As a former classroom educator, Haven’s life was spiraling out of control along with her waistline. Through weight lost experiences she learned to Release her weight instead. As a Master Life Coach her goals and desires are the same for you. To be able to Release, resurge and navigate the demands of life.
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1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to be an author for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?
Becoming an author in general was something that I toted around within for years. I have always loved words and reading. From Donald Goines to the Bible, words have always captured my attention and soul. I pull heroes and role models from all facets of life, for me, it’s Kimora Lee Simmons, my idol, and Sanya Richards-Ross who is so motivating. I love the tenacity and endure of a professional athlete, their passion is as bananas as it is inviting.
2.) If you could compare yourself to someone who is already established in your line of work, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then what separates you from other everyone else who does what you do?
Self-help and weight release is a wide colorful palette. So from Rev. Dr. Micheal Bernard Beckwith to Gabrielle Bernstein and Queen Afua, I enjoy a multitude of authors within my genre. If I had to compare myself then Florence Scovel Shinn and her life, regardless of it being over a century ago, carries a strong theme to mine. When I am reading her work, I have to double check the dates, to make sure that this is 19th century writing, because her words still apply today. Scovel-Shinn’s body of work is the true definition of evergreen, which is one of my goals as an author.
3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the work that you do? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming an entrepreneur?
Yessss! My book is the result of my life. For instance when I resigned from teaching it was to be a children’s story author. However a miracle of love came my way and I was able to release 80 lbs of physical and mental weight, that led me to becoming a life coach, self-help author and fitness lover. A belief in a shortage of beauty is one of the things that I have had to endure on my path to becoming an entrepreneur. When your baby (be it a book and brand like myself) is being birth your thoughts and actions are put under a microscope (by yourself) and sometimes the results will reflect feelings of unworthiness. It’s there, those thoughts, that you have to attack, and that’s what takes time and energy otherwise known as the process.
4.) How do you prepare yourself to create? What is your process?
There are a variety of ways that I prepare to create however I will say that when creativity hits me I scramble for a pen, paper, voice recorder, sticky notes to capture my thoughts. I have notes all over the place and in everything. On a structured note, I mentally prepare by getting happy and intentionally raising my vibrations. Another step I often take is pulling juicy vocabulary from a list I’ve gathered and using those words in my writing that day. The key with this strategy is to not force words or flow. Yes the word is enticing however will this word knock you off of your writing goal if used. Also reading about writing is a part of my process, you never know any unmerited fear within until you read the words of others in the same field as you.
5.) Unfortunately many industries are full of talented individuals who more or less become the “starving artist” and don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or hard work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed?
One of the things that I do believe in, is the Universe honoring intention. So as long as my intentions are pure and sincere, I am covered, there is no lack, and I will not be giving my attention to something that I do not want. The discovery through healing that weight is released not lost is also an angle that separates me from the rest.
6.) Would you rather work for a big corporation or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? What makes one better than the other? Are you able to make a living with your art? If so, how were you able to attain a career doing what you love? If not, what do you do in order to fund your business? What advice would give to someone who’s interested in pursuing a career in the creative industry?
Definitely remain independent. That’s one of the reasons I resigned from teaching. I was ruing my own brand because my personality is not designed for certain professional settings. I have such peace now when I hear entrepreneur’s admit that they simply cannot work for anyone else. Since I am in the genesis of my journey I will say to hone in on who you are. Take a personality test and keep pursuing yourself from there. This step is imperative otherwise you will blow like a leaf in the wind with your decisions and create a disastrous, indecisive, life. You have to plant your feet so that you are able to experience success in all areas of your life.
7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the creative industry and how artists are able to market themselves? Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s economy if they’re not social media savvy?
The internet and social media are crazy paradigms that I have to consistently shift within my mind. Any industry creatives included needs a platform to be heard. So I feel that social media for any industry is great because one of the common goals in business is to remain profitable. Otherwise known as driving traffic and closing sales. Where I feel social media gets a bad rep is due to lack of privacy and what needs to be told and displayed. Also while I still see phone books and the yellow pages, I do feel that if your target audience is on social media then that’s where you need to be in order to maintain a living.
8.) Typically, entrepreneurs who try to create products and/or services for mass consumption for the general public and make more money are seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure that what you offer stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
Excellent question, fortunately for me I am on the journey of knowing and loving myself now, so I am planting my feet. Meaning when there are deals and situations that suit me I will accept because I am making a decision based off of who I am and not other peoples thoughts of me.
9.) What are the positives and negatives of the creative industry? What is it about the creative industry that makes some writers push forward? What do you think makes some writers quit?
I’m creating a lifestyle of talking about what I want, so I will focus on the positive. One thing that I love about the creative industry is that there is no cap or limit on imagination and creation. On Instagram I follow the hashtag #Afrofuturism and I am consistently amazed.
Creativity has no limits, however being a creative or what I love to call an empath, you do have to guard your energy in a serious manner. Meaning you can not share the same space with everyone and you are valuable enough to choose who you have your magical energy around.
Another positive that I love are collaborations, it’s key and it’s the key to discovering new artist across all fields and genres.
10.) What trends do you see staying or going?
One trend that I see growing and not going anywhere is speaking directly and frankly, from How To Unfuck Yourself to Release All In Love & Trust, you are receiving straightforward advice through compassion and from the author’s life experience’s.
11.) With so many people online who are expressing their opinions on any and everything under the sun, how do you know when to take something as constructive criticism or when to see it as trolling?
Great question and I feel that this is something that needs to be explored. It reminds me of the early days of the internet as well as Wikipedia, as an overall society (myself included) we developed a belief that if it is on t.v. or online then it is true -WRONG! Regardless of a person strongly expressing their opinion you have to do the research for yourself to establish your own belief system. It’s there that you will know what is hate versus constructive criticism. Considering your source is also a step in the direction of peace of mind aka behavior modification so that you are able to achieve your heart’s desire.
12.) If you were to advise an up and coming author on how to get more fans, what advice would you give them?
Friends and family are real, consider them your first official fans. Start with who you know and don’t sell yourself short. Do you attend church or belong to a hobby-based group? Start in your own backyard and then have them tell a friend. Word of mouth is one of your best fan-based growth strategies.
13.) There are multiple ways of attaining fans and building up your fanbase, so what are some ways you acquire fans?
Authenticity, no one wants to be lied to. When you truly hone in on who it is that you are, people, places and things will naturally gravitate towards you. That’s why I have been so focused on my energy and vibrations lately because that’s how you are able to achieve your goals. Of course, express yourself when you are upset or worried however its about not having a poor attitude. And I am speaking directly to myself with this one. High vibrations attract what we want and gives us the strength to endure to the end.
14.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
Five years from now I will be a multi-millionaire in the flesh, that has hit multiple bestseller book lists. Collaborating with some of hottest talent in my field, while deepening my connections and network. Last but not least, creating a true impact for my readers and followers, being able to walk some where and they say “I released 100 pounds of mental and physical weight based on your beliefs, words, and books”. These are a few of my goals and gets 😉