Today we’d like to introduce you to Marchina Smith.
Hi Marchina; so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Marchina Smith. I gave birth to my daughter in 2010. Many moms can tell you that many changes come with being a mom. I gained some weight, but I lost my confidence. Looking to regain myself through the challenges and joyous moments of being a mom, I joined a modeling troupe called “Walk This Way Productions.” Joining WTWP was life-changing. It opened up many doors that would lead me to where I am today and taught me a lot about myself. In my first show, I was cut because the production manager didn’t feel I had what it took to light up the runway. That one moment of having my family in the audience was devastating, but that one moment taught me never to get up, and in that time. I became determined; never again would I be stopped from taking the runway, and I didn’t mean that in a literal term, either.
The next show, I walked into each scene that I auditioned for. I had found myself on and off of the runway and became unstoppable. Two shows later. My niche was actually off of the runway. In 2014 I partnered with my best friend Ashlee Smalls, the CEO of Lovelee Looks, and we produced Tampa Bay’s first Stride For A Cause Fashion Show. This show was in honor of Breast Cancer Survivors. We had models; hairstylists; and makeup artists donate their time, and designers donate their pieces to put on such an amazing show. This show ran successfully each year until Covid came in and shut the world down. The founders of Stride For A Cause are looking to bring back the fashion show this year and honor not only Breast Cancer Survivors but Survivors of multiple cancers and diseases. It is also this show in which we pick a Survivor and pay off a medical bill with a portion of the proceeds we receive. Having a daughter brings out the best in any woman, and having my daughter did just that. She motivates me always to want to be the best version of myself in so many ways. She is partially why I wrote and published my first book, “The Glow Up Girl.” This book was dedicated to my youth foundation, in which I mentor young girls to be the best version of themselves without succumbing to society’s temptations. I would go on to publish two more books. My daughter’s Kindergarten teacher inspired my second book. She was under the impression that my daughter’s dad and I lived together, as we also showed unity when it came to my daughter when we had been separated for years. “Co-Parenting At Its Finest” was published to inspire those broken families to come together for what is in the children’s best interest. Sometimes I would look back and say, “how did you do it?” Being a mom, an entrepreneur, and a full-time Corporate America working woman. This inspired me to publish my third book, which was self-titled “Marchina Latrese The Mom Boss.” In this publication, I wrote about the struggles of being a mom and an entrepreneur while striving for success. As life would have it, it’s never perfect; and it is not as glamorous as we all would hope it to be. In 2021, I took the proper courses to become a Certified Life Coach. Helping those in need is just in me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life was not designed to be a yellow brick road; mine surely has not been. I was 22 when I got what I would call “the start of my life.” At that time, I paid attention to myself; what I liked and did not like. Struggling to find yourself is an obstacle all within itself. Try doing it with a newborn who depends on you to make shit happen. The first obstacle was balancing time. As a parent, you want to be the best version of yourself. I think this is why so many waits until they “have it together” before they decide to have kids. Still, I feel like getting pregnant is a gift, so that moment was a perfect time, and I was going to figure out how to balance time being a mommy and being the best version of myself. Once I mastered that, the next thing was my financial situation. These are the things that most want to avoid talking about. I wasn’t broke, but I was not rich either. However, the lifestyle I wanted was going to call for me to bring in more income than I was. Passive income became a part of my lifestyle. I needed to learn to make money in my sleep. Obstacles and challenges are just those. They are not permanent; we must remember never to become complacent.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I like to refer to myself as the Queen of all trades. I have successfully written and published three books and produced Tampa Bay’s Stride For A Cause. I have recently tapped into ghostwriting, pushing my writing skills to the next level. The biggest thing I would like to brag about is my podcast. Chat With China. In 2020 I launched the platform, which was designed as an open forum so that we all could discuss topics we want and sometimes need to discuss without the fear of being judged. This platform is different from all your other platforms because those platforms only open the doors for celebrities when we have normal people who are not of “A-list status” who go through those same day-to-day problems and need that same outlet. This is really what sets me and my platform apart from others. I am Marchina Latrese, and my name sets me apart from others.
What do you think about happiness?
There were many times I would say that my happiness was in my daughter, but after some time, I corrected myself. My happiness is within myself. I love myself and making me happy. Making me happy allows me to spread that happiness to her, which she returns. The way I parent her is a reflection of the decisions and choices she makes. She is an honor roll student, National Junior Honor Society Inductee, Cheerleader, and gymnast. Being the best version of myself allows me to be the best mommy to her I can be. Being able to be creative when it comes to writing makes me happy; helping people through what seems like the most challenging times in life makes me happy.
Pricing:
- Life Coaching Sessions $35 per session
- Youth Mentoring Sessions $25.00 per session
- Ghost Writing Starts at $2000
Contact Info:
- Instagram: marchina_latrese
- Facebook: marchina latrese
- Twitter: onlychina
Image Credits
Titus Moye Photography
