Meet Lakeshia L. Bell, the founder of Elements Of Life Coaching, LLC, her business is based in the city where she was raised, Chicago, Illinois (South Side of Chicago).
Elements Of Life Coaching was established in Fall 2020, as a Life & Parent Coaching business that offers one on one and group coaching sessions for Individuals & Parents seeking resources, a guide, or direct support with establishing & improving their skills in the specified areas.
Although she has over 10 years of experience working in the field of Social Work engaging with Men, Women, and children of multiple ages; her target audience for Coaching is Men & Women ages 25-35. These are the years that have been identified as having the most pressure upon ones to succeed in life, business, and other important aspects of life; it also represents the “freedom ages”.
Since the day of its big reveal, Elements Of Life Coaching has provided individuals & families with resources, positive tools for engagement, tips for positive communication, as well as the confidence needed to grow, achieve, & master their personal and or family-oriented goals.
If there is ever a time you are in doubt or feeling unsure, know that there are options & that Elements Of Lofe Coaching is one call away! The mission is to bring awareness & comfortability to internal self-care & end self-sabotaging behaviors.
For more ways to stay connected visit EOL here.
Here we sit down with Lakeshia, to know a bit more about her journey as a life coach.
Q. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
Lakeshia: Elements Of Life Coaching was created from the heart, as mentioned previously I have a true desire for helping others reach their fullest potential in life. I have a background in Social Work where I have worked to assist families with their personal and parental goals and circumstances related to DCFS cases. Doing this work for my current employer is what led me to branch away and create a business similar for myself, but instead of focusing just on DCFS families I want to reach the core of these families way before DCFS becomes an option for family involvement.
Prior to doing this work, I had no clue what a Life or Parent Coach was, or how effective coaching could be for someone or a family who is truly in need of support and understanding.
I have a true passion for the work that I do and my goal is to provide services without limits. I want to be able to provide services without the restrictions of a company telling me how to make decisions when they have no clue of what the family truly needs.
I am inspired by having the opportunity to create a foundation for my children, leaving behind something they can call theirs! I watch as people work hard for companies, and at the drop of a dime, the same companies will replace you and say “it’s just business”. I am determined to make a change with Elements Of Life Coaching, as an entrepreneur I am allowed the space and opportunity to make decisions that I feel are in the best interest of the people I serve.
Q. How did you get started?
Lakeshia: Keeping a sweet story simple, I took advantage of the downtime during the 2019 COVID pandemic and I put my brain to work. I decided to enroll in a business academy course where I would learn the ins and outs of creating a business, from this program I was provided the tools and confidence I needed to get started. Prior to establishing EOLC, I had no idea of how to run a service business, and I wasn’t going to let that stop me from creating this platform and following my heart.
I began to research, network, and create opportunities for myself that would allow me a platform to gain more knowledge on how to run a Coaching business, as well as gain insight from other professional veteran Coaches. While doing my work I realized that I was in a box alone, there was no one in my immediate circle doing the work that I do, so I had to work day and night, stepping out in faith to invest and make connections not knowing where it would lead the business.
It took for me to believe in myself, my experiences, and to reflect on the results of my past work and know that I had the power to make my business exactly how I wanted it to be..authentic and resourceful to the community! I consider myself to be very goal-oriented and I am a true Leo at heart, when I have my heart set on something I am determined to make it happen; Elements Of Life Coaching is destined to be one of the very best to serve individuals and parents in the realm of Life & Parent Coaching.
Q. What was your biggest startup challenge? What steps did you take to overcome it? What did you learn?
Lakeshia: I must admit, creating a business takes tough skin, plenty of time, and a positive mindset in order to have great results. My biggest challenge was learning how to follow my first mind, heart and believe in my goals. If you are not confident in your work it is easy to get misled or redirected away from your true purpose.
I am often a perfectionist, so I struggled a bit when it came to accepting the fact that people would be skeptical about trying a fresh new face on the coaching scene. I struggled internally because I couldn’t understand how to find clients, assuming that people would just be ready to book my services and receive the loads of information and resources that I had to share.
It took for me to “trust the process”. I had to believe that the work I was putting into the universe would soon start to pay off. I had to let go of caring what others thought, and most importantly I had to be ready to invest into myself and my business without looking for an actual cash return. I have learned that I had to get out of the 9-5 mind frame, stop warming my heart on my sleeve, and get out and show how much potential and growth one would find within themselves after connecting with Elements Of Life Coaching.
My two boys are the true force that drives me, when I think about how much they look up to me, and how much I love them it inspired me to do everything in my power to break the generational curses of my family and offer them more than a few options in life.
Overall I learned to stay committed to myself and my passions, there is no better feeling than believing in yourself and knowing that you can do all things; but whatever you do, don’t give up!
Q. What is the Most Memorable Thing You’ve Done Since you Started your Business?
Lakeshia: Wow, I could go on and on about my most memorable moment, but if I had to choose I would have to say Elements Of Life Coaching held its first annual Blanket & Sock Drive for a local Family Homeless shelter and for the homeless living on the streets.
This moment for me is most memorable because it was a drive that came from the heart. I had no clue how many donations I would receive or if people would even trust me enough to make purchases with the funds donated. Overall Elements Of Life Coaching was able to donate over 4o blankets and over 100 pairs of socks for these families. Knowing that these families truly would benefit from these items is what drove my passion. Chicago can get very cold, I know firsthand what it is like to be cold out in this weather, but I cannot speak to the feeling of being out in the cold weather, not having an option to lay my head or stay warm. The drive turned out to be a success, but the true success and feeling came from seeing the smiles on the faces of the families served!
Q. What is one book you recommend, and why?
Lakeshia: My recommendation for a book would definitely have to be “You are a BADASS” by Jen Sincero!
Reasons why, this book is tough, it offers a great boost on why you should hold off on self-doubting, and just let life flow.
I do believe that we must learn to just live and not overthink about the things that we cannot change.
Q. What are your top 3 favourite online apps, tools, or resources and what do you love about them?
Lakeshia: I try not to spend too much time on apps that don’t promote ways for me to stay connected to my business.
Q. In terms of legacy, what is the mark you’d like to leave on the world?
Lakeshia: In my legacy, I would want to leave the message of being original, know that it is okay to be different as long you’re the #1 person believing in your difference.
Q. In one sentence, what’s the best advice you’d give to someone just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey?
Lakeshia: Follow your initial thought, don’t miss your moment by second-guessing what your mind & heart has already provided to you!
To keep up to date with Lakeshia, connect with her on Instagram.