Fashion Gxd Magazine Presents "Laurinda Andujar" CEO Of "She Blinked , LLC" Entrepreneur Cover Reveal
Written By: Samantha Cee
Florida native, Laurinda Andujar is an established author and entrepreneur. As well, she is the founder of SheBlinked LLC and Heal the City Inc. Laurinda is the middle child of four, and being that middle child is what gave her a competitive edge and the desire to stand out. Laurinda lives by the quotation "when you are in the middle you are neither first nor last, you're just there". Being just there was not something that Laurinda wanted to get used to.Determined and standing in her own power she acquired international recognition for her established brands. She has been worldly recognized by vast platforms such as Fox44 , NBC 33, KEBN "Devodish" radio show, 94.1 "The Max" in Baton Rouge, Fashion Gxd Magazine, Swagher Magazine, Medium, Barnes & Noble, Amazon and more .
Laurinda is the mother of three boys and one angel. She has a passion for music and poetry and has written well over three-hundred poems and songs. Inspired by the greats she is heavily influenced by Maya Angelou and Bo Didley, in which she met during her duration in high school . She even was presented the opportunity to record with Bo Didley but ultimately declined. Nonetheless, poetry and music provided the means of escape that Laurinda so desperately longed for. She has coined herself a survivor as she has battled with depression, low self worth ,a myriad of other issues, and attempted suicide. These challenges drove her desire to want to see others healthy and whole.
Laurinda believes it is her social responsibility to give back. She has been afforded multiple opportunities to do so. Whether it was speaking to a group of college students at Barry College, serving as a panelist for the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, moderating a discussion for the National Diversity Council or going on mission trips to South America, Laurinda has always loved to do her part to leave the world better than she found it. Laurinda launched the Heal the City campaign to do just that. The organization tackles tough topics such as domestic violence, rape, molestation, Childhood trauma, grief, addiction and more, in an effort to "Heal the world, one city at a time". Laurinda is a certified Grief Recovery Specialist as well as a Corporate Trainer by trade. She is a Certified John Maxwell Team Speaker/ Coach, a former Toastmaster and is Achieve Global Certified. Laurinda has attended the Powerful Presentation Skills course at the NSU Executive Education Center and earned her White Belt in the Lean Six Sigma Certification. Laurinda has mentored thousands of people inside and outside of her organization. She has over 27 years in leadership roles. She has earned various certifications as a lifelong learner and is working towards a BA in Business with an emphasis on Transformation and Leadership.Take a look t our exclusive interview with Laurinda with or mid month Digital cover release below.
FGM: Its an honor to sit down with you all . Tell us a little about your brand and how you've come to this vastly successful peek in your career .
Answer: Thank you so very much! I adore the Fashion Gxd Family and everything that your amazing team has done to support the brand. Our brand is simple. We are a transformational leadership company that focuses on growth at all levels. We cater to both large and small organizations. It doesn’t matter if you have one customer or a million, your satisfaction is our goal . We help organizations and individuals rethink leadership. There are so many companies that speculate on what true leadership is. I’ve lived, ate and breathed leadership. I’ve learned from both the best and the worst and have developed tried and true methodologies that work. Leadership is a great deal of things, one thing it isn’t, is loud. Leadership is the quiet hum of a well oiled engine with all parts moving in precision timing. We’ve become successful, simply by availing yourself to people. People want true, authentic, and practical leadership, and we deliver. It doesn’t matter if the person is seeking to transform personally or professionally, we can help. I often say people lead how the live. If we can show them the payoffs in living well, they can then apply those same principles to their professional lives.
FGM: Who are the clients/what are the projects that you most enjoy working on?
Answer: I have written content and conducted training for Walmart, Total Marketing Concepts, and Kipany’s SonoBello program. I absolutely adore transforming the minds of employees and providing insight to how they can exceed their customers expectations. I also have provided one on one development training for individual contributors as well. I’ve been blessed to work with a host of not for profits orgs in different capacities.
FGM: How do you feel you make a difference in the world?
Answer: Great question. I want to preface this by saying that we all can make a difference in the world. There are a couple of ways that I believe I make a difference. I have the ability to connect with people. When you are able to connect and are willing to take the time to understand what makes people tick, you can assist them with achieving their personal and professional goals. I really have a soft heart for the at risk youth and the disadvantaged. I love getting my hands dirty and meeting people at their place of need. Somewhere we’ve lost sight on what is truly important. People are important, and when people feel empowered, they can achieve anything. Empowerment alone, isn’t enough though, they need resources. They need to see people who’ve been there, done that, wrote the book on it and are willing to share the secrets. I’m not afraid to collaborate with others to make another persons dream a reality. I have been blessed to have a seat at different tables with CEO’s as well as the blue collar workers and it is my goal to bridge the gaps and make the connection to the two. I offer grief recovery training for those transitioning through any type of loss. I am a certified John Maxwell Team Speaker and Coach and I love to teach people how to fish. The answer can’t and won’t always be handed to you on a platter, I teach people how to think for themselves and how to successfully fail forward. I make the world a better place by helping people discover their talents and to use what’s in their hands to create wealth. Talent will only get you so far in life, however, compassion will can change the world.
