Today we’d like to introduce you to Elaya Walker.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Elaya. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Well, I’ve always has an appreciation for the creative and talented. I guess it all really started when I took action towards my dreams. I’ve always known that I wanted to have my own business but I just didn’t know what it was going to be. I was a business nerd, growing up on shows like Mad Money, Shark Tank, The Profit, and Billion Dollar Buyer. At a very young age I realized that being well-rounded in different aspects of business is the way to achieve success. I had started modeling in high school then in college I majored in Business Management. At first, I was just trying to find a way to merge my passion of modeling with my passion of changing the world with my career goals as a business woman. But it wasn’t until I started exploring within that I realized how I could do all of that and some.
I started a YouTube channel called 2BeautifulLae to inspire others to see that they are Beautiful (internally) and help them remain positive and motivated to pursue not only their goals but their dreams and aspirations in life. I wanted all my followers to feel good about themselves after watching one of my videos. I struggled with depression and anxiety growing up and making 2BeautifulLae was the turning point for me to control my thoughts and my view on life. I was trying to become a better, happier person and my channel was my way of expressing that. It inspired me and kept my mind on the right track. I used my videos to help me grow as a person and gain confidence in what I’m saying because I know it’s true. Making videos showed me that I have the possibility to truly inspire others and that made me happy.
2BeautiulLae slowly developed into a campaign to globally inspire and motivate individuals called YouAre2Beautiful (YA2B), which was my first business. I had fought through my insecurities and I wanted to help others do the same. YA2B was a subscription box and video service aimed motivating women to gain a sense of self-confidence and challenge them to take a good look at themselves to see how Beautiful they really are.
“The most Beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss and have fought their way out of the depths. These persons have an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” – Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
As with many first attempts at business, YA2B didn’t launch as projected but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from finding ways to help people. In college, a group of close friends and I started an organization called Eccentrix which was dedicated to creative freedom of expression and interpretation. We held open mics, visual and theatrical showcases, and made a platform for our creative family among students, faculty, and staff to be heard. After graduation, continued to find ways to push everyone’s arts. I started networking for them, finding new opportunities for them to grow and make a business out of their passions. Since my background was in business and I had a knack for innovative business strategies, I also became their consultant but I wanted to do more. I was a born connector and I enjoyed when I was able to connect someone I knew to someone else and they were able to grow both over their respective crafts (creative or traditional).
CreativeFreedomCo was birthed through realizing that by owning and developing your passion, staying true to your truth and journey, and connecting with the right people you can create a life of happiness and success. CFC is the hub to guiding you to livin’ life to the fullest + make moves to live your life more creatively through simple mental shifts + strategic planning. We are all Creators and we have the power to control our realities. Why wouldn’t you follow an opportunity to free yourself and live a life of your own design? It’s been a long journey but I’m happy and doing what I love.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I can definitely say that I’ve learned a lot of lessons. The journey isn’t smooth at all but it would be less fun if it was. I could have better prepared myself for each pivot in the journey. If you’ve ever worked with me you know that I like to make sure everyone has all the tools for success but it seemed I forgot to consistently re-evaluate my own processes. A business has to evolve and we have to challenge ourselves to become better individuals for our business, whether it’s improving our discipline, balance, and strategies. As with anything in life, our plans and the way we see our ‘destiny’ panning out is hardly ever the way it actually executes itself in reality. I should have given myself more time to re-establish myself as I was transitioning from YA2B to CreativeFreedomCo.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
CFC is the hub to guiding you to livin’ life to the fullest + making moves to live your life more creatively through simple mental shifts + strategic planning.
We provide:
~ Consulting Services – Strategy, Planning, and Problem Solving sessions to help you develop business skills + knowledge. (These topics range from designing your creative business model or marketing plan, to determining which marketing techniques to use and how to use them to pursue financial growth opportunities.
~ Membership – an online community joining like-minded entrepreneurs across the world. As a member, you receive access to exclusive training, business resources, private member forums, and more.
~ Business Writing – From Resumes and Cover Letters to Proposals, Pricing Sheets, Presentations and more.
We’re most known for our extreme level of support. We appreciate all our member and we love to show it. And we’re most proud of our Positive Business Culture. I feel as though the society thrives on drama, which is not bad in itself. The issue arises that it thrives on Negative drama. I want to change that. I envision a world that has recycled its negative trash as positive energy. I don’t just see it, I know it’s possible. CFC is taking the action to develop that. Instead of advancing by putting others down, taking from the less fortunate, and consequently choking our community/society/nation/culture, CFC succeeds by aiding brilliant minds, sharing ideas, and expanding the possibilities of our future.
We are currently partnering with over 35 businesses and our network is steady growing. Let’s not limit our mindsets, rather let’s help one another and give breath to all ideas. Let’s put all the true cards on the table, create a healthy challenge/competition, give each other a fair run for any opportunity, and Earn the title knowing that no rock was left unturned on the way.
What were you like growing up?
I was and am still a kind of living contradiction. In my moments of Freedom, I am completely spontaneous while in my career and general lifestyle, I am calculated. I’m shy; however, I become talkative once I feel comfortable. I would say I was an adaptable versatile floater. I’m passionately curious.
Starting at a young age, I’ve always had an interest in Business, Fashion, Vampires, and 80s/90s culture. In middle school, while I was living in Hawaii, I fell in love with Culture, Tradition, Art, the Beach, and Poetry. My time there seeded what would grow being into my passions today.
Pricing:
- Membership starting as $12/month
- Individual Consulting starting at $150/hr
- Various Business Resources starting at $20
- CFC Inspirational Gear starting at $20
Contact Info:
- Address: (404) 692-1795
- Website: CreativeFreedomCo.com
- Email: info@creativefreedomco.com
- Instagram: @CreativeFreedomCo
- Facebook: facebook.com/creativefreedomco
Image Credit:
Kara Elyse
Stephanie Fitzpatrick
Martez Williams
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
