Meet Dr. Lisa T. Sistrunk, EdD. | Mentor; Life Coach; Author; CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Lisa T. Sistrunk, EdD. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Lisa T., can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have always been someone who people sought for advice, comfort, guidance, and to talk freely to. I value that opportunity to be present with others. As my career took more of a training focus – receiving training in various aspects of human development and then providing the training to clients and colleagues, I felt at home. Like this was where I was supposed to be. I began providing training and informal chat sessions to those outside of my employer- churches, NPO’s, women’s groups…just to share the information.

People started offering to pay for my services. They say when you are willing to do what you love for free, the money will come. And that is what happened. I soon made an exit plan from my employer. It didn’t work out as smoothly as I planned. I think I got scared to take the full leap. So, I backed off. But, if you don’t move when your spirit says move, spirit has a way of moving you. And that way is not always comfortable.

And now here I am, almost 10 years in and I still love what I do!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am relational. What sets me apart is being able to connect with others where they are, and in ways that are open and meaningful to them. What I do comes from my unique experiences and interactions with others. This allows me to develop and enhance solutions from a blended perspective.

I am most proud of my book “Her 12th Year: She’s not so little anymore”, and I’m most excited about The I AM GIRL GREATNESS (IAGG) Movement that naturally grew from the book. “Her 12th Year” is not only a legacy for me, my daughter, and my journey as a girl-parent, it offers others who are blessed to be in the front row of a tween or early teen’s life to create their own legacy of deep love, solid connection, and genuine communication that can be experienced for generations. My excitement about The Movement comes from seeing girls, 8-70 years old, catch the same fire of The Movement. They join by accepting and wearing an IAGG wristband declaring their own greatness, sharing a band with a friend, betting on themselves to win, speaking life into themselves and other females, and working to only compete against themselves to bet better than they were the moment before.

I took my first business course in 2021! So when I started in 2013 I did not run it as efficiently or systematically as I should have. I never lacked clients, just the consistency in which they were secured. There have definitely been both feast and famine seasons. But I never gave up. I sought mentors, read articles, picked the brains of those who were doing well as entrepreneurs in my field of business, and honed my abilities along the way.

What I have learned is…Determine your own vision- no one has nor sees your exact vision as you do- and that’s ok. Do it afraid. Keep moving forward. Never stop learning. Not every client is my client. Not all money is good money. Be observant. Align yourself with like-minded individuals, those who are where you are, those who are where you are going, and those who are where you have been. Laugh loud & often. Get rest. Keep learning (did I already say that?). Stay self-aware. Your gifts will make room for you.

My taglines are more than taglines. They are how I live out loud in my personal and professional environments. They are “Elevate your ordinary,” and “Life is amazing even on challenging days.” These are my grounding connections. Everything I do, I do from this lens. It is my purpose to help others see their lives from this lens and therefore to live and move with expectant joy. My story is I was a tween and teen girl. I was a young adult and am an adult woman, who along the way became a mom to a Great Girl. Life was not always fun nor easy, but I keep moving. I wanted to share my journey with my Great Girl with hopes that the potholes and craters on her journey wouldn’t be as deep as mine. But if and when they were, she would always know I was there for her, with her, guiding and cheering for her greatness good. That’s my story.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Hmmm… We start with breakfast/brunch at Gochas Breakfast Bar on Glynn St, Fayetteville. We’d have to walk along the beltline- lots to see, taste and do. For lunch, we’d go to the Food Terminal on Bufford Hwy, Chamblee. For dinner, we’d go back to the beltline as there are so many good choices for good food, great vibes, tasty drinks, and people watching! Throughout the week, we’d have to check out the Martin L. King Jr. National Park, with all of its teachings and historic buildings and monuments, and while in the area we’d take pic on the Jackson St Bridge; and we’d have to go to the Center for Civil and Human Rights. If the visit is right on time then we will catch a great show at the Southwest Arts Center on New Hope Rd or at the Fox Theater downtown.

The metro ATL and surrounding areas have some great parks for biking, hiking, and nature watching. From Sweetwater Creek to the Cascade Nature Reserve to Kennesaw Mountain…It all depends on what type of shape my guests are in and how much physical activity they want to get into. I’d reward their efforts at one of Slutty Vegan’s great locations for one of the best burgers (non-meat) and fry combos in the world!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I must start with recognizing my parents, Benjamin H. Tillman, III and Joyce JP Tillman. Both have passed now. My dad passed just as I was starting my career and my mom not long after seeing me defend my dissertation in 2020. Mom attended some of my workshops and conferences, and even helped me edit the early parts of my 1st book. My parents were driving forces to who I am today. My sister, the poet and author, Brenda M. Tillman, also known as BMichelle, lead the way with 3 books and an unending belief in her little sister! My daughter, Kamaria, who I always strive to be a better person for, and who tells me when I’m doing a great job and when I may need to adjust; and my husband, Mark, who supports my ideas big and small, tries to help me focus, and makes sure I eat, rest, and have times of pure laughter so I have the capacity to continue my path.

A few others who have aided my development, whether they know it or not, include: Eartha Keith, Carla Bryant, Ethel Seiderman, Maurico Palma, Pamela Ross, Lee Lesser, James Rodriguez, Bobbi Hicks, Gail Snow, Aida Diaz, and Sharolyn Payton- among others- all have mentored and spoke life into my professional journey. For all of them I am eternally grateful!

Website: www.Her12thYear.com and www.DHElevation.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dhelevation/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisatsistrunk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dhelevation

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DHElevation/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGOhBCabCZUkxa8FTpEzGlg

Other: TikTok – https://www.dhelevation.com/