FEATURE STORY
12
Questions with Latoya
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What was it like growing up in Jamaica ?
Growing up in Jamaica was a blessing . I think this was the start to laying a great foundation for the trajectory of my life . Without intending to sound prideful , Jamaicans are very smart , hardworking , and ambitious people , and I learned that from an early age . The running joke is that most Jamaicans come to America and have like four jobs ( lol ). Survival for us is a built-in mechanism .
Life in Jamaica was challenging at times , especially if you are from a family with little resources , as I was . So , I learned early how to be disciplined and consistent . My mom made sure that as I got older , I would work during the Summer , and I am happy she did . Thank you , mom . I learned money management and what it means to have a good work ethic from a young age . This has helped me manage my business today .
I grew up surrounded by a lot of love , which may sound relative , considering that different people may equate different things to love . It is important that I connect with people and situations through love . As a child , I did not understand why my parents and grandparents were such " deep " people and had a Jamaican proverb for everything . Sometimes I used to roll my eyes . ( lol ). Now , I wish I could tell my grandma how much these proverbs helped me in adulthood and thank her for always saying them .
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What was the most important lesson learned from growing up that has molded you into the woman you are today ? The most important lessons learned growing up were lessons on hard work and never being solely dependent on anyone . I learned to not wait for things to happen , but to go out and make them happen , and to have faith , and to put God in everything I do . I never do anything without consulting God or asking my angels for guidance and protection . It is extremely important to me .
Share with us what your current life looks like - work , family life , etc .
My life , wow , where do I start ? I wear so many hats . I currently run two companies ; the first is where I started my fashion journey in New York and is my styling company LaToya Mc Inc . I am the Fashion Stylist / Creative Director . My second company is my eyewear brand , Hautelife World Eyewear . Running both companies takes a lot of time , and it does not leave much room for a social life worth mentioning . I am still trying to find that work-life balance . No matter how busy I get , I try to stay connected to my family because family means so much to me and , more importantly , they keep me grounded .
My Grandma , Sista Meeta ' s , ( RIP Grandma ) favorite proverb was " Puss and dog don ' t have the same luck , so be you and don ' t follow people ." I believe this caution is so relevant today in a world driven by social media . It seems as though most people run with the crowd . I had to attend church every Sunday , and this habit reinforced my spirituality and faith when I moved to New York . I could go on and on but , growing up in Jamaica truly grounded me .
4What motivates you ?
A lot of things motivate me . I like when people who I do not know , email me to say I inspire them . On the days when I feel defeated , I remember that I am in this world not only to motivate myself but to be a source of motivation to others as well .
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