Meet Lateesha James | Social Media Influencer, Teacher & Boutique Owner

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

Hi Lateesha, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m originally from Brinkley Arkansas. I come from a family full of pastors including both of my parents. I was raised and brought up in church since birth. I was also in the choir and on the praise dance team, haha. I have a big family! I’m the 7th child out of 9 kids. I remember growing up as a child and my mother started her own daycare at home. I was only in the elementary at the time and I would get so excited to help my mom with the kids. As I got older I use to always have these dreams of me being inside a classroom and I never knew why or what it meant. So as the years went by after I graduated in 2005 I started working in 2006 and my first job was at a childcare. I didn’t think nothing of it but in 2015 I began working at a Head Start. Then it came to me, like this was your dream and ever since then I have been working with kids and I am currently a Early Head Start teacher. I have been working with kids for 10 plus years. So growing up, watching my mother from her fashion to her being her own boss has really made an impact on my life. It’s because of my mother the reason why I love fashion and decorating. That made me want to get my own boutique started because I love clothes and putting things together. I even did a drawing of my boutique and how I want it to look from the inside to the outside. Seeing my mother work with young kids is the reason why I am who I am today as a Early Head Start teacher. I love children! Also, growing up in church plays a major part in my life too because in certain situations even when I do feel like giving up, I know to trust, believe, never doubt, and to never give up on my dreams no matter what the circumstances are. So what I live by is what God has for me it is for me and that everything will fall in place in Gods timing. My dreams is to become a social media influencer, a boutique owner, a brand ambassador and to collab with some of the hottest brands. I feel like one day my dreams will become a reality.

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.
Being a educator has taught me so much and over the years I have learned a lot about being a head start teacher, a boutique owner, and influencer. I know that it takes time and patience to get to where you want to be in life. Nothing comes easy and you have to start somewhere before you’re noticed or recognized. I’m proud of the person I am today because over the years I use to just think I was just a teacher that teach kids but no it’s more to that. I have learned not only am I their teacher but I am their leader, their role model, their mentor, their counselor, their support system, their cheerleader, & their best friend. I’ve learned that I play a major role in their lives and it’s my job to teach them what they need to know. Even when it comes to me being an influencer to other people it’s my job to be a great influencer and always be that light to others. What sets me apart is, I hate rushing when it comes to learning something. My patience is so good that I don’t mind waiting for that opportunity when it come knocking at my door. I’m willing to learn the techniques to becoming successful. I would rather listen first and then speak & ask questions later because I don’t know everything. I love learning new things and I am a fast learner. Some people be so quick to rush into something they know they not ready for and then they be so quick to give up. In other words, how can you start building a car if you don’t have the tools and instructions you need to start with. I need all the tools that’s going to help me in the long run especially if I’m trying to build my own brand. I started working as a childcare teacher in 2014 and in 2015 I became a Head Start teacher and earned my Childcare Development Associate (CDA) and over the years I have been going to so many trainings and it has really helped me to become who I am today. It made me a better teacher and the trainings helped me to look from a different angle when working with children and it helped me to overcome so many challenges that I use to face. I know how to deal with children in a better way and I know how to understand them more. When I started my boutique I was facing so many challenges. I was struggling because I was trying to learn everything on my own without asking for help and I didn’t know what I was doing. I was doing everything wrong but as the time went by I started researching more and I started seeing what needed to be done in order for my business to become successful. Then I started looking at how other people was running their business. So I took a break and started collecting more information and did more research about starting my own business. I have learned so much! I was so excited and so proud of myself because this time I didn’t rush the process. I begin to trust the process. So I am excited to announce I am officially back up and running!! The name of my online boutique is “Styles Avenue Boutique”. Make sure you ladies check it out.

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.
First we hitting up a few stores because I hate wearing old clothes. I need new outfits for the whole week lol. Then we hitting up a few rooftop parties, a few bars, a lounge with a nice setting, a karaoke spot, the finest restaurants in the city and ride some jet skis, get on a yacht and eat, go to a lil baby, Chris Brown, NBA young boy, boosie badazz, big boogie concert and hang out in the VIP section.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to my family & friends who supported me

Website: www.stylesavenueboutique.com

Instagram: Theofficialidesirebeauty