Meet JeQuita Zachary | Authorprenuer

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

Hi JeQuita, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
My favorite quote comes from Psalms 139:14, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are thy works and that my soul knoweth right well”. This reminds me that God formed me to be just as I am and look the way I am and be who I am. Many times, the world will try to compare you and make you feel less than. With this, I am reminded that wonderfully made by God the Creator and I praise Him for that. This is why my book I Am Pretty is so near and dear to my heart. It celebrates and acknowledges who we are and celebrates the beauty that is you.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am the author of two children’s books, Gary the Greater Gator and newly released, I Am PRETTY! In 2019, I became a Certified Therapeutic Art Life Coach and a Certified Confidence Coach. I understand the psychology behind how to use art therapy to change limiting patterns and beliefs. I use art therapy techniques to help others to increase their happiness, positively manage their emotions, and feel more confident.

I am most proud of my newest book, I Am Pretty. I Am PRETTY was written to inspire girls to love themselves, highlighting that true prettiness comes from what is on the inside. Today, people get so caught up in being outwardly pretty. We compare ourselves to others and feel like we are not as pretty as the next person. We each have our own prettiness. You can be pretty as you are, not pretty like them. This book inspires girls to be pretty, strong, kind, and loving.

I often host P.R.E.T.T.Y. Parties for girls and women to come together and focus on a component of being P.R.E.T.T.Y. (Poise, Respect, Etiquette, Thinking, Talent, and Yearning for more) by way of training, goal setting, and engaging activities. No party is complete without food, drinks, and decorations. We offer these services as well.

I am also a speaker for ministry and educational topics including but not limited to Self-esteem, Purpose, Love and Marriage and Goal Setting

For the most part, being a business owner has been a smooth road. I haven’t let go of my full-time job just yet though. I often get a little emotional when I have to tell my story. I had to go back to when I was 5 and my teacher made me feel ugly! She would constantly call me fat, dark, and constantly talked about me to other teachers and sometimes would call me this to my face. I believed what she said and I never told my parents what she would say. I would just come home and tell my mom I was ugly and I did not like myself. Of course, this would hurt her feelings and she would often tell me that me saying those ugly words about myself was a slap in the Creator’s face. I soon begin to understand what she was saying and love who I am and know that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Having experienced bullying, low self-esteem, and now healing helps me be able to help others with their struggles and I think this is what sets me apart. I have the personal knowledge and experience to help others overcome their personal struggles as well.
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If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am all about fun and relaxation. I would have to first take my friend to Chateau Elan Winery & Resort in Braselton, GA. We would spend at least two days relaxing by the pool. visiting the spa, experiencing great food, and the winery. I am a southern girl at heart, I am a sucker for a great tea time and bike riding. Which we will also experience at Chateau Elan. We would have to spend some time at the Civil Rights Museum and the MLK Center taking in the history of Atlanta and honoring our part in the Civil Rights Movement. We would eat at one of the Ponce City Market restaurants. There we can have an array of options to choose from and get everything from dinner to desserts (and a good drink too.) To add a little adventure to our trip, we would visit Sky View, and who doesn’t love a good selfie? We would visit Atlanta Selfie Museum. We would eat at The Slutty Vegan Atlanta. Y’all know I like art, right? I would take my friend for a little fun at ATL Exotic Paintings BYOB. That’s a whole vibe on its own. We would get a group of my other girlfriends together and head over to The Pink Hotel for a Little Black Apron party. While also on her visit, we would do a little shopping supporting other small black-owned businesses. We must buy books, so we would visit Nubian Bookstore in Morrow, GA, and Medu Bookstore in Atlanta, GA.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Charmaine Guyton

Website: jequita.com

Instagram: jequitazacharyjohnson

Linkedin: Jequitazacharyjohnson

Twitter: queenquita

Facebook: jequitaspeaks

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLH26sU4FsL5fU3d4iV0vtA