🦩 Black History Month: Interview #1

If you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Naketta Lowery, CEO of Sustainable Life Solutions, we hope to do her justice through this interview.

In the short time we got to talk to her, she reminded us of the power of being grateful for the little things, even if it’s just waking up on a brand-new Monday with our mind, body, and spirit functioning.

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🚀 What made you decide to start your own business?

I never thought that life would prepare me to start my business. I used to own a childcare center, was a k-12 school teacher, and a correctional officer at a maximum-security men’s facility. Throughout my life, I’ve witnessed multiple traumatic experiences as well, which gave me a unique perspective on trauma genesis. I realized the importance of intervening early in kids’ lives so they didn’t grow up to make decisions as adults that really hurt people, including themselves.

🏆 What was the most challenging time(s) in your business and how did you overcome it?

At the beginning, I struggled with my confidence. You need to surround yourself with people who believe in you when things get tough. I have all the support of my mother and my dad in my ear reminding me “Well, Keke you never know unless you try.” He’s my biggest cheerleader.

My most recent challenge just happened last year. One of our largest clients (made 50% of our revenue) left because they were downsizing. But thank God, I just started praying and heard “This is just a hurdle. Keep pushing.” A few months after, we got a new contract and from there, they started talking about our programming and more contracts started coming in.

👭🏾 What advice would you give to a fellow black woman entrepreneur just starting out?

Find a community that you trust and be honest so they can truly help you.

💪🏾 What would you do if you weren't scared?

I would purchase an entire community of vacant houses, apartment complexes, and build a little community that involves things like trauma and resilience education, life coaching, career coaching, and all of this would be on the house. ✨ What excites you the most about the future?

Seeing everything my husband and I invested in our four children play out with them in their own families.

💃🏾 My superpower is dancing anywhere and for any occasion (even to elevator music).

🎧 📚 What book or podcast are you reading/listening to?

Right now, I’m reading a book by Tiffany Aliche called Get Good with Money. Another one that I’m listening to is by Watchman Nee and it’s called Spiritual Authority.

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About Naketta Lowery

Naketta is a woman of faith and an impassioned advocate for trauma education and resilience building. Read Naketta's full bio here.