Meet LANETTE Kincaide | Author, Writing Coach and Certified Grief Recovery Specialist

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

Hi LANETTE, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?

Based on the nature of my business, I currently work in both groups or one-on-one settings with my clients. I would have to say the most important lesson that being a business owner has taught me is to be transparent with your clients and the people you work closely with. Allowing them to see that you are human, you have feelings and you have obstacles, same as they do and maybe even more. A big lesson that I learned recently was don’t make your clients play a guessing game regarding your personal life that may interfere with your business. When you’re sick, have doctor’s appointments or expecting a new grandbaby-which happened to me recently, just be transparent.

As a business owner, I sometimes felt it was necessary to just continue with business as usual, rain, sleet, or snow. However, on June 2, 2021, my entire perspective changed-my mother passed away suddenly. Ironically, it was my customers, my students and my clients that gave me the most support while dealing with the loss of my mother. My clients would say to me things like, “Oh my goodness, I’m glad you told me” or “I’ve had that experience too. I’m glad you shared your experience with me.”

It was my mom’s death that made me realize it wasn’t just about business with the people that had done business with me. I cared about them and their success and they cared about me, my business and my success as well. I also learned during this time that when people love you and they love your business, they will stand by you no matter what.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

I’m an author, Writing Coach and Certified Grief Specialist. I teach people how to write through their grief and pain. In order to teach it, I recently had to live by example when I recently wrote my latest book, “Letters To Mom, Writing To Heaven” which shares the story of losing my mom unexpectedly to death. As a side note, I know this shouldn’t be a part of my business resume, but I’m also a proud grandma! My grandbabies are so stinking cute.

I currently own I Write Writing Academy, LLC., which is a company that helps writers and aspiring authors to share, write and self-publish their stories in book format. We also teach authors who have already written books how to market their books. Both the writing and selling components of my business are in a 12-week format, which I feel separates us from other writing programs that sometimes tend to go on and on without considering the ultimate goal of aspiring authors. At some point, aspiring authors want to write and self-publish their book. That’s their goal.

Most writing programs offer never ending classes or writing programs which only focus on the writing principle. This sometimes forces aspiring authors to feel overwhelmed by classes that continue one after another and really don’t put them any closer to writing or finishing their books.

I created my 12- week writing programs based on the voices of writers and aspiring authors around the world, so our company offers what they have asked for based on their stated needs.

Recently, our company also created a Two-Day Writing Conference called, “I Write Conference” for aspiring authors and authors dedicated to writing and marketing their books in two days. This event happens every March!

I was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, and I’ve always had successful businesses there, but moving to Colorado 4 years ago created new dilemmas for me. One of my business challenges here in Colorado was knowing there was a need for writing and self-publishing, but having to find people that would like and trust me enough to use my services in a city and state that I had yet to become accustomed to. Like many other small business owners, I allowed fear to push me into working a full-time job while attempting to build my business on the side-similar to a “side hustle.” Based on the demand for writing and self-pushing in Colorado alone, I now know working full time instead of pursuing my dream was an absolute mistake that I vow to never make again!

Since starting our business, clients span all over the United States and we’re hopeful to have international clients soon.

One thing I worried about in my business when I started was building the trust factor with potential clients. I wanted my clients to know that I was just like them, hardworking and honest. In order to build trust for my business, I made my small business visible on all social platforms and continued to share the core values of my business.

Our business uses a selective process for our writing program because we truly care about the people that come to us about writing, publishing or marketing. With that in mind, we also understand that we won’t be able to meet every writer’s need but we can definitely point them in the right direction to help them meet their writing goals.

Our business was designed to help our clients succeed. We believe in providing true success rate numbers to our potential clients and, as we all know, numbers never lie. We don’t use fake practices, tricks and gimmicks to help our clients succeed. Our clients use the information we teach them and work hard to accomplish their writing goals. We don’t fudge the numbers or use false information to bring in new clients. Potential clients are normally drawn to the success rates of both our current or past clients.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

First let me say that moving from Texas to Colorado was one of the BEST decisions I’ve ever made. I really love it here. I love the mountains and I’m always amazed by seeing a deer randomly crossing the street, regardless of what part of Colorado I’m in. I’ve met so many friends since moving here and I love exploring both the Denver/Colorado Springs area. If I had friends or family to visit, I would first take them to Yellow Mountain Tea House. I love tea, so Yellow Mountain Tea House is my favorite go to for every tea known to man. It’s perfect for people who like to read or study in peace. Here’s a big secret about Yellow Mountain Tea House. This tea house is listed as a part of Colorado Springs, but it’s actually in Manitou Springs. Manitou Springs is a cute little city with a lot of treasures within itself.

I don’t know if this place is open to the public, but as a military wife, I love going to the Air Force Academy. They have an amazing restaurant there and historical steps of about 300 or more steps called, “Stairway To Heaven.” If you’re a photographer, this is a great place to get the best pictures of deer, turkeys and other historical buildings. The view at this location is phenomenal.

I don’t drink, but I love the appetizers and food at BoneFish Grill. The owner, Hank, is amazing, and he always makes rounds to check on his guests. Being a Texas girl, Mexican food is super important. I love Erickbertos. This is the closest I’ve found to home-style Mexican food here in Colorado.

Okay, let me be the one to say, it’s about time that we now have an “In and Out Burger” and “Whataburger” here in Colorado.. These are burger joints for anyone with a taste for “real” burgers.

If you’re an active or outdoors type of person, you should check out Memorial Park. The history of fallen Police Officers and Firefighters surrounds the park. If you’re new to Colorado Springs, be sure to stay on the side of the park with memorials.

Don’t leave Colorado without checking out Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Denver Aquarium Downtown. Make sure you have comfortable shoes to get around these places. Also bring enough money for parking for the Denver Aquarium or be prepared to walk further away for free parking.

If you are into taking stylish pictures for the “Gram” don’t miss the opportunity to stop by Denver Selfie Museum. This is a perfect spot for the “girly-girl” type who wants pictures in perfect pink glam rooms.

Lastly, if you are looking for vegan food, which is my jam, City-O-City is your spot. Their food is amazing and you’ll love the atmosphere.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

One book that really inspired me this year was, “Bless This Mess, Ruth” authored by Barbara Hall and edited by Naomi V. Dunsen-White. This book shares the story of a very religious mom who didn’t want the church to know that her teenage daughter had gotten pregnant. Regardless of going to church almost every day of the week, this teen living in this “holier than thou” home got pregnant. Going against many core values of the church, the mother gave her teenage daughter an ultimatum. I won’t spoil the story for everyone, but I read this book in one day and I absolutely loved it. Definitely a great read! The author of this book really inspired me. I feel that more books like this, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, are very necessary. This basically highlights the fact that most of us love church, but the church we know today has a plethora of broken systems.

I’m motivated by both the author and the editor of “Bless This Mess, Ruth”, who both seem to be both very genuine people with everyday lives. Barbara is an author, but behind the scenes she is also a wife, mother, caregiver to her mom, and an Associate Pastor for Promises Church in Philadelphia. As if that isn’t enough, she also works with other self-published authors to build and shape the characters for their books. I really don’t know how one person can do so much in a 24-hour period, but I’m motivated to achieve more just by knowing Barbara Hall.

Website: www.writingcoachlk.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/writingcoachlk

Twitter: www.twitter.com/writingcoachlk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritingCoachLK

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WritingCoachLK

Other: Don’t give up on your dreams! Keep writing and keep pushing!

Image Credits
For all picture of me the credit goes to Alejandra Pereyra (Pereyra Photos)