Balance - What is that ? September 27, 2018 10:13 1 Comment

Balance - What is that ?

Over the summer Serena Williams posted a picture stretching atop a cliff with the sun either rising or setting in the background. You can only clearly see the silhouette of her figure. She starts the caption “Last week was not easy for me. Not only was I accepting some tough personal stuff, but I was just in a funk. Mostly, I felt like I was not a good mom.”

Serena, I know the feeling.

At the heart of Serena’s post was this idea of balance and the pressure we feel as women, especially when it comes to our roles as moms.

Balance is an ongoing struggle, there is no perfect balance, it’s always a juggling act. As a single mom to an energetic and intelligent five year old and as an entrepreneur with a growing company and as a human being I am constantly pulled in different directions. Lamara the mom, Lamara the entrepreneur, and Lamara the person are all facets of who I am. Together they make the whole Lamara, and separately they each require energy. There’s so much I want to do and do it well, it is a constant give and take.

For example, I can get Ainkas into a rhythm, sustaining goals, sales are up, doors seem to be opening, and then BOOM, I get a call from my son Kyan’s school. “Ms. Davis can you come in for a parent teacher conference?” Instantly, I begin questioning myself.

Have I been so focused on the business that I’ve neglected my son? Did I do something wrong? Am I good enough? Can I do this?

I’ll redirect my energy to make sure he’s back on track, find a renewed confidence in the life that I’ve built for us and then I’ll look in the mirror and realize, I’m drained. Lamara, the individual is a mess, I haven’t done anything to refuel myself because I’ve been tending to the needs of my son and my business. The doubts roll in like shoppers on Black Friday.

How am I suppose to manage all of this? Can I keep this up? Maybe this isn’t for me?

This struggle is constant. I do not have an amazing inspiring answer for how to solve it either. What I do trust in is that where I am short God will fill in the gaps. For all my women, moms, entrepreneurs, sisters, lovers, friends who need to hear it, you are not alone. I rest in the fact that everyday I wake up I am doing my best and everything is going to be ok. I keep working everyday because there is no perfect balance, all we can do is set out our intentions and put our best foot forward daily.

As always I hope that I have encouraged and uplifted you to know we are all in this together. You too, can do what you love, with people you love, and live out your passion. You are powerful and complete.

XO Lamara

Behind the 18k August 08, 2018 11:23

Behind the 18k

Have you ever felt the pressure of Instagram? Girl, listen I can be honest, yes and yes, that’s a yes for both my personal account and my business account. When I was first introduced to the power of the platform for business I was working with two fly business savvy women who consistently rocked the latest trends. Not only did they seem to have it together in person but their pages reflected that.

During that time I felt like people only wanted to buy products from people who were on, those who oozed glamour and were always making moves, running in influential circles.

And girl, that was NOT ME.

I hate being in front of the camera and I certainly was not rocking the latest designer and didn’t feel like my social media persona was enough to attract and retain clients.

It took me sometime but I eventually learned, people will love you for you. If they don’t, they’re just not for you and that’s ok too.

I had to be real, I was a young mompreneur. The truth was the designer bags I owned were apart of my life before my son (thankfully) the only new bag I could add was a diaper bag.

I struggled with being true to myself but, also attracting new clients in an authentic way. I was under so much pressure to keep up, to be appealing, and to stay relevant.

Lamara, the CEO of Ainkas Jewels and my products themselves were being clouded by the visions of other brands. I urgently needed to refocus.

I unfollowed every account that represented my competition. I didn’t want to be influenced by or compete with other businesses. I needed to find my own lane.

My strategy worked. I restored my love for my brand, and returned back to my why. My vision for Ainkas Jewels was once again clear. I found my rhythm and sank into my creativity. The style and the names of my products reflected me in an authentic and genuine way, chic, contemporary with a hint of fabulosity.

I realized people will love you for you so give them all of you. Give them a chance to fall head over heels in love with what makes you unique. I posted this recently from the Ainkas account -- You are a limited edition. There’s no one on this earth that has what you have to offer, so give them the truest you at all times.

As always I hope that I have encouraged and uplifted you. Do what you love, with people you love, and live out your passion. You are powerful and complete.

XO Lamara

Take a ride down memory lane :: 2013 - Now

2013