14 minute read
Tia Gray
Make A Definite Effect LLC
By Terry L. Watson - Photos by Tia Gray
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Are you made for this? That is a question that LaTia “Tia” Gray will help you answer. As the owner and founder of Make A Definite Effect LLC, her goal is to simplify the lives of others. Tia is a native of Springfield TN. She is also a mother of two beautiful, and witty little girls. Tia is also a Sports Coach at heart, and certified life coach by trade. She is an author, radio personality and presenter, and host of “MadE in the Dugout”. Tia describes herself as a small-town girl with global aspirations to connect people who look like her and support the Afro cultural history, presently, and its future. “I am an ideologist, visionary, and community driven entrepreneur. I am also known for networking and connecting small business owners and individuals with resources to grow personally and professionally,” she says. Tia says that life and business are both a game and everyone must be trained properly on how to play. This can be done through guidance, strategies, and self-discovery. “As an author I write about how we are the coach of our own lives, and how our lives relate to sports. I assist others with understanding how to position people in their life, and understand their roles, and ultimately go all out for the win,” she says. Her company, Make A Definite Effect LLC was created in 2019. Tia had a vision to inspire others and build a product that would expound on the importance of relationship building. While building her company, she discovered there was a lack of representation of black excellence. She also realized that her community was missing valuable life changing information. “As I set out to expose as many businesses as I could I picked up tons of knowledge to share with the small business owners. I determined that change was needed, and I would be vehicle that would drive the change,” she says. “The first thing I did was connect others with various resources to enhance and expand their businesses.”
Tia shares that it’s important for everyone to pass the “plate of knowledge”. “There is power in being your true self. I take pride in being a virtual connector for those inspired to change their lives and grow their businesses,” she says. “We offer full service virtual assistance to small business owners to help save them time and stay on top of task. This also includes strategizing ways to enhance our client’s creativity in their business through graphic content, funnels, QR codes, virtual business cards, and so much more.”
Like most businesses, Tia has faced some adversity. “I think going through the quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed me time to really set with myself and get a better understanding of the steps I wanted to take. Also, working with the youth in my community and learning how much information was not accessible to them has pushed me to learn and give what I never had. The work showed me talents I had inside that I never knew was there. Through adversity I have learned more about myself and tapped into the God and become more conscious of how I show up in the world,” she says.
Tia says she is inspired by her children, parents, and black “Afro” history. “if I don’t show up in the world, I know that it can delay someone else who was divinely designed to connect with me, from showing up,” she says. Tia also offers some advice to others who may be on a journey such as hers. “Start with personal development. Do your research so that you will know if what you are doing is something you are willing to put the work in to complete. Do it scared if you have to and do not second guess yourself. Most importantly, ask for help if you need it,” she says.
Moving forward, Tia plans to integrate her coaching program with her books and radio show. She also plans to take big business steps to develop, monetize, and scale her business so that it can be more impactful for those that look to gain more exposure and enhance their business and talents. If you are interested in ways to glow up before you blow up, send Tia a message and connect with Coach Tia, the Damage Control Empress. “Damaging Control By Connecting The Dots”. h
Tasha
Hope Continues To Carry Her
By Terry L. Watson Photos by Tasha Johnson-King
For Tasha Johnson-King, giving up has no place in her life. Currently residing in Saint Stephens, S.C., the 44-year-old wife and mother of three is great need of a kidney donation and transplant. She has been on dialysis since March 23,2005 and has been waitlisted for a kidney donor at three hospitals and is currently waiting to be waitlisted at four others in the state of South Carolina.
For anyone who knows Tasha, they would say that despite of every challenge that she is facing, her outlook on life remains loving and optimistic. “I’m a very kind person and love to donate to others, especially to children,” she says.
Her journey began in 1995 after she found out that she was born with only one kidney. “The whole time I was pregnant I didn’t have any complications or negative symptoms of only having one kidney. That changed when I went for my six weeks checkup after giving birth. My protein levels were through the roof. From there I had extensive tests done. Soon the news arrived that I only had one kidney,” she says.
