By: Latorie Lloyd Walker
Imagine driving down a busy interstate in Florida. It’s the middle of the day, so the sun is shining bright and since it’s the month of July, there are many cars on the highway with various state tags. As your driving, tears are streaming down your face. It’s a beautiful day, but you can hardly see ahead of you because your eyes are so filled. You look in your rear-view mirror and you see your two-year-old sleeping peacefully in his own world. You look to the other side and see your eight-year-old looking out of the window with a look of concern. It is obvious that he is aware that there is trouble in paradise. Then you think about the little one that is brewing inside of you and your heart aches even more because they must endure the emotional pain along with you. Then you try to refocus on what’s ahead and keeping pressing forward, knowing that your life, and the lives of your children, is about to change forever.
Exactly ten years ago, I made a choice to leave my emotional and verbal abusive husband with two small children and one on the way. Although we weren’t married long, as a teenager, I witnessed my mom sustain and bravely walk away from an abusive relationship. So, I was aware of the signs and was able to detect it immediately. I knew that that was not how I wanted to live the next ten, twenty, or even thirty years of my life. That night, we stayed in a hotel approximately 100 miles away from where we left and the next morning I drove to a friend’s house in another state. Shame and embarrassment would not let me go back home to South Carolina with my family. A few days later, my beautiful family found out, picked us up immediately and drove us home. Needless to say, a few weeks later, my unborn child gained her wings. In those moments, life taught me the true value of family.
I knew I had to change; I couldn’t allow that traumatic experience to go in vain. I couldn’t just go home and wallow in my pool of pity. Most importantly, I couldn’t continue to look in the faces of those who felt pity for me. I reached out to a previous employer, was offered an entry level position (had to start all over) and relocated to Columbia, South Carolina. Close enough to my family in Charleston; yet far enough to start a new life with my children. The first few months, we were homeless (not lit literally). We slept on my cousin’s floor in a one-bedroom apartment. I eventually found a director’s position with another company and was financially able to obtain a place for my children. I also completed my bachelor and master’s degrees during this time, while raising my two children. In this season, I searched for a professional group that would help me grow and develop as a person because I desired so much more. When I attended the first American Business Women’s Association Midlands Chapter meeting, the women welcomed me with open, and warm, arms. At the time, I was the youngest member; however, they immediately put me to work. Every skill that I learned while serving on the board and committees, I still apply in my professional life today.
Approximately four years later, I decided that it was time to step out on faith. I had approximately $36.00 in my bank, but I had this feeling inside of me that was pushing for change and yearning for growth. It was time to pursue my dreams. From all that I have been through, I realize that the worst thing that could happen is that I would just have to go back to work. October 1, 2012, I signed the lease on my first building. I didn’t have any capital. Of course, the banks never give you money when you really need it. I continued to work and allocated the contributions from my job to fund my dream. I also shared with my ABWA Midlands Chapter sisters my goals. Collectively, they all came together to help pave the way for me. From the speakers we selected, personal advice, and professional guidance; they made sure I had all the tools that I needed to be successful. On July 2, 2013, I was blessed to have the opportunity to open the door to my first preschool, Aspire Early Learning Academy, LLC. I had one student with a heart full of joy and fear. The first six months was a huge struggle, but I stayed the course and remained faithful. Three years later after running a successful business and getting married, I stepped out on faith again and acquired another building on June 1, 2016. By August 15, 2016, after two months of hard work from my support system, I opened the doors to my second Preschool Academy. The third location is like that baby that pops up at your six weeks check-up… oops! A few months after opening my second location, a church reached out to me about opening a preschool in their small community. Fearfully, I took on the challenge and acquired that building in April of 2017. The doors for my third location opened August 1, 2017. It is only by the grace of God that I was able to open three locations within a five year time period and no loans.
During the process of preparing for my third location, I began to experience challenges with my oldest son. He was in a space where he showed interest in gang activities and ran away from home for a week. I had to make another life-changing and very difficult decision to relocate so that I could save my son’s life. The decision caused me to lose my second marriage and created a huge distance between me and my businesses. I hid behind my smile, but in that season, I was tearing up from depression, self-doubt, financial struggling… you name it, I was going through it. I was standing in the eye of my hurricane of life; unaware of how I have gotten to that point when I thought everything was going great and finally lining up for me.
Today, 10 years later, as the 2019 American Business Woman of ABWA, I would not change any decision I’ve made over the last decade for the world. Those experience taught me endurance, balance, strength, consistency, perseverance, and has built me into becoming the woman I am today. My ABWA sisterhood also contributed greatly to who I am. During my 7-8 years in ABWA, I have built relationships with people who I would have never met just networking in my limited environments. I stepped out on faith and was an approved candidate for a National Board position twice; although I didn’t advance, I was never upset because I walked away with so many jewels and experiences that will live with me forever. I encourage everyone to expand your network by stepping out of the comfort zones within your community, city, and state. The bonds that you will build with your ABWA network will contribute greatly towards your personal and professional lives. The ABWA theme that has spoken to me the most over the years is: BE BOLD, BE BRAVE, BE YOU! That theme gave me so much life and taught me that it takes being bold and brave to simply be accepting of the fact that you are amazing just being you! Live out loud enjoy just how lovely your life really is! I celebrate 10 years of becoming the woman I am today.