Women in Business - Lakisha Mosley

Lakisha Mosley, an event planner, learned to pivot her business amid a pandemic. Lakisha not only plans event but is a racial disruptor who holds live panels about many topics that relate to race and racism.

Hello Lakisha, thank you for doing this interview. I hope you’re doing well in the midst of all this craziness. I’d like to jump right into the questions if that’s okay. Now I read that you started your business eight years ago, how did you start your business? Did you have any other experience planning events besides planning your vow renewal? 

Hey Kaitlan. Thanks for having me. I’m excited to chat with you. After being laid off from my corporate job, I decided to start an event planning business. I had no prior experience at all but I enjoyed what I did to plan my vow renewal. I gained so many new connections that it just made sense to me to do it. I went back to the owner of the venue and formed a partnership with him that is still in place today. I attended an open house he was putting on and booked three clients that day. 

What about planning your vow renewal made you realize you were passionate about event planning?

I don’t think I was passionate about event planning at first. It was something that I could jump into right away. I got so many compliments on the ceremony and how well it was put together that I thought why not start a business doing this. It wasn’t until I booked those three clients at the open house that I knew I could actually do this and when the first client was amazed at my work I became extremely excited and passionate about it. 

Did you always want to be a business owner or did you dream of having some other career?

I never wanted to be a business owner. I always thought I would become an executive, make a lot of money and retire from that company. 

For you, what’s the best part about being a business owner?

The best part of being a business owner is the freedom I now have to make as much money as I want to and to also impact others with my business. 

What did you know about starting your own business when you decided to go ahead and do so?

I knew absolutely nothing about starting my own business. But what I did do was find every resource I could find for starting a business as well as event planning. 

Aside from the event planning, what other businesses or side hustles do you pursue? 

I have a blog, lakishamosley.com, where I highlight amazing women in business and I talk about business, relationships and my faith. 

I also have a podcast called Convo with Kisha where I interview amazing women and men in business who are movers and shakers in business and in their communities. 

What have been some of your biggest challenges you’ve faced since starting your own business and how did you overcome them?

Some of my biggest challenges have been going through a divorce and losing everything I have. I was basically homeless. But I was able to get a home and get back to business. During this time my business never suffered but I was severely depressed and suicidal. 

I’ve had to overcome imposter syndrome and recognize that I was awesome and deserved recognition for my hard work. 

I know from being in the Werk U group that you recently quit your job, what advice do you have for others who’d like to quit their job and pursue their business full-time? 

If you want to quit your job and work your business full-time, you must first decide that is what you want to do and just do it. Make a plan and execute it. Figure out how much money you need and want to make. Change your mindset and create your own routine. 

Before you quit your last job, how did you juggle being a mother, a successful business owner and working a “regular” job?

I created a routine and was unapologetic about saying “no”. I found my own balance and worked it. I couldn’t control the time I had to report to work but I could and did control the time I spent in my business. I made sure that I spent my time wisely and I practice self-care. 

Did you ever have moments when you felt like the life of an entrepreneur wasn’t for you? If so, how did you handle them? 

I did have moments of regret being an entrepreneur. When things got really bad for me, I thought maybe I had made the wrong decision and I should just give up and go back to a regular job. I had to really spend some time alone and talk to God about what I should do. He gave me the guidance I needed to keep going. 

2020 has been a rough year for a lot of people, how have you adapted as a business owner to living in such strange times? 

My coach told me when I first started with her that COVID 19 will produce 3 types of people: millionaires, billionaires and witnesses. She asked me which one I want to be. I was adamant about the millionaire or billionaire status. That lit a fire in me to go get everything I said I wanted. Werk University has been such an integral part of this success as well by using the resources given. 

If you're interested in connecting with Lakisha you can visit lakishamosley.com or visit her on the gram @lakishammosley.