Today we’d like to introduce you to LaTonya Sain.
Hi LaTonya, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
A mother of two gorgeous and talented daughters, I am a full-time educator who decided to step out on faith and start my own business. I must admit that starting a business was only sometimes a part of my plans. Ironically enough, this business venture has been an exploration of my passion for creativity and a discovery of hidden talents. I started making personalized gift baskets for family and friends; I started taking pictures of my baskets and sharing them. Soon, people started placing orders, and business increased significantly around the holidays. With encouragement from close friends, I began studying and practicing balloon décor by watching YouTube videos and many trial designs. I have an amazing village of family and friends who continue to be my biggest supporters. Thanks to them, I have had opportunities to create for birthdays, weddings, graduations, and many other special moments in life and create balloon décor showcased in various venues.
Personalized gift baskets were my initial product, and thanks to a very close friend, I was contacted by a local business owner of a black sports store called Shop Jersey and More. I was hired to create gift baskets for display in her store which turned into an opportunity far greater than I could have imagined. This quickly evolved from an opportunity for exposure for my business into an opportunity for growth and insight. While making extra money doing something I enjoyed, I also learned a few important things that have stuck with me along the way.
- Make sure I cover myself on the business side of things.
- Invest in myself and my dreams.
- Acknowledge the value of my talents and skills and charge for it. Lol, I never sell myself short, and
- Find what sets me apart and focus on that. Along with always putting God first, these are things that I carry with me as Cherished Moments continue to grow into all that I would like for it to be. Cherished Moments gives me an outlet for my creativity while adding unique and personal creations for my clients as they celebrate the unique people and moments in their lives. So, whether it’s a personalized gift basket, balloon décor, or handmade flower bouquet, Cherished Moments by Yours, Truly is committed to “creating moments for you to cherish a lifetime!”
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When I decided to start my business, I expected the road to be challenging. I count every challenge as a learning experience, an important part of this journey. With that being said, my biggest challenge has been myself. Since I have yet to master the art of saying no, it’s a continuous balancing act of time. My passion and love for what I do, in every aspect, make it easier and worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. What can you tell our readers who might need to be more familiar with what you do?
Because I offer many services, it isn’t easy to pinpoint one area of expertise, so I guess I would classify myself as a creator. When choosing a name for the business, I also considered this and decided that Cherished Moments by Yours Truly captures what I was setting out to do. No matter the service or product, it will become a part of memories and moments that my clients will come to cherish, and it will always be a unique creation from Yours Truly. Whether you are looking for the perfect gift to say “Happy Birthday,” “Get Well Soon,” or simply “Thinking of You,” Cherished Moments will be happy to assist!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
It is a blessing to have an opportunity to pursue my dreams, and I truly hope to inspire others along the way. I am eternally grateful to my amazing support system, who continues to support me, and to every client who has allowed me to be a part of their “cherished moments!”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cherishedmomentsllc.com
- Instagram: cherishedmomentsbyyourstruly
- Facebook: @yourstrulyinc.7
Image Credits
Kimberly Tickle, Jason Harris