From that point on, life began to change for Tasha. “I was only 20 years old at that time and in 1998, I found out my kidneys were failing. I was given medicines to help slow the failing process. The medicines did work for a long time, but as years passed my medicines didn’t work as well as they once did. I was getting sicker and sicker. I was only 28 years old and wasn’t ready to start dialysis. I already knew what the treatment would be like and I was scared to start. I also knew that it would make me feel better,” she says.
As time passed, Tasha shares that couldn’t take the misery of being sick and made the decision to start. “I was so sick and tired until I just couldn’t do anything, and I knew that it was passed by time for me to begin.
On MARCH 23, 2005 Tasha’s journey began. “It was very rough for me from the beginning. I was in and out of the hospitals. I had access infections and access clotting. I also had to endure surgeries to repair or replace my accesses. I kept reminding myself that life does get better,” Tasha says. After all that she has experienced and been through, Tasha professes that she is still healthy. She doesn’t have heart damage from all the perm catheters that have been placed in her neck and chest. Even more, the rest of her organs are in good shape and working well. “This is a blessing, especially after almost 16 years of being on dialysis,” she says. Life has happened for Tasha in even more ways. While on dialysis treatment, she gave birth to a son. Understandably, the pregnancy was challenging but her baby was born healthy and breathing on his own. “God is awesome. I was my doctors first patient who got pregnant while on dialysis. Not only that, but my tubes were also cut, tied, and burned for seven years and I still got pregnant. Only God can perform these kinds of miracles,” she shares.
Today, Tasha is full of life. “I love the fact that I’m still alive and able to raise my 22-year-old daughter who is intellectually disable, and my nine-year-old son. My life inspires me the most because I’m still living and know that others have lost their battles,” she says.
She’s had to have a Thigh Graft, which is her last lifeline. Often, she is drained after dialysis sessions and unable to play with her nine-year-old son. She also suffers from low blood pressure. After that happens the only thing she can do is go straight to bed. That is not a good position to be in because after treatments, it’s required that she run so that she can flush the toxins and fluid out of her body. Not doing so can make her sicker and swell up with fluid. “All I can do is pray that I feel better,” she says.
Even though her journey has been challenging, Tasha says there isn’t much she would change. “I would have like to have more kids closer together in age. I always wanted a big family but what I have is what God wanted me to have. This journey has made me a stronger person and made my faith even stronger,” she says. Today, Tasha needs a kidney transplant. For this to happen she will have to be connected with someone who is a match for her. “Donating gives us a better chance to live longer and be healthy. No more machines to keep us alive, no more being drained and sick. Donating a kidney or any other organs would be the best gift you could ever give to someone to live. Donating is never a little gift it’s always a big gift and a huge blessing to do for anyone,” she says.
For others who are in a similar situation as she is, Tasha advises them to stay strong and to not give up. In the future, she plans to continue to help others who need guidance before, and while on dialysis. Obtaining information about dialysis from someone who has gone through the experience can help someone deal with the process a lot better. Her plans are to be off dialysis and have a new kidney soon. She also plans to and live a healthier life with her family. Additionally, she has plans to travel more, especially out of the country.
To learn more about how to assist Tasha Johnson-King with her search of finding a mathing kidney donor, please contact at: tashajohnsonking@gmail.com
from us, they felt better knowing that somebody was thinking about them. You know the enemy has tricked so many people into believing that they are suffering alone, and they are the only person going through something but that’s not true. You are not the only one whose been cheated on, been lied to, or been abused. You’re not alone because you have 300 sisters that are praying for you, fighting for you, and interceding on your behalf. Just because you don’t see us that doesn’t mean we are not undergirding you through prayer - - we are.” Tabitha had a well-deserved reputation as an almsgiver, a philanthropist, someone whose generosity made a difference in her community. We can consider Cassandra as your modern-day Dorcas. So how are these candles made and what makes them so unique? Well, it’s the way they have been “poured” with a purpose. Cassandra shares, “The foundation of my candles starts with love then I add the wax, the scent, the wick, and pour it inside of the jar. I have help with the packaging but when it comes to pouring, I do that by myself. I don’t let anyone pour except me because while I’m pouring, I’m also praying. There are days when I have the music loud and I’m in here hollering and crying and then sometimes it’s silence but it’s always me and the Lord. It’s a private thing I don’t expose that piece of my life to the world. Every other part of my life is an open book.” h
www.blackgirlcandlecompany.com info@blackgirlcandlecompany.com
I’m A Boss, Coach, and Cancer Conqueror
By Terry L. Watson Photos by Stacy Bryant
Stacy Bryant, also known as Coach Stacy, is the founder of The Icu Coaching Academy, The Stiletto Bosses Network™ and The Free Hope Foundation for Domestic Violence. She is the host of Candid Conversation with Coach Stacy on 108 Praise Radio. Her coaching specialties are focused on transformation, mindset, and manifestation. Another business she owns is Clean Tax & Credit Repair Service, where she assists her clients with becoming financially stable and efficient.
