Meet Syerra Donaldson

We were lucky to catch up with Syerra Donaldson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Syerra, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

I’m a Black woman who, for much of my life, didn’t know the value of my self-worth. Growing up, I was often met with disapproval from others who didn’t like how I looked, dressed, talked, or acted. Without a strong male figure to offer protection or boost my confidence, I was left vulnerable to manipulation, believing I was less than. The words of men shaped my view of myself, and sadly, they often spoke negativity into my life. They took much from me, leaving me feeling depleted.

However, as I got older and moved across the country alone, I realized that I had the power to discover myself and heal. I began to isolate myself, not out of loneliness, but to deeply reflect on who I truly was inside and out. I had been screaming internally to be loved, but I realized I needed to give myself that love first. So, I let everything go, stopped dating, and immersed myself in my faith, turning to the Word for guidance. I began to pour love, respect, and support into myself—things I had once sought from others but never received.

It was a journey of rediscovery, understanding that I am high value and deserving of respect. I set boundaries and learned to say “no” to anything that didn’t align with my self-worth. Through this process, I came to understand that once you respect yourself, others will follow suit. My confidence and self-esteem grew from this deep inner work, and I promised myself I would never again allow anyone to make me feel less than the Queen I am.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Thank you for asking! Professionally, I wear many hats. I’m a mental health therapist, an award-winning Food Network chef, and the proud owner of EasyCookinWithSy LLC, a private catering company serving customers in Miami FL and Georgia .
I also am building Women With A Reason Inc., an organization dedicated to helping women discover their true value and potential, empowering them to live the life they desire. But not only that I’m a Doctoral student attending the University of Kentucky for my Doctorate in Social Work administration and Leadership!

What excites me the most is being able to make a difference in people’s lives, whether through food or therapeutic work. I believe in the alignment of the mind, body, and soul, and it’s incredible to see how healing and transformation can happen when these aspects of life come into balance. Every day, I pour positivity into my work and strive to be a healer, something I feel God has called me to be. Something Bigger than myself

One of the most special aspects of my catering brand is our focus on Jamaican cuisine and the ability to cater a variety of events, from intimate dinners to large weddings and luxury brunches. Recently, I partnered with Chef Ruth (CalieSoul) to bring Sunday Funday to Lakeland, Florida, and I’m looking forward to expanding that. You can also catch me on season five of Food Network’s “Supermarket Stakeout,” where I took home the win!

I’m continuously working on new projects, whether it’s catering major events or expanding the reach of Women With the Reason Inc., helping more women heal and thrive. Stay tuned for what’s next as I keep growing both my businesses and my impact.

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

Looking back, the three qualities that were most impactful in my journey have been resilience, self-awareness, and adaptability. Each played a crucial role in shaping not only my personal growth but also the success I’ve seen in my career and business ventures.

1. Resilience: Life has thrown countless challenges my way, from childhood trauma to navigating a male-dominated industry and running a business. Resilience allowed me to keep pushing forward, even when things seemed impossible. I had to learn how to bounce back from setbacks and understand that failures are not the end—they’re opportunities to grow.

My Advice: For those early in their journey, develop resilience by embracing challenges. Don’t shy away from obstacles. Instead, face them head-on and learn from each experience. Surround yourself with people who uplift you, and never be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

2. Self-awareness: Learning who I am, understanding my strengths and weaknesses, and owning my story were essential in developing my confidence and sense of purpose. It took time for me to recognize my value and the unique gifts I bring to the table, but once I did, I became unstoppable.

My Advice: Spend time reflecting on who you are and what you want. Self-awareness is key to understanding your worth and staying grounded. Be honest with yourself about what you need to work on, but also celebrate your accomplishments. Journaling and seeking mentorship can help guide you in this area.

3. Adaptability: The ability to adjust to new circumstances, whether it’s moving across the country alone or pivoting my business to meet the needs of clients, has been invaluable. In both my therapeutic work and catering business, I’ve learned that nothing ever stays the same for long, and being adaptable allows me to thrive in uncertain situations.

My Advice: Be open to change and willing to step out of your comfort zone. Early in your journey, you’ll encounter situations that will push you in different directions. Learn to be flexible and embrace those moments, as they will open up opportunities you may not have expected. Keep learning and evolving.

To those just starting out, I encourage you to trust in your vision, stay resilient, and remain adaptable. Your journey will have ups and downs, but with these qualities, you’ll be able to navigate through them with grace and strength.

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?

I believe it’s essential to go all in on your strengths while still being mindful of your weaknesses. Your strengths are what make you unique and set you apart in your field. When you pour energy into honing those strengths, you create a space where you shine, and that’s where your greatest potential lies. However, I also think it’s important to be aware of your weaknesses and, when necessary, work on them to avoid any major blind spots that could hold you back.

Let me share an example from my own life. Early in my journey as a therapist and a chef, I was laser-focused on my strengths—connecting with people and creating healing spaces through food and conversation. These were the gifts that fueled my businesses, and I knew I had to go all in on them. However, running a business also meant dealing with areas I wasn’t as strong in, like financial management and administrative tasks. Ignoring those weaknesses wasn’t an option, as it could have jeopardized everything I worked so hard for.

Rather than trying to master everything at once, I focused on strengthening my core skills—the aspects of my work that came naturally to me and gave me joy. At the same time, I recognized my limits in other areas and sought help where needed. For example, I hired an accountant and leaned on mentors to guide me in areas where I lacked experience. This allowed me to stay focused on what I do best while ensuring the other aspects of my business were taken care of.

In my experience, when you invest in your strengths, you become exceptional at what you do. But being mindful of your weaknesses and finding ways to improve or delegate them can help you become more well-rounded. You don’t need to excel at everything, but you should be strategic about addressing areas that may otherwise hold you back.

In the end, it’s about balance. Go all in on your strengths because that’s where your magic happens, but don’t ignore the gaps that could affect your success. Know when to ask for help, collaborate, or learn just enough to stay effective. The key is not to dilute your energy trying to be great at everything but to maximize your potential in areas where you naturally excel while remaining competent in the rest.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.Easycookinwithsy.com
• Instagram: Easycookinwithsyllc
• Facebook: Easycookinwithsy Easycookinwithsy
• Linkedin: Syerra Lynn Donaldson
• Youtube: SYERRALYNN channel
• Other: TikTok: Easycookinwithsy
  TikTok: I’m.syerralynn
  IG: I’m. SYERRALYNN