FGM: Tell us about a time when you showed determination to continue as an entrepreneur
Answer: Being an entrepreneur and having an entrepreneurial spirit takes guts, pure and simple. You really have to be determined daily to break through the fog of discouragement and negativity. Being an entrepreneur means that you sometimes skip the party to plan the party. You always have to be on. Resources are limited, and at the same time responsibilities are piling up daily. There are days when I’m exhausted, but the drive won’t allow me to sleep. All of my life, I have been told to get a good grades so I can get the degree to get the good job, which would create job security. Unfortunately today, there is no such thing as job security unless you create that security for yourself. Last March of 2018, I decided to take a chance on me. I cashed out my 401k and walked away from my career of twenty seven years (mind you I am 46) and I was terrified. There was no plan b for me. I had to ignore the negative self talk. I lost friends and family and I found myself. It was tough! There were times when I thought I was going to lose it, but I never lost hope. Creativity kicked in and I was on my way to becoming a published author, I started a tee shirt line, a jewelry line, started selling Mary Kay, I started learning about real estate, took the odd jobs and did anything I could to not only secure, but to grow and sustain the bag. My mindset shifted from building a legacy for someone else to creating multiple streams of income for myself and family. It’s tempting to get a 9 to 5 and put your dreams on the back burner and definitely safe, but in the long run this type of move get you right back where you started stuck! Becoming an entrepreneur is tough, but it also saved my life and taught me how valuable I truly am.
FGM: Give me the three best qualities of your brand
Answer: My brand is trustworthy. My brand is applicable and practical.
FGM: Give me an example of when you worked irregular hours?
Answer: As an entrepreneur is there anything other than irregular hours? If there are I didn’t get the memo. There have been times that I wanted to sleep, but the ideas kept me up. I used to work in the corporate world and would easily work 65 hours plus. Being in the people business as an entrepreneur requires one to be open and ready 24/7. If someone is fortunate enough to have a group of like-minded people around them to alleviate some of the pressure they have struck gold.
FGM: Being a entrepreneur is a 24/7 job, how did you get ready for that?
Answer:
FGM: How did you acquire the ability to work under pressure to beat meet deadlines as a entrepreneur ?
Answer: Planning, planning and more planning. Trial and error took up quite a bit of space in that equation as well. I worked in the corporate world, in my previous life and worked a s a project manager. This definitely aided my development in this area as well . I have to admit that being a single parent didn’t hurt either. Nothing prepares you for entrepreneurship like parenting does.
FGM: What is your favorite inspirational point, place, to develop new brand developments?
Answer: Definitely the beach for me. I don’t believe in astrology, however the calm and creativity that happens as a result of being around water does wonders for me. There is nothing like having your toes in the sand listening to the rhythmic beats of the waves. In a sense Pisces is the perfect sign for me. Whether it’s a relaxing shower or a rainstorm, i find myself most creative near a water source. Maybe it’s the idea of replenishment or water being the element to incite life or growth. Who knows. It most certainly works for me.
FGM: Which current public figure, are you inspired by or appreciate the most?
Answer: This for me is a no brainier. Taraji P Henson. I appreciate everything about her and her crusade to uncover the stigmas associated with mental health. This is opening so many needed doors to discuss mental health in not only African American communities, but all communities. There is so much trauma that is affecting us, her work is demonstrating that it is okay to let someone know you are not okay. This hits home on so many levels for me.
How do you handle stress ?
Answer: Prayer, meditation, music and occasionally a glass of stella rosa black.
FGM: What are the three qualities you feel an entrepreneur must have ?
Answer: They must be trustworthy, resourceful, and an effective communicator.
FGM: Where do you see your business in 10 years ?How do you plan to get there ?
Answer: I see myself as a household name in the transformation leadership arena. I see us positively impacting and developing CEOs. I see us empowering at risk individuals to address, correct and eliminate unproductive habits and behaviors that have been hindering their growth. We plan to get their strategically by walking out or brand purposely. We will train ambassadors globally who want to impact through transformation leadership, one life at a time. We don’t want to create and army of followers. We want to incite action in leaders through education, and compassion
FGM: It was a pleasure speaking with you thank you for joining us
Answer: The pleasure was truly mine. Thank you for having me.
