Ironically I never technically came out. As if some things aren’t obvious like me being 30 years old and not having brought a guy around my family since high school. Or never mind the various girls they’ve met over the years. Just like with any other family there’s always those known unspoken things. I am currently in the process of writing my first book which has been the ultimate procrastination project because there’s so many things that will be laid on the table that have yet to be discussed. I started my business because I wanted a place for women like me to be able to shine, share their talents, and gifts while also having the opportunities to be understood by their peers and families.

I have a vision but I never really had a plan. The plan was simply to just put in the work, whatever the work may consist of at the time. Confidently and faithfully resting knowing that any opportunity that was meant for me would present itself. I’ve met so many people and and I have grown in so many ways since I first obtained my business license in 2012 and first launching my site in 2014. The LAME Way isn’t the anti-cool it’s pro-individuality. Cool tends to revolve around things deemed acceptable by a substantial amount of people. LAME is the willingness and the ability to stand out by simply being yourself and staying true to that. Finding others that effortlessly do the same and banding together for a greater good knowing that all of our strengths don’t mute that of another but more so compensate for what is lacking in the bigger picture. I believe adhering to this model will inevitably strengthen and grow our community.

Nothing gives me greater joy than building with like minds and seeing our dreams come true. There’s beauty and misunderstanding in the virtual world and I just want to be exude that which is beautiful and hopefully help a few things make sense to a few people. I’m a believer of infinite possibilities and serendipitous moments. Some say I’m a dreamer but my experiences now classify me as a doer. I am living my dreams and encouraging others to do the same. Everyday I’m still learning and I hope that I never lose the passion to do so. I want to create; make art (love included in that), support art, receive art, buy art, travel and share my experiences.

My generic advice for just about anyone is, be strong enough to withstand anything thrown at what you consider to be honorable and truthful pertaining to your character. Find something you live for and not so much the things you think you can’t live without. Nurture those things that make you feel alive be it your passion or your loved ones. Life won’t be perfect but you’ll always be able to see the good in the bad when you surround yourself by people who genuinely love and care for you. People sometimes think my positive mentality isn’t genuine because everyone has bad days. I’ve had bad days, months, and years where I did nothing but complain and question the Universe with the ever so common, “Why me?” Not only did my life get substantially worse but I was forced to hit a real bottom as opposed to the seemingly bad things I had gone been going through at the time. So why not give thanks and speak life into others. My positive mentality is a choice, if I can’t control what comes my way then why not have reign over some part of my life, the ways in which I react and what I choose to do with what life throws my way.

I am thankful for the courage to live my truth, I am humbled by the many ways that God and the Universe have met where I stood and carried me places I’ve never dreamed of going. I proclaim fearlessness over my life and the expansion of my territories to carry my message to untouched corners of the Earth. I desire to build with like minds and shape an industry that is ever present but needs a voice and unwavering support. Not only am I ELLA but ELLA is The LAME Way.