Today we’d like to introduce you to LaToya Andrews.
Hi LaToya, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I was born and raised here in Dallas – GO COWBOYS! My grandfather was a pastor so my childhood was very faith-based. Between my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and older cousins, I was reared and shaped by literally a village of amazing people, who all did their part to ensure that I grew up to be independent, strong, intelligent, and benevolent with a sense direction and mindfulness. More specifically, I was taught to be all those things at 110% being fully aware I’m a double minority – I am a woman and I am black. Being born those two things means that I will always have to work harder and smarter. So very early on, I was always performance-driven and goal-oriented, often deemed an over-achiever.
I graduated from Desoto High School – GO EAGLES – in Desoto, TX, and in adulthood, as a wife and mother, I attended college online, first obtaining a Bachelor’s in Finance and here recently, a Master’s in Business Administration. I am the owner of Hi Priority Virtual Solutions LLC, a business solutions company where I work with entrepreneurs and small business owners on all the aspects of their business needs – branding, digital marketing, social media management, content creation, website design, bookkeeping, task management, etc. Together, my husband and I own Andrews Enterprises, tax agency, and credit repair company. And, I manage my own personal brand, LC’Rae, as an up-and-coming micro-influencer and blogger – first blog post dropping in 2022 Q1!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Coming to this point in my life has not been an easy road. I have had many struggles along the way.
I suffer from depression and anxiety, which first reared its ugly head when I lost my grandfather in 2010. He raised me and was very instrumental in who I am today. When he passed, I was a young mother and student in my first marriage working a full-time job. That time was very dark for me, but it was a very defining part of my life because it showed me that I had the strength to battle through spiritual warfare.
I suffer from self-doubt and the fear of rejection. Like I said before, I’ve always been fully aware that I’m both black and a woman – both categories of people have been vastly underestimated and historically made to feel less equal to the rest. It fuels my will to do better and be better. I’m a research junkie. I pride myself on knowing a little about a lot and the art of setting goals and achieving them, but what if that’s not enough? What if I’m not enough? What if I fail? Sometimes it’s paralyzing and makes me not want to start because I’m afraid.
However, I’m lucky to surround myself with a husband and others in my life who encourage me, push me, help me realize my potential, and support my ambition and I am all about sharing that positivity with my circle of people as well as my clients.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I love to help people! Something that I’ve done in the past was help people execute their business aspirations on different levels. Rather it was mundane tasks for a friend who owns a business or working as a part-time personal assistant, I’ve always told my entrepreneurial friends (and even my husband), “You come up with the plan and I’ll help you execute.’ Couple that with my education and business savvy, Hi Priority was born.
Because my business is virtual, I can work with anyone globally. If you’re just getting started with your business and need help setting it up and building your brand…If you did it all alone and now that your business is rapidly growing, you don’t have the time or capacity to maintain it alone anymore…or you need guidance on how to take your business to the next level through marketing or pitching to investors…I GOT YOU!
I don’t have a particular niche, but I’m a true feminist so my heart is with the female entrepreneurs, especially moms like myself.
And, let’s not forget my personal brand, LC’Rae, as a micro-influencer and ambassador to several brands. Be on the lookout! I’m starting a blog early 2022 where I’ll write about all aspects of the modern woman’s life – marriage, motherhood, health, self-love, business, finances, friendship, etc – and I’ll be highlighting women – famous and non-famous – who inspire and blaze trails for the rest of us. There will also be financial tips and posts about mental, spiritual, and physical wellness.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice to those starting out is the advice that was given to me – it will never be perfect and you’ll never be 100% ready. You just have to have to go for it! Gather your resources and do your research so you can make informed decisions for your business or whatever goal in life you’re pursuing, but just do it. That fear will always be there, but what separates the strong from the weak is pushing through that fear. Fritz Perls says “fear is excitement without breath.” So that anxiousness is excitement for what’s coming.
And when you arrive, be ready for the haters. You’re going to promote yourself and people will un-follow you. You’re going to strive for more and people will talk behind your back. People (family, friends, or foes) will bring you all types of negativity, but continue to affirm yourself and use it as fuel to push forward. Jealousy is nothing more than low functioning admiration.
Promote yourself, expand your business, feel good about your accomplishments, set some more goals, and revel in what God has for you!
Contact Info:
- Email: latoya@hipriorityvirtualsolutions.com
- Website: www.hipriorityvirtualsolutions.com; www.andrewsenterprisesllc.com
- Instagram: @hipriorityvs; @l_c_rae, @andrewsenterprises
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/hipriorityvsllc; www.facebook.com/andrews.enterprises21
Image Credits
Visuals by Sasha
