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

Hi Leah, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
The single most important decision that I have made that contributed to my success is embracing the power of the pivot. When I started out in my business, I started out as an published author. I wrote and published my first book Unapologetically Me: Living, Owning, & Walking in my truth in 2017. I was a first time author with no real business sense. I didn’t know anything about branding, niche, or building a business. I tried several things. Some of those things I was good at and other things I failed at miserable.

When I decided to pivot in my business, It was during the pandemic. It started with me identifying my strengths and focusing on those. The things that I wasn’t really good at I was able to learn more about it. I also hired me a business coach that would help me with strategy and implementation. I believe that pivoting in your business is vital when you are feeling stuck in your business.

I learned through pivoting that clarity is key. It is important to tap in with yourself and get clear about what you envision for your business and brand. Once you are clear, you will know what are the next steps you need to take in your business and brand.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am the CEO and Founder of Purposely Faithfull, LLC. It is my coaching and consulting firm that specializes in teaching Black, BIPOC, and Latinx women how to increase their visibility while making impact through the power of storytelling. Under my LLC, I run a brand called Visibility to Impact. It consists of 3 tiers which are quarterly workshops, mentorship, and a digital suite. This brand focuses on teaching my students how to position themselves as the expert with their books and/or podcast.

The road to starting this journey was not an easy one. I am a very creative person. For years, I operated in the creative trap. All I did was create with no strategy to implement. This happened because I was not clear or aligned with what I really want my business to look like. I had to stretch myself by hiring a coach who helped me to get clear about what it is that I wanted. The creative trap kept me in this endless cycle of trying all the things instead of getting into alignment with myself first.

One of the biggest lessons I learned along the way is know when to ask for help. As a Black woman, asking for help can be seen like a weakness but it really is a sign of strength. There’s a difference between working on your business and working in your business. You have to make the shift from being an entrepreneur to being a CEO.

I want the world to know that if you truly want to be a business owner than you have to take the first steps and be willing to shift or pivot as you learn and grow. Also, It is important to get clear and know that you don’t have to know everything just to start.

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?
ATL is literally one of my favorite cities. I absolutely love being in Atlanta. If I was going to take my girls out for the weekend, here’s the places I would say you must check out.

Food:

Who’s Got Soult Southern Cafe- Lawrenceville

Bahama Breeze- Duluth, GA

Museum:

Trap Music Museum- Atlanta, GA

Other Activities:

Top Golf- Atlanta, GA

CNN Center- Atlanta, GA

SkyView Atlanta

Shopping:

Lenox Square & Phipps Plaza for some good ole retail therapy.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely, I would first like to dedicate my shoutout to my Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. My relationship with God is everything to me. Secondly, I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my sibling tribe; Joel, Darrell, Kristal, Robyn, Dominique, & Anastacia. Also my honorary sibling who is really my first cousin, Tyler Tanai.

I would like to thank my Thrive Tribe. My online community who continues to grow and engage with me every step of my journey. I would like to thank my sister circle: Ashley Reed, Ashley Gilmore, Victoria Henderson, Erika Brown, Mia Pittman, Theresa Mitchell, Asia Brooks, Jolie Rashawn, Natyscha Pickett, Danielle Turner, Catherine Grant-Alston and Joquila Walker. Thank you for always been there and loving me through every season of my life.

I would like to thank my incredible no-nonsense CEO Success Partner, Precious S. Brown who stretches me in more ways than one to keep striving to create the life and business I desire. I am becoming a better CEO every day because of you.

To all my students under my brand Visibility To Impact who show up every cohort to learn how to position themselves as the expert using their books and/or podcast. My business would be nothing without each of you.

To my incredible significant other Brian, your love and support is impeccable. Thank you for always bring balance and peace to my life. Thank you for be so understanding as I get to the bag as you would say. Thank you baby

Lastly, I would like to thank my grandmothers Willetta Daniels & Noel Mays for your continuous love, support, and prayers. To my two sets of spiritual parents Bishop Ronald L. Godbee and Pastor Karla Godbee as well as my Momma Shirell Mcneill (R.I.P) and my Daddy Joe Mcneill. Your love, prayers, and wisdom still carries me through the days I want to give up.

And To all of my incredible listeners and supporters who tune in every week for a new episode of my show Hey Queen, Thrive! and all of you who have brought a book of mines since day one. Thank you.

Website: www.leahmforney.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-forney-3b089814/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/leahmforney

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

Other: Clubhouse: Leah M Forney TIKTOK: Leah M Forney

Image Credits
Photographer: Terrance Pickett & Carlton Jackson

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