Meet Nytoyia Laughlin | Author, Founder of Crowned Journey & Host of the Crowned to Serve Podcast

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

Hi Nytoyia, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was raised in Miami, Florida, by very young parents, 15 and 16 years old. Because of that, I was what some might call a “family child,” raised around a circle of strong women, including my grandmother and aunts. They were figuring life out in real time, and I witnessed both the beauty and the brokenness that came with that. I’m the oldest daughter, oldest grandchild, and oldest great-grandchild, so leading has never been optional for me. It’s been my default.

We weren’t a faith-based household, and we’re still not, but I always felt this pull to do more with my life to become someone who made a difference. And even though I’ve never been the most outwardly emotional or vulnerable person, probably because of trust issues and the environments I was raised in, I’ve always carried a deep desire to help and uplift the people around me.

That tension between wanting to protect myself and wanting to serve others is what shaped the foundation of Crowned Journey. It’s a reflection of the girl who led before she was ready, who grew up watching women survive, and who now chooses to build a life rooted in impact, not just image.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is expression through elevation — I tell stories that help women rise. Whether it’s on the page, behind the mic, or through the community I’m building, I use words to connect women back to themselves.

What sets me apart is that my work doesn’t ask people to be perfect — it just asks them to be honest. I’m not here to sell a highlight reel. I’m here to reflect the journey — the real one — where healing, humor, hustle, and heart all live in the same sentence.

I’m most excited about Crowned Journey because it’s not just one thing; it’s a layered experience. It’s a book (Confidence in Your Crown), a podcast (Crowned to Serve), a community, and a lifestyle built on purpose, connection, and vulnerability. And it’s still evolving. That’s the beautiful part.

Getting to this point professionally hasn’t been easy. I’ve had to pivot more times than I can count. I’ve worn every hat: the visionary, the worker, the fixer, the motivator, sometimes all in the same day. I’ve had to teach myself how to recover in public without losing my identity in the process. And I’ve had to learn how to keep building even when my confidence was cracked.

The biggest lesson? Don’t wait for clarity to start. Sometimes the clarity comes after the commitment.

I want the world to know that I didn’t stumble into this; I chose it. I chose to create something that didn’t exist for me. Something that feels sacred and soft and strong all at once. I’m not trying to be a brand that fits in a box; I’m building a legacy that breaks it.

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?
If my best friend came to visit Atlanta, she’s not getting a tourist tour.

Day 1:
We’re starting with brunch at Two Urban Licks; the vibe, the food, and the firewall are all top tier. After that, we’ll chill near Centennial Olympic Park to take in the city’s energy. That evening, we’re setting the tone with live jazz at St. James Live.

Day 2:
We’ll head to the High Museum for a mix of contemporary and classic art, followed by lunch at Kurshio because we love sushi. Then maybe wander through the BeltLine for murals and photo ops, dinner at Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours.

Day 3:
After all the running around, we’d reset with a spa day, I’m thinking something luxe like The Spa at The Whitley. Then a cozy night in.

Day 4:
We’ll hit up Ponce City Market to sip, shop, and maybe sneak in a mini photo shoot. Then swing by For Keeps Books for something soulful and smart to take home—a slice from Fellini’s and drinks at Drawbar or The Garden Room.

Day 5:
We’ll sleep in and then do brunch at Breakfast at Barney’s (yes to the 24k pancakes!) Then maybe a casual walk near The Krog Street Market, or even The Sloomoo Institute, for something unexpected and fun.

Day 6:
Dinner reservations at Marcel.

Day 7:
Brunch at Toast on Lenox. Then we’re heading somewhere chill like Rock Steady, Tassili’s Lounge, or Sovereign Sweets for daiquiris, dancing, or just decompressing over good music and laughter.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people who have helped shape the woman I am today, but first, I have to shout out the women who raised me: my mom, my grandmother, and my aunts. They were doing the best they could with what they had, and watching them taught me resilience, resourcefulness, and how to keep showing up even when life is heavy. Their strength became the blueprint.

I also want to honor my younger sisters. Being the oldest meant leading from early on, even when I didn’t feel ready. But my sisters taught me how to be responsible, how to love fiercely, and how to fight for more, not just for myself but for the people coming behind me.

I’m also incredibly thankful for my husband. While we haven’t walked every chapter together, his support in this current season as I step fully into Crowned Journey and everything it represents means the world to me. He reminds me that it’s okay to be seen, loved, and supported while building something sacred.

And finally, my sons. They’re grown now, but they’ve been the driving force behind so many of my decisions. They made me a mother, but more than that, they made me accountable to legacy. Every move I make is with their future in mind.

I haven’t really had mentors or big sisters pouring into me along the way, but I’ve learned to be the woman I once needed, and that’s who I show up as now. Confidence in Your Crown, Crowned to Serve, and everything I create is a reflection of that journey.

Website: https://crownedjourney.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555971632375

Other: https://rss.alivepodcastnetwork.com/crowned-to-serve Podcast, available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify Podcast, Pandora, iHeart, etc