I Gave Up So She Could Rise Written by: Alondra Anderson

I Gave Up So She Could Rise By: Alondra Anderson

When you hear the title you may think, how could she give up or is she putting others before herself?

My name is Alondra Anderson and I am a young woman born and raised in New York. I’ m the oldest of 6 siblings and the leading example to most. I received my associates in Mental Health, my Bachelors in Psychology and pushing to receive my Masters in Social Work. With all of these degrees you think I would know who SHE is. It’ s so many things to call myself a Child of God, an entrepreneur, a daughter, sister, leader, protector. Whatever I name myself now I had to give up so SHE can thrive and be the person I am describing today.

Although I’ ve always been a lover I have a huge heart and tend to care for others before myself( which wasn ’t always the best thing), I was always a person full of anger, full of sadness and feeling as if I was nothing in the world, though I projected the opposite to the world. I would feel good one day and then be reminded how I wasn ’t enough the next. Weird enough this is what brought me to my job today, the happiness I feel knowing I helped someone. I’ m currently working as a counselor at a homeless shelter in the Bronx. Although I love helping people I knew there was more for me. It was a day I was sitting in a meeting and I thought why am I here. I soon found myself in a depressed state for the following two weeks. It was then I realized I had to give up. I had to give up on those negative thoughts, on the job, on the belief that this is all I am… a worker, I had to give up on the thought that I could do everything on my own .. Yes, I had to remind myself of the faith I have in God. By me giving up I was able to rise, by me depending solely on my creator I was able to push through.

I say SHE because I wasn ’t the same person I spoke of before. I had to give up on the negative things. SHE used to be angry. SHE used to have a lack of control. SHE used to hurt people because she was hurt. SHE used to think so badly of herself that SHE couldn ’t find the light in her that others saw. But I AM NO LONGER SHE. I gained that self control, I feel beautiful in and out, I care and love but won ’t allow myself to lose sight of WHO I AM in the sight of someone else ’ s satisfaction. I am love, light , happiness and of course I have my days but how I react, respond and overcome is what matters. I am drowned in faith and I am confident in who and what I am capable of. That’ s what is different between me and her( the person I once was). Being who I am today after giving up, I am now the person I always looked up to wanting to be, aside from that I now have my own business, giving up that job has allowed me to create my own legacy.

LaLianCosmetics

(www.LaLianCosmetics.com) is an all vegan cosmetics brand Made for Royalty. We offer beauty products from eyes to lips. We are known for our mask proof lipsticks, state of the art brow pomades and contributions to the Mental Health Foundation. As a psych graduate I wanted to incorporate mental health with beauty. With that we started our What’ s your story campaign. This also gave me the desire to do more, where 25% of our Eros collection is donated to the Mental Health Foundation. I want to become a speaker for all those listening. Continued next page.

It’ s hard being the first person in your family to do things, having to work to fund your business or research and handle the business from photos, to marketing, to researching on your own, but it’ s possible and with God in my life I was able to do so. It wasn ’t peaches and cream, it’ s a lot easier said but with faith it could be achieved. I’ m not sure what you may have to give up but everyone is different, each person knows what they need to “ give up ” so that the person they strive to be can thrive . So when your time comes, give up so SHE can rise. A N D B U S I N E S S B O S S E S B R A N D S

LALIAN

COSMETICS

LaLianCosmetics is an all vegan brand Made For Royalty. LaLian Cosmetics provides vegan beauty products from EYES, LIPS AND FACE. LaLian Cosmetics is a brand who supports and believes in the awareness of Mental Health, and equality for all no matter sex, race, gender, religion or beliefs. LaLian Cosmetics aims to be a leading contribution to the growth and awareness of mental health all around the world. LaLian Cosmetics found a way to intertwine Mental Health and beauty. Finding self care in beauty. Knowing, accepting and taking care of your Mental health is beautiful and just as important.

A N D B U S I N E S S B O S S E S B R A N D S

fter many years of hosting various events August of 2020 Chiquita Jones A in , t & dividually, in wo close frie Shatesha Bo nds yce , decided to join forces and become official event planners. Their likemindedness and common love for creating amazing event experiences drew them close. Art of Creation takes great pride in curating exceptional events and exceeding clients’ expectations.

Not like your average event planners, these two go above and beyond for their clients, leaving no stone unturned when it comes to personal details. As the world has eased back into normalcy, Art of Creation has grown quite a following and has caught the eyes of corporate companies such as Amazon. As a small, growing business, they’re now planning everything from small intimate gatherings to weddings and corporate conferences. There’s a lot in store for Art of Creation! Email: www.info@artofcreation.org

taging Spaces Bio

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A N D B U S I N E S S B O S S E S B R A N D S

Staging Spaces was started in 2016 by certified Home Styler, Shatesha Boyce who loves nothing more than making things beautiful. After taking a bit of a hiatus and becoming a mom, 2020 sparked a fire that put things back in motion for Staging Spaces. The business now offers services from eDesigns to fully customized home decor, locally and virtually. Shatesha enjoys having creative control and wowing her clients when they see the transformations of their spaces. Inspired by her favorite TV network, HGTV, Shatesha hopes to one day partner with larger companies and launch her very own product line.

Email: www.info@stagingspaces.net