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

Hi Lina, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my success was getting out of my own way. When traumatic things happen to us in life, we can take on the mindset of a victim or conqueror. For many years, I carried around the hurt and pain from my past, which caused me to be angry, guarded, and uncertain of my untapped potential. Additionally, I had little to no self-esteem.

However, deep down, I knew that there was something greater that I had been called to do. After obtaining my healing, I was able to transform my victim mindset to one of more than a conqueror. Instead of viewing others as a threat because I couldn’t see what they were seeing in me, I began to accept mentorship and learned to be comfortable and confident in whom God called me to be.

Walking in a posture of healing will help you to understand that there is no competition, but you. So, I had to get out of my own way! In doing this, I began to welcome assignments and tasks that stretched me outside of my comfort zone. I began to market my non-profit at the recommendation of a business coach through various outlets to include social media, networking, and accepting speaking engagements. By the way! I used to be terrified to speak publicly.

I have learned to be authentic, humble, and focused while remaining coachable, teachable, and trainable. As a result of getting out of my way and seeking assistance from others, I have had several speaking engagements over the past few years, partnerships with local and state agencies, and contracts with our local sheriff’s office. I am also the first black female Director in my corporate role. So, we must get out of our way in order to find our way to our true purpose.

What should our readers know about your business?
Forever Healed, Inc. is a non-profit organization providing Grief Awareness seminars, workshops, and lunch & learns to educate on the concept of grief/grieving, the most misunderstood and neglected emotional process a person can experience during their life. What sets me apart from others is that the work I do for the community is personal, it is a ministry of healing and hope. I can personally relate with most of my clients as I have overcome several losses to include child abuse, spousal abuse, loss of a loved one as a result of homicide, and health challenges.

I am extremely proud of the partnerships that we have with the Richmond Police Department’s Victim Assistance Program and the City of Richmond Sheriff’s office. We are able to provide services to those suffering from a loss as a result of homicide, incarceration, and secondary trauma. It is a blessing to be able to give back to this population. It was also a humbling experience to co-author a book, Pursue, with several amazing female entrepreneurs in 2021. I have also written an e-Book, Understanding Grief; A Prescription for your Broken Heart. More recently, I was promoted as Director in my corporate role. I am the first black female director in Operations at a Long Term Care Insurance carrier.

After completing my healing work, I realized that there was a greater calling on my life outside of the pain that I had endured. My heart was to serve those who were hurting in the church. However, initially, the church rejected what we had to offer. This was challenging, however we continued to persevere and we shifted our focus to corporate where we were welcomed with open arms. This experience allowed us to sharpen our skills and prepared us when the churches began to reach out for our services. Professional maturity and timing are key in overcoming challenges.

There were several lessons learned along the way, however the most influential lesson was never compare your gifts, journey, business, or success to that of others. We are all unique and individual, so our path may be different from the path(s) of others. You must stay focused on what you were called to do, distractions will come to take you off course. Be true to your authentic self and do it in the manner in which you were called without comparison. I have also learned to appreciate failures. There are lessons in failures and/or setbacks. We must embrace failure as a side effect of motivation.

I would like the world to know that we can be more than survivors, outliving a situation, to having a mindset that we are more than conquerors. When we conquer a challenge through effective healing, we are no longer bound by its grip. We can live our lives free of past hurt, pain and failures. There is life beyond the pain.

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.
If I had friends visiting the area and wanted to show them the best time ever, I would take them to Charlottesville, VA to visit the Monticello grounds. This exhibit engages the senses, stimulates the mind and provides a rewarding experience for all ages and interests, We would have massages at Glow Med Spa while enjoying the soothing atmosphere. This establishment will treat you like royalty, We would eat classic Southern comfort food at Southern Kitchen. The Southern Rolls are amazing and addictive. A spirit dinner cruise with dining, dancing, and games while enjoying a spectacular view must be on the to do list.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There were so many people who have supported me throughout my journey. My husband, Kevin Lassiter, encouraged me to go back to school and complete my degree. He has been supportive emotionally, physically, and financially with regard to starting a non-profit organization. Whenever I felt like giving up, he was there to encourage me to stay focused on the goal and promises of God. My business coach, Sharvette Mitchell, pushed me out of my comfort zone and equipped me with the necessary tools to brand, market, and build my business. Sharvette’s assistance propelled us quickly in connecting with others in the community and locking down contracts with several businesses. Divine World Changers International Ministries was one of the first churches to allow our non-profit to facilitate grief recovery classes. And, of course, I have had several family members and friends who have labored with me from the beginning and they remain standing in support today. Last, but certainly not least, I could not have accomplished any of what I have been able to accomplish without my team; a special shoutout to the our board members (Chasity Woodson, Rosilind Cephas, Brian Saunders, and Kevin Lassiter) Thank you, all, for your love and continued support.

Website: www.foreverhealed.com

Instagram: foreverhealed

Linkedin: Forever Healed

Twitter: @4everhealed

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

Youtube: Forever Healed

Image Credits
Kimmie James

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