies League of Detroit. A social network for women, the focus is on personal and professional development. We just celebrated our 6th anniversary in May 2024. What is special about our Sisterhood is that although it is professional women, we are not stuffy. We have fun and get to be our authentic selves with each other. There is something magical about women working on their lives together. I am most excited about our growth. We are currently 80 strong and growing. The ultimate membership goal is 250 women.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My advice for Quality, Skills, and Area of Knowledge:
1)Quality- Authenticity. Be your authentic self. Do not try to imitate other people. If you admire certain qualities yes you can take guidance from that, and certainly be inspired. I always say: Find your own lane, get in it, then master it!
2)Skill – Organization. One of the areas that I see people struggle most is that they are not organized. You can have a skill or talent and still fail because you do not have your affairs in order. A true business women keeps her business organized. Know your numbers, have your paperwork in order, keep your various filings up to date. Organize your home and car. Organize your mind, organize your life!
3)Area of knowledge – Finances. Learn the basics about finances. There is so much information out here, much more accessible now than it was in the past. However, many people are still not educated about finances, and I mean the basics. You should at least know about credit scores/reports, bank accounts, savings, and debt. Educate yourself about finances, and get yours in order!
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
A book that played an important role in my development is Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman. The 3 most valuable nuggets of wisdom from the book for me are:
1)Read the room! Be mindful of the environment you are walking into.
2)Be aware of others emotions. Pay attention to what is happening with other people around you.
3)Self-awareness. Be mindful of how you show up in the world.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Ethel Rucker, Hart Eclectic Photography
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