Meet Winona L. Thomas

 

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

Winona L., we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

This question prompts me to reflect on numerous life experiences that have shaped my resilience. In my book “A Place of Peace,” there is a chapter titled “Refined for Resilience,” which defines resilience as the ability to return to one’s original form after being bent, compressed, or stretched. This definition leads me to explore the origins of my own resilience.

Since beginning my entrepreneurial journey in 2006 as a newly published author, I’ve encountered significant challenges, both professionally and personally. From navigating the struggles of being a first-time author to dealing with personal adversities like single motherhood, breast cancer, divorce, a job lay-off, and homelessness, these experiences have been instrumental in building my resilience. They have deepened my understanding of myself and clarified my purpose as an entrepreneur.

My personal journey has directly influenced my entrepreneurial path, driving me to persevere and motivating me intrinsically. I believe the resilience I’ve developed serves as a foundation to inspire others, both in their personal lives and entrepreneurial endeavors. I see God’s purpose in my life as encouraging fellow entrepreneurs to persist despite adversity, as it is this very resilience that supports and sustains them on their journey.

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

Winona L. Thomas is a multi-talented and award-winning Certified Professional Life and Author Coach, as well as an Amazon #1 Best-selling author. Recognized as one of Metropolitan Detroit’s unique assets, Winona’s impressive achievements include founding Kiras Publishing LLC and the Authors on the Rise Media platform and magazine, co-founding Lorraine Distribution Company, LLC, hosting talk and radio shows, and authoring five inspirational books. She is also a songwriter and playwright.

Kiras Publishing, LLC was created out of Winona’s own experience of struggling to get her first book published. Determined to prevent other authors from facing similar discouragement, she established Kiras Publishing to support aspiring authors with the resources and tools needed to transition from having a completed manuscript to becoming a published author.

Lorraine Distribution Company, LLC, based in Detroit, Michigan, was founded by Winona’s daughter, Shakira Woods, with Winona’s support. Raising Shakira as a single mother was challenging but also motivating, leading Winona to want to help other single mothers and teach her daughter about ownership. The company’s product, Morning Fresh Mouthwash, aims to educate parents and children about oral hygiene while also serving as an entrepreneurial tool to empower single mothers. The business supports single parents through partnerships like the Sister Friend mentorship program with the City of Detroit.

Currently, the focus is on growing the Morning Fresh brand, which is available in six Detroit stores and online at Walmart Marketplace. There are also plans to expand into skincare products for women over 50. Winona, who also teaches third grade, is passionate about inspiring young people and excited about her entrepreneurial journey, with a vision to positively impact her community and support others in their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three key qualities that have emerged from my resilience journey and that I rely on are: 1. Make a decision, 2. Embrace fear, and 3. Fight! Reflecting on my experiences, these qualities have been crucial in helping me navigate adversity and continue moving forward.

Making a decision is essential because it prevents stagnation amidst challenges. When faced with a difficult situation, deciding on the next step helps in moving beyond the problem. I’m inspired by the Bible verse, “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23), which reminds me that we are merely passing through hardships, and must make the choice to rise and move forward.

Once a decision is made, confronting the fear and uncertainty of the outcome becomes necessary. Facing fear directly is crucial, whether dealing with the unknowns of entrepreneurship, cancer, or a divorce. Overcoming these fears is key to achieving victory and progress.

Another important lesson I’ve learned is the need to fight—not physically, but through perseverance. Often, the real battle is with oneself, requiring mental resilience and self-encouragement. Fighting through these challenges, supported by faith and prayer, helps in staying on course.

My advice is to practice patience with yourself. I’ve often abandoned projects out of impatience, not allowing myself to see them through. Success might not come immediately, and it’s essential to remain patient and persistent. Giving up too soon can delay your dreams. By maintaining patience and diligence, you will realize your success and understand that you are already achieving greatness by not giving up.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

The greatest asset in both my entrepreneurial and personal life has been having a mentor and surrounding myself with like-minded individuals who are also on a path to success. A mentor, who has already navigated the challenges of building a business and understands the necessary mindset shifts for success, is invaluable. Through this guidance, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the entrepreneurial journey and realized I am not alone. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or uncertain about my next steps, my mentor’s support helps me stay on course.

My growth has come from perseverance and evolving into the person I believe God has called me to be. I am grateful for this platform, which allows entrepreneurs to share their journeys and potentially inspire others to keep pushing forward.

Lorraine Distribution Company is also eager to collaborate with other business owners to network and expand our brand. Feel free to connect with us via email at lorrainnco@gmail.com or visit our website at https://lorrainedistributionco.org.

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Winona Thomas

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