By Michron Robinson
Almost like she is always soaring with the wind beneath her wings and inspiring with pure zen positivity, creative entrepreneur Latoya Beckles is in a zone of her own as the proud owner of LaBecks Kreations.
The business specialises in rustic and natural handcrafted glass decor, and was started many years ago and even though it did not have a name, she admits that creating, designing and decorating were always her passions. On this venture, she has married her first love with that of protecting the environment.
“We are all about sustainable living and protecting the environment where we do it one bottle at a time,” she shared about her home-based company, which recycles glass bottles to create interior decor.
The business was built on a foundation which has been based on empowerment, integrity and wild inspiration.
Speaking with Barbados TODAY she noted: “Creating has always helped me to navigate life’s challenges, so wherever I found a piece of rock, bottle, cloth – you name it, I would just create.”
While on a self-love journey to find her purpose in 2021, this fashionista was advised that she should no longer run from her true passion which was to simply create and inspire others through her work, something at which she excels.
“My re-engineering coach asked me – ‘what do you love doing, what do you do effortlessly that you don’t have second thoughts about?’” Beckles, 38, said her mind went directly to creating or decorating.
At that time, during the height of the pandemic, the creative director and artist said that she decided to take the jump without looking back.
“The coaching came at a great time because I was going through some health challenges, and along with changing my diet, etc, I recognized that I needed to get a better understanding of what I was dealing with. I had to reach out and ask someone who had overcome life’s obstacles, who walked the walk and talked the talk, been there and done that, for advice,” she said.
Since then, in addition to putting in the work on self-improvement and her overall personal development, Latoya said that her life took a turn for the ‘good’.
As a lover of nature, particularly the ocean, this entrepreneur with a zeal for life, said that she often
draws positivity from the beachscape.
While pointing to one of her bottle-designs entitled “Zen Positivity” she recalled how she “goes with the flow” after leaving the beach and lets it all loose in terms of design.
As for her vision as a woman on a mission, she says:
“My vision is to continue to empower, inspire, impact, and motivate young women across the globe, not only Barbados. To understand that you can rise from anything. It doesn’t matter where you came from, do not let that define you.
“I find that often we let our past and where we came from define us and let it stop us from rising – never let it stop you, invest in yourself and watch your life transform,’’ Latoya advised. This, from a woman who admitted coming from a place of general difficulties financially.
One of her biggest challenges is still finances as a self-funded black-owned business, but she said she prioritizes and juggles as best as she can. After all, she has a demand to meet.
“My product is for everyone but mostly those with an eye for unique craft and a love for sustainable living,” she explained.
LaBecks Kreations celebrated its 2nd anniversary on May 29 and the business owner is determined to take the business to the next level. (MR) ]]>