Stacy has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and is currently pursuing her MBA. Additionally, Coach Stacy is a Master Life Coach Trainer and Best-Selling Author. She is the author of Building Self-Confidence and the Her Story Series. Coach Stacy is also the co-author of best seller, “Will Win” with Brian Tracy.
Coach Stacy lives a life that is rooted in winning and overcoming. For starters, she is a “Cancer Conqueror”. It really doesn’t matter what is thrown at her, she is determined to win. “I have walked the road of an overcomer my entire life. Because of this, I am dedicated to helping others rise above their circumstances. My mission is to encourage and empower others to explore and find who they are, inside and out. By doing so, I believe they will be able to create the life they’ve always dreamed of,” she says.
Coach Stacy is a retired Veteran of the United States Army. Presently, she devotes her life to empowering others. “My goal is to assist and empower people all over the world by instilling and expressing confidence in themselves. This involves helping them with their finances, relationships, entrepreneurship, health, faith, and life,” she says.
“As a personal coach I work with a wide range of clients and offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each individual. In a supportive atmosphere, I help clients attain the professional and personal growth they’re striving for. I offer sessions, both in-person and over on the phone. The process begins with an initial assessment to clearly define my clients short and long term goals. This may involve everything from communication skills to personal acceptance. I will use these goals as a foundation to create a strategy for attaining their objectives,” she says. Some of the services offered by Coach Stacy are Personal Growth, Professional Development, Relationship Coaching, Communication Skills, Confidence & Personal Power, Inner Peace, Achieving Balance, Health & Weight Issues, and Organization & Productivity.
“Life coaching can take you above and beyond your own personal limitations. More often than not, people try to achieve their greatest potential, but don’t even realize what stands in their way. A personal Coach can offer an unbiased and objective perspective and can help you realize your patterns and habits. Most people experience that they are more efficient when working with a Professional Life Coach and that this provides the opportunity for them to better realize their potential. Life coaching can make your dreams attainable and will give you support and encouragement along the way.,” she says. The books that she’s authored, “Her Story 2” shares her testimony of overcoming domestic abuse.” My Pink Stilettos” gives a synopsis of her life to a current state. “Audacity to Shine” shares her testimony of fighting cervical cancer. “I am Enough” shares her testimony of narcissistic abuse recovery. She is currently authoring “Broken Crayons Still Color” where she shares how a life filled with brokenness has allowed her to show others that they can still color. She says, “After a life filled with shame, guilt, hurt, and traumatic experiences, I still color, brightly!”
Coach Stacy offers some advice to others who may find themselves in similar situations that she faced. “Do not stop at start. When I first started my business, I hit instant success. I was young, and not ready. I did not take the time to learn the tools that I really needed to run an effective business. But I kept moving,” she says. “I would not be where I am if it were not for the journey. The journey gave me experience. The journey gave me wisdom. Most of all, the journey gave me resilience.” Moving forward, her plans are to expand her personal development academy. By doing so, she will be able to empower, heal, and shift mindsets to souls all over the planet. “Seeing the light bulb go off in someone and watching them embrace healing is the most amazing thing I can witness,” she says. To learn more about the services offered by Coach Stacy, please visit her website. h
