Meet LaVonna Roth | Motivational Speaker, Consultant & Chief Confidence Illuminator

We had the good fortune of connecting with LaVonna Roth and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi LaVonna, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Ironically, I didn’t have one until I worked for a company where employees were mistreated. After months of it, I came home one day and told my husband that I was quitting and starting a company where I would treat people right! I jumped and started my own consulting company having no idea what I was doing. My 3 degrees are in education, not business. But over the past 12 years, I continue to figure it out and make it happen. In the beginning I would consult on anything educational that I had experience in. That led to me finding a passion in brain science resulting in authoring 8 books. However, my true passion was lit when I married the brain science with helping others find confidence. We now say, “We sell confidence”. It’s at the heart of all that someone does… or does not do. Sometimes unwanted circumstances can lead us on a journey that we didn’t plan, but are right. I LOVE what I do. I’m happier. More fulfilled.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Our mission at Ignite Your S.H.I.N.E.® may summarize it best: To skyrocket confidence in professional and personal lives with tools that teach anyone how to own their S.H.I.N.E. and illuminate the world. Thus, our why, our driving force, can be narrowed down to one overarching belief we have: Everyone deserves a fulfilling life where they S.H.I.N.E. This is not where we began. I, (LaVonna Roth- owner and Chief Illuminator) was a teacher for 10 years, was a single mom, and striving to find my place in the world where I could have a larger salary (lots of debt with student loans) yet make an impact on others. Through multiple mis-steps and amazing experiences, the path led me to own my own company starting back in 2008. As a Keynote speaker & Consultant, I stumbled into the learning sciences which led me to place my own personal story into the heart of what we do. I was not the best student academically in high school and my first semester in college, I was put on academic probation. The overwhelming feeling of not feeling smart, not being enough, was a strong belief inside me. After having many students who felt the way I did and my own child, enough was enough and Ignite Your S.H.I.N.E.® evolved. Through our work with educators, organizations and corporate clients, we strive to increase confidence by taking individuals through the acronym of S.H.I.N.E. to help them elevate their personal and professional lives to have a more fulfilled life and greater impact. By looking at Self (strengths, gifts, skills and talents) and Heart (passions), we teach how to Inspire self and others, to Navigate this journey of life with control so we are the Exceptional person we are meant to be, not anyone else. We are very proud of the work we do and the incredible, heart-warming stories shared when individuals make the choice to S.H.I.N.E. We truly can reduce the negative effects that self-doubt causes and spirals to, if we learn to embrace our gifts and illuminate the world!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Living in Tampa is a gem. It’s a beautiful city that is growing physically and socially. It’s a city of diversity and warmth. The Riverwalk is a must in downtown Tampa. One one end is Sparkman’s Wharf and the other end is ArmatureWorks. All great places to eat and hang, plus everything in-between. Ybor City is a couple miles aware where you can embrace an era of Cuban cigar factories and great food! Be sure to visit The Columbia in Ybor and enjoy the 1905 Salad. Yes, a SALAD was just recommended. World famous! There are many other sites in the area such as beaches and Busch Gardens. A great time!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I give a lot of credit to Daryl Saunders of Hillsborough County School District for all she did to raise my confidence and belief in myself. It has led me to do what I do today.

Website: www.igniteyourSHINE.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/igniteyourSHINEnow

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lavonnaroth

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lavonnaroth

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lavonnaroth

Image Credits
Brian Frosch