Today we’d like to introduce you to LaKisha Tolbert.
Hi LaKisha, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story and love for people motivate me. I overcame the odds as a teen mom at 15, born to a teen mother, and raised in a single-parent home. I have had a mission to guide others toward a less challenging road while encouraging those on a similar path to keep pushing through the obstacles. It is not just a business but my passion and purpose. I was made to motivate and encourage. I am encouraging no matter where I am, even in the grocery store. I started honoring women at an annual empowerment event (Water Her Heart) because I genuinely want to lift as I climb. We all have gifts, talents, and strengths, and mine is pouring into others without judgment and motivating with guidance and support.
Approximately five years ago, I began my journey as a licensed professional counselor providing in-home counseling for children in foster care. I enjoy working with children. I was a special education teacher and school counselor. However, I also see where women need support. We often wear our capes to bed because we are too drained from saving the world to take it off. Mothers need an affordable mini retreat and a supportive, safe circle. I know I was that mother. I had a child going through an emotional crisis. I scraped up the money to send her to counseling, but I did not have an outlet for myself other than family and friends who did not fully grasp what we were experiencing.
You must put on the mask and the cape and keep moving as long as everyone else is good, but you cannot pour from an empty vessel.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In the African American and Hispanic communities, counseling and mental health are taboo topics. We are beginning to remove the stigma and increase our understanding of mental illness and emotional challenges. Our community needs to see more faces like them discussing self-care and mental health. Starting a business can be difficult because of the lack of knowledge, limited resources, and available funding. I have been managing by working extra hours and receiving support from friends and family.
With the need and desire to make a positive impact, I saw the need to expand my counseling and coaching services to adults. Telehealth works, but sometimes face-to-face is a more personable experience. I was able to secure a reasonable location. We have been accredited to provide Drug Education Courses and are in the process of adding other court-mandated and personal development courses. Adding these services take money, time, and a team. We have mindful moment service relaxation stations and empowerment workshops to practice self-care. We provide mindful moments activities where customers practice self-care, healthy coping, and calming skills through painting, planting, coloring, creating terrariums, spoken word, yoga, aerobics, and sister support circles. Eventually, I would like to have a small business center area to help with goals-setting and interviewing skills and have co-working opportunities.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
LaKisha Tolbert is the owner of WATER The Heart and founder of Way to Water. She is the author of an inspirational book about her journey, “Flawed but Fabulous: A Seed of Hope” She also wrote Heart Decisions Workbook and Heart Core Poetry. Tolbert is a Licensed Professional Counselor and experienced educator with over 15 years of experience in a Title I school. She is certified in EC-4, ELR 4-8, EC-12 Special Education, and School Counseling. She has worked for the following non-profit agencies: Project SAVE, Adult Literacy, and Even Start, where she received mentor and WAIT “relationship training. Her personal and professional journey has given her experiences, understanding, and skills to assist others on their journey of success with mental and emotional strength. I utilized a down-to-earth approach and innovative ways to educate others on mental health and personal development. I am able to relate because of my understanding of our cultural dynamics and our nuances. This makes a significant difference in forming rapport because communication is the bridge to breaking barriers and building trust.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My counseling supervisor Jennifer Perla introduced me to Nekaya Duffey, the owner of NDC Group, who has been a Godsend in helping me on my journey. My children Keziah and Quay’Shaun for encouraging me and being great kids while momma pursued her dreams. My husband Zswalyn has been a great friend and support along the way. My family and friends, who have grown to be family, have pushed me, wiped tears away, and reminded me of how I was when times were heard. My biggest cheerleader my mother Charlotte Edwards for pouring into me what knowledge she had and introducing me to God. With God and my faith, I am enduring this race.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.watertheheart.com
- Instagram: @watertheheart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watertheart
- Other: www.way2water.org
