We recently connected with LaWanda Lewis Burrell and have shared our conversation below.
LaWanda , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I believe everyone is born with a sole purpose. Some may fulfill theirs while others may allow fear to consume their goals. In life, you never know when your moment of opportunity may come, but when it does, you should take it! You can either let fear stall you or drive you. Not feeling worthy, lack of guidance and support, and low self-esteem can hinder you from striving to be your best and achieve your goals. I knew at a very early age that my purpose was to help others.
Whether it was pouring the flour in the mixing bowl when my Mama was preparing her moist, delicious, made from-scratch cakes, running to cover up my big sister with a blanket when she was reading one of her favorite books, or searching in the tool kit to find my Daddy a wrench when he was working under the car. These small gestures gave me so much satisfaction that I knew that my purpose was to make people feel cared about, happy and loved.
As I grew, so did my purpose. At Stillman College, majoring in Sociology, I enjoyed working in the community. From volunteering at the Salvation Army, working to inspire adults with addictions through the local hospital, mentoring children in foster care, and later in life being a greeter with my local church, I knew my purpose was to inspire others, be compassionate, walk in faith and speak on God’s love.
At Stillman College I was introduced to a career in Human Resources where I worked at the student development center learning how to create a resume, post for jobs, and recruit. I truly enjoyed assisting my fellow classmates in securing a job opportunity in their major after college. I believe you should always strive to share your knowledge and be a blessing to others. I’ve always loved to write, but when an unfair job loss turned my pain into my passion, God truly revealed my purpose. Writing became my outlet, it was a way I could express my emotions and release the hatred I had in my heart.
Through prayer and writing I was healed. I felt free! I knew that God had birth so much inside of me that I needed to share my gifts with the world. The feeling I felt when I wrote my first book, “Stand Up, Speak Up Because Your Time’s Up” gave me the greatest joy and satisfaction. I was able to be authentic, transparent, vulnerable, but most of all my true self. This book has opened the door for so many other writers to share their journey and inspire others.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a wife, and proud mother of three beautiful children, Neziah 16, Nylah 14, and Nalin 12. My husband of almost 18 years and I started our publishing company on January 10, 2021 called SUSU Entertainment LLC, a book writing, audio book narrations, and publishing business. At SUSU Entertainment LLC you are not just a client but a lifetime friend. You will become a part of our literary family that promotes excellence in learning and growing in the book industry.
Our company believes in publishing good quality, well-written, and life-changing books. After we completed our first book, we decided to create a platform where others can inspire and share their journey with the world. Writing and publishing books has been an incredible experience! Inspiring, engaging, and educating our readers have been the major focus of our literary goals.
Through our writings we have assisted our clients in having healthier and happier relationships, mended relationships between families, promoted joy and happiness, self-care and self-love, and assisted our clients in understanding their God-given purpose. Our passion and purpose have led us to produce 5-star rated, worldwide, inspirational books for everyone.
We specialize in many genres such as: Children Literature, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Memoir, Autobiographies, Self-help, Biographies, Poetry, and Relationship books. Some of our newest ventures have been Journals, Cookbooks, and Coloring Books. “When Love Comes Knocking” is my latest book project. A few of our other noted SUSU Authors is our son Nalin Chase Burrell, he and I wrote our first children’s book together, “The Adventures of Captain Midnight”, Jacquie C. Hamilton’s book, “I Need Thee.” Shane A. Peagler who has written and published 4 children books, most recently published, “Away We Go” and Quinzel Lee, “The Lonely Marshmallow.”
Two Authors books will be coming out Spring 2023, QDAB, “Love Or Lust: An Inspiring Story Filled with Compassion, Romance, Heartbreak, Faith and Love, and LaShanda Springfield, “Our Brother Has Down Syndrome” and “Bubby Living His Best Life With Down Syndrome coloring book.
We are super excited to be able to collaborate with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) on LaShanda’s book projects. The NDSS has agreed to be a sponsor and assist our company with book promotions. We are also very proud to announce that Walmart has been selling our books online for years but is now interested in partnering to sell some of our books during the 2023 holiday season in their brick and mortar stores. We are very grateful for our many clients that have entrusted us with their journeys and we welcome many others.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Besides God, family and friends, I like to contribute my success to the 4 P’s:
Prayer – Don’t worry about anything; but instead pray about everything, Tell God what you need and thank him for what he has done. He will provide you with peace above all understanding.
Patience – Our timing is not God’s timing. Be patient and wait.
Positivity – Speak positive words over your life. Stay uplifted. Never give up. Know that your greater is coming. When you replace your negative thoughts with positive ones, you will start getting positive results.
People – You have to surround yourself around positive, influential people that will push you towards greatness.
I know that my life has purpose and I enjoy spreading positivity to others. In many of my books, I discuss doing things that you are passionate about and living an intentional life of love, happiness, forgiveness, good health and obtaining wealth. Having financial stability is like having freedom and I decided not to just write about it but become an expert in it.
I am happy that God allowed me to study hard and pass my insurance exam in January 2023! I am happy to be a Licensed Life and Health Insurance Agent! I pray that this opportunity will help me to bless many families with wisdom, knowledge, and prosperity. Dream It! Believe It! Achieve It!
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My parents are our true role models! 2023 is a very exciting year because we will be celebrating them being happily married for 5o years on November 17th! The most impactful thing that my parents have taught me was to get a good education. They are the reason I have a very strong work ethic and a desire to always do my very best.
They instilled in my sister and I to work hard so that we can do things that we want to do, not always have to do. I definitely got my time management skills from them. We often tease my parents about being so timely. They will show up at an event an hour or more early to make sure they aren’t late. They taught us about having faith in God, kindness and respect for ourselves and others, financial stability, persistence and hard work. We were truly blessed with some amazing parents!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.susentertainmentllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wandavision2020/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlawandaburrell/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawanda-lewis-burrell-58b80480
- Other: susuentertainmentllc@gmail.com
Image Credits
Image Credits: DeMorris Burrell Jr. and SUSU Entertainment LLC
