For Women’s History Month I will be sharing the stories that define and provide examples of women empowerment, uplifting stories of personal triumph and businesses that are inspiring and are making a difference for women. Women’s History Month is a declared month each year that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.
I want to introduce you to Erica Latrice, Speaker, Published Author, and Media Expert.
Erica Latrice is on a mission to help you understand your purpose and live the life that God has created you to live! She has been featured in The Huffington Post, Prevention, Woman’s Day and many other media outlets empowering others to stop playing small and start living their dreams! She is a Speaker, Published Author and has served as a media expert on platforms alongside some of the top producers in television, radio and print media worldwide. This is more than a career; Erica’s tenacity, spiritual walk and commitment to your success are the driving force behind her company Be Inspired! Inc. and her work as a Speaker, Founder & Mentor with the AmplifyHER Movement. Her tv show has aired in more than 17 million U.S. Households and growing worldwide. Her Passion is truly helping others to realize their potential and live a purpose-filled life!
Here is HERstory:
I’m passionate about helping as many women as possible step out and share their story in as many places as possible. This story was birthed out of my own desire to step out and share my story. Years ago, I heard about the story of young women who were running out of food and unable to provide for their children. It really broke my heart. I felt that we as a community should be able to do something about this. I decided to do my first women’s event at that time and the community came together and we were able to help those young women. That sparked the fire for me to keep going and launch AmplifyHER which was Be Inspired! at that time.
What is the name of your business? What type of business is it?
Be Inspired!. It’s a business that helps women to expand their reach, increase their voice to stand on their story through speaking media and messaging.
What does women empowerment mean to you?
It means coming from a place to collaborating and not competing. It means giving valuable steps and actions to others that will help make their lives better all while also being a recipient of those things as well.
What advice or words of inspiration would you like to share with someone?
No one can tell your story better than you. No one can qualify you for what God has already said is yours. Don’t wait for someone else’s permission to step out everyday that your waiting is a day that your trading your life for something that doesn’t matter to you.
What do you want your legacy to be?
Anyone that knew me or knows me personally that they feel equally as valued as anyone else in a public arena. I don’t want to be a public success and private failure. I want my children, friends and my family to be blessed and benefit from all the gifts God has given me just as much as anyone else. I want to be a safe place and blessing for other people as well so they can do the same with their family, love ones, message, voice and purpose.
What inspires you?
My mom, the lessons she left for me inspires me above all else. It’s just a reminder that what we do with each day is what we do with our life. If that doesn’t light us up then it’s not worth it.
What kind of impact do you want to have on those around you?
Ignite the fire in women that they are able to let their light shine. One of my favorite verses currently is, “Let your light so shine before men that they will see your good works and glorify your father in heaven” I hope to impact people in a way that draws them closer to God and understand that He is no respecter of persons so what He can do for one of us He can do for all of us to maximize the very gifts and uniqueness He has given each of us.
She has authored the following books: Finish, The Focus Fast, 100 Ways to Conquer College, Jumpstart Your Dream
What does self care mean to you?
The airplane principle. You cannot help anyone if you haven’t taken in your oxygen recovery recharge. Being intentional and unapologetic about times of unplugging, downtime and recharging.
What obstacles have you overcome or hurdles did you personally face and how did you overcome them?
I’ve definitely been told and labeled that I would not be able to do the very things I’m doing right now. The way I’ve overcome them is by silencing the noise around me and understanding that what someone else thinks about me is none of my business.
When did you realize entrepreneurship was right for you?
When I was 15 and on the dance team we would have these progressive dinners. One of which was hosted at a friends house that all 50 of us fit inside comfortably. I asked her parents what they did for a living and they responded with, “We work from home” and it was then that I said so will I. I will work from home. That is when I really felt determined to be an entrepreneur and from there all the chips fell into place. I’m sure I was selling stuff when I was in elementary school.
Why did you choose entrepreneurship?
Because I love the freedom to create opportunities for others as well as the opportunity to choose how I spend my day. Though it takes equally or more work than when I was an employee it’s worth it to me.
What would you say is your most driving motivation to keep doing what you to do?
Matthew 6:33 is my verse for this but also to be a blessing to other people while not wasting my time on this earth. My prayer is that anyone I interact with that I am adding value to their life and that I choose to be around those who can add value to mine as well.
What are you most excited or passionate about? (In both business and life or both)
I am so excited about helping women to find their voice and stand on their story and to get clarity around how they should spend their day and step out in their gifts. In business and life it’s equal. I am passionate about being an example to my children that no matter the direction they feel called to by God that they are to accomplish it as they step out and do it.
What are the goals you most want to accomplish in your business and personally?
To continue to say that 20+ years from now I’m still doing that lights me up.
Did you have any key mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are, what you believe in and what you’re committed to in your work and life? Tell me about them.
My mother, she overcame so much adversity. She was one of the top influencers for my drive in entrepreneurship because I was able to see her create businesses without having key influences in front of her. There was no such thing as a period after a NO, it was always how do I get to the yes for her and that taught me a great deal.
Did you have any life-changing experiences that put you on the path that led you to be doing what you’re doing today? Tell me about them.
Absolutely, many life changing experiences of self-doubt, doors closing, losing jobs and each time along the way was a lesson and feedback that I can now implement to help others.
What’s next for you in your business/brand? What can readers look forward to from you?
The readers can look forward to our Born to Soar Conference. The first one of this year will be April 23-25 2021 with more to come.
