Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonia Emore.
Hi Sonia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi there! My name is Sonia Emore, founder of A Time to Create, LLC. I’m a singer/songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. I come from a huge Liberian and Nigerian family of 8 siblings, 25 nieces and nephews and other members that are too many to count. I moved to Atlanta, GA at the age of 18 to pursue my dream of singing and songwriting. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing artists.
Music has been a passion of mine for years, and I’ve always had a heart to help children. Over the last 15 years I’ve volunteered to help children express themselves creatively at churches, community centers, and schools. 2017 is when I officially started A time to Create, LLC by blending my love for music and helping children express themselves through the art of songwriting.
I realized that the arts have a powerful effect on the world we live in. It can be used for good or bad. I chose to use art as a way to create life-changing events. I love to uplift and inspire others to be their best. I believe there’s so much beauty in the world, all it takes is a courageous soul to release it, and that’s what I intend to do.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has definitely been full of bumps. Some of the struggles I had along the way were lack of finances, wisdom and confidence. I came across a lot of financial obstacles when I first started my business. It was hard to pay business fees and personal bills on a $10 an hour salary. But God always provided, I would receive random donations and my classes would sell out. Those funds helped me to take care of the financial responsibilities.
I also didn’t have the “wisdom or knowledge” needed to start a business, at least that’s what I thought during that time. I went to a community college and received an associate degree in Business Management and Marketing. But I didn’t remember anything I learned from school. I literally googled how to start a business and followed the steps. I wasn’t sure if it would work out or not. I lacked confidence, I didn’t believe I was capable of starting or running a successful business. I struggled with so many insecurities from not having higher degrees and lots of money to make it work.
I’ve made many mistakes along the way which caused me to feel insecure and unworthy of being a business owner. I’d go days and even weeks without working on my business because I was afraid of messing up and I didn’t believe in myself.
Over time things got better. Those struggles helped me to see life in a different way. The struggles weren’t meant to harm me, it was meant to help me in the long run, to make me stronger. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future.” This scripture is one of the things that helped me through the struggles.
As you know, we’re big fans of A Time to Create, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
A Time to Create, LLC is a company that specializes in guiding and teaching students in grades K-8 how to acknowledge, identify and express themselves through the beautiful art of songwriting.
A Time to Create inspires the youth to view their emotions in a positive way. It also encourages them to freely express themselves, while providing them with a safe place to do so. I’m so proud of the accomplishments made over the years. The Afterschool Songwriting Enrichment classes have helped over 1,000 kids express their feelings and emotions, creatively. The Songwriting App for Kids has been designed to help children nationwide understand and express themselves, while providing childcare providers with a tool to better assist a child’s emotional needs.
A Time to Create’s mission is to provide children with a safe, fun and creative space to experience emotional freedom by expressing themselves through songwriting.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the city/nature mix and how diverse it is. There’s always so much to do, you’ll never be bored. I like all the shops, restaurant varieties, the arts and the different parks. I’m a city girl that loves nature, so going on walks in the parks or simply listening to music while sitting on a picnic blanket gives me peace of mind. I also like the diversity in the city. There are so many people from so many beautiful countries and all of their cultures add a unique charm and beauty to the city. The only thing I don’t like about the city is BUGS!
Contact Info:
- Email: connect@atimetocreate.com
- Website: www.atimetocreate.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/at2cme/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AT2Cme/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-4hqYpb5FYnUN3E_XWsEqQ
Image Credits
Main photo was taken by Monica Hardy
