Meet Latoya Simpson | Entrepreneur/Human activist/Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Latoya Simpson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Latoya, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
Focus on what they would need in order to succeed for THEIR times, not mine.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m most proud about my perception of life. I was raised a foster child which I believe made me independent not only for self but within my space in the world. I used to leave a friends house at the age of 4 in the middle of the night because they wouldn’t let me go home. It was maybe 4 houses down and across a street, that story kind of sums up how I am, how I’ve always been in all things, resilient and never just taking no for an answer. I began sewing and modeling at age 10, doing hair at age 11 and having my first under the table job at a convenience store called “Flo Joe’s”! I got my first official job at 15 doing telemarketing, a few months later quit and began working at McDonald’s. I became pregnant at 16. I fluctuated between McDonald’s and doing housekeeping for hotels. From there I had several jobs; Walmart, housekeeping for hospitals, dietary aide, until I turned 20, when I started my journey of entrepreneurship. I opened my first in home daycare and ran it for about a year. It wasn’t easy and I had to figure out the entire process on my own. From there I went to The University of phoenix to become a probation officer. I quit after a year and the realization that I couldn’t stomach placing humans in jail. I then attended a secondary school to become a Dental Assistant, a 8 week program, I became pregnant 5 months in and due to the radiation had to postpone finishing. After giving birth I opened a women’s boutique (Allure2 Boutique) in my hometown, Erie Pa and ran it for about a year. I moved to Detroit and dove into modeling after closing my boutique. Smooth magazine was popular at the time so I went for that! I purchased one of their magazines from a 711 and went to the back to get someone’s direct contact, I found the owners, Sandy Vasceannie. I emailed her about featuring in the magazine, she replied within a few hours and stated that they were currently in Jamaica doing their Jamaica edition for the next 3 weeks and if I could make it out there. I had no passport, however I told her yes. The following morning I went to get my passport, I had proof of dates of travel so I was able to get my passport expedited. I shot for smooth Jamaica edition 2014/15. I began traveling hosting parties. In 2015 something in me switched, I didn’t recognize myself, my authentic self. I dropped everything, my relationship, my career and I got a job at a Walmart in Texas. Since then I’ve self healed the mass of my childhood trauma, raised 3 of the most beautiful humans that I know(not just because their my children, but because they’ve make my entire journey worth it), written 2 self help guides; Self Love to wealth” and “Love is all there is”, By Latoya Simpson both available on Amazon, I’ve created generational wealth and sustainability merging Self sufficiency and innovation to assist in ushering in a world of oneness.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’d get us all together and host a healing retreat, by way of tapping into each of our individual gifts/arts; Healing through music, would headline my sister/brother who’s passion/art is music and so forth. With the purpose of brining community to heal as one and often. The retreats would be hosted Oceanside.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
All 7 women who took part in raising me, my 3 children, Janauri, johnae and damoni, My husband, Christopher, my relatives and last but not least, The great I Am.

Instagram: Blessed_laconic

Other: Linktree; https://linktr.ee/Blessed_laconic

Image Credits
Shots by donday
Global Flo Pics