Today we’d like to introduce you to LaSandra Collins.
LaSandra, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have always encouraged, inspired, and motivated others to fulfill their aspirations and dreams. But when my life took a downward turn, I had to embrace who God was calling me to be. God showed me that He created me for something bigger than I could ever imagine. It was then that my gifts collided with my real purpose, and I understood that my true calling was to encourage others to see themselves as Christ sees them so that they can walk in their divine purpose.
I am where I am today because of perseverance and tenacity. I never gave up! Through all the adversities I faced, the struggles I went through, and I overcame them all. I believe those difficult roads I traveled in my journey were so that I could show others that, despite challenges and obstacles, if you keep the faith, you can succeed. Now, I share my experiences so that others may be empowered, encouraged, and enlightened.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, this has not been a smooth road. I have faced many obstacles; positioning yourself as a Motivational Speaker is not an easy feat. I have been posting inspirations for over ten years. Back in 2011, I thought I was getting a break when I was asked to write some poems for a Screenwriter’s screenplay, I did, and after the first show, she wrote them out. I released my first book in 2018. Shortly after that, I got two invitations to speak at two different engagements. They were later canceled and not rescheduled. Because of these setbacks, I debuted myself as a Motivational Speaker hosting the “Free to Be Me” conference in June 2019. This conference allowed me to establish a platform to encourage the multitudes of people who need to hear my story.
In December 2015, I formed an online inspirational T-shirt line, and I am still trying to establish my tees as a brand. My biggest mistake is not staying consistent with marketing and understanding how to build sales funnels to drive traffic to my site. I have partnered with a marketing and brand strategist to help me brand me, my t-shirt line, and my Career Coaching service company.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
LaSandra Collins, LLC, is a Public Speaking engagement company that seeks to help others understand who they are in Christ. A subsidiary of this company is Competitive Edge, which is in its infant stage is a Career Coaching company offering an online course – Ready, Set, Job Offer. This is a four-week course teaching the mechanics of resume, creating a Job strategy, interviewing prep and coaching on how to answer interview questions, offering insights on the Job offer ( contingency – Background checks, Drug Screens, salary negotiation). We will also offer career coaching on how to navigate your career. Competitive Edge will arm job seekers with strategies for searching for jobs and showing them how to market themselves in a competitive job market. J I L Designs, LLC is an online retail company that sells spiritual expressions on T-shirts, coffee mugs, and journals.
What LaSandra Collins is known for is inspiring others to walk in purpose. What I am most proud of with all of these companies is that they allow you to be your true authentic self, and that is what sets us apart from other companies. We understand that everyone is unique in their own right, and that’s okay because your attributes have a place in this world too.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Above all, I give all praises to God for the gifts and vision He has given me; without him, none of this would be possible. Yes, I have great accountability partners and supporters. My biggest cheerleader is my husband, Kelvin Collins. He has stood by me and supported me from the very beginning. I depend on him a lot for spiritual support. I have two prayer partners, Karla McKissack-Richardson and Shaunda Williams. I can count on these two ladies to keep me grounded in prayer.
Karla also doubles as my accountability partner. I can depend on her to call, asking me what I have done to meet my goals in completing projects. A great example of this was my book project. She would call at least once a week, ensuring I was still on course with my writing deadline. Shaunda also doubles as my assistant. I can depend on her for everything I need from reading the draft of my book to dressing me for my engagements. She is there for whatever I need. My Mother and Sisters are some of my top supporters. They understand my mission and encourage me to stay the course. All these individuals serve to keep me focused on my way, keeping my ground and surrounded by positive reinforcement.
I get inspiration from everywhere. Quite often, my inspirational posts are based on conversations I have had, the things I read, and even things I watch on television; this is how I am able to motivate others because I provide relevant inspiration based on real-life scenarios. I always keep in mind that there is always someone else going through the same or something similar as you are.
As far as Career Coaching goes, my day job plays a significant role in that. I work in the Healthcare industry at a prominent hospital in Houston, Texas. There is not a day that I do not get a request from someone looking for help in gaining employment with my organization or employees asking me how they can move into a prospective career field. So, I would have to say, those who have reached out to me through the various social media platforms played a significant role in encouraging me to establish a Career Coaching service company.
Contact Info:
- Website: lasandracollins.com
- Phone: 490-923-9515
- Email: lasandracollinsspeaks@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromachristianperspective/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LASCOLLINS07
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lwcollins
Image Credit:
Free To Be Me Speakers (L-R) – Redessa Shaw, Micah Moore, Melanie Bazile, LaSandra Collins and Eleanor Ward
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