Today we’d like to introduce you to Serita Love.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Serita. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born on the 4th of July! I’ve always had a vibrant personality and positive attitude. Being brought up around constant adversity had always been fuel for my ambition. Being from Englewood, seeing things that wasn’t always inspiring made me want to prove that there was more to life than what I witnessed as a youth.
I lost my mother at the age of 9 and I was bounced around the city of Chicago throughout my teen years. For example, I went to 4 schools in 8th grade. I was voted “Most Likely To Succeed in high school. Shortly after graduating, I became a teen mom while in college. I pushed through all challenges and got through college with my son. Sometimes, I even brought him to work and class with me. Nothing was going to stop me from getting my degree.
I am extremely passionate about seeing people progress, while cheering them on. That’s why the Success Junkie brand exists! My key mission in life is to promote upward social mobility by getting people hooked on ambition. I didn’t realize the true importance of being ambitious, until I had a child of my own. Many years ago, I dropped out of grad school to chase a dream. That dream didn’t pan out like I had imagined, but taking a leap of faith, made me fall into doing all of the amazing things that I currently do today. I wouldn’t change a thing about my decision.
I am obsessed with the number 23. Oddly enough I lost my father 23 &1/2 years after my mom’s passing, last year. I also almost loss my son to a freak car accident on the 23rd of October in 2011. I graduated college at 23 years of age and I sell products for $23. I’m extremely creative and people love to use my ideas for their projects and campaigns. Recently, I created a 12 Step program to get people hooked on ambition because I love achievement. That 12 Step program became my first book, ” The Success High: 12 Steps to Getting & Staying Ahead.”
Alcoholics have AA, and Success Junkie has me. I simply plan to help people realize that they do not have to become a product of negative environments. They don’t have to get hooked on negativity, when more positive outcomes can change their lives in the greatest way possible!
Great, 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?
Oh my god!
Smooth road? Nothing about the journey toward achievement is smooth. You will have smooth moments, but don’t ever expect things to always be good. Never expect things to always be bad either. You can have a bad day, but it doesn’t have to be a bad life. I realize that consistency is so powerful on this journey towards living a life of excellence. I’ve had messy breakups, betrayal, job losses, moments where I was close to being evicted, car repossession, you name it! The good times outweigh the bad. I smile through chaos and I do not allow people’s criticism of me to determine my next move; especially if it is not constructive.
I encourage young women to be their biggest cheerleader and fan. People do not believe you until they see you. I believe it is important to live life like you are striving to become the person you needed to guide younger you. Yes, you will be your worse critic. Yes, people will count you out, but if you continue to count yourself in, you cannot help but to win. I firmly live by that code of thinking. I am an extreme optimist, but I’m a realist as well. You have to be realistic about what you are doing right and wrong in your life. You also want people around you who will call you out, when you are going as hard as you should be for your goals you say you want to achieve. I can go on and on, but if you are just starting out, just learn how to plan out your dream. Have an idea of how you measure success in your eyes. Your idea of success should be original and true to what you like and love. You’re not like anyone else, so don’t try to mimic another person. You’re dope enough, smart enough, beautiful enough and influential enough. And if you don’t believe me, make it your business to build your confidence up to believe it yourself.
Please tell us about Success Junkie.
I have a personal and professional achievement brand called Success Junkie. I provide tools and resources that inspire excellence. I pride myself on helping people become great at personal branding and marketing, However, I dig deeper and help them overcome obstacles that limit them. Sometimes, we have to give our younger selves permission to succeed. We have to dismiss negative thoughts and beliefs that limit us. What I’ve done is put a positive spin on the negative connotation “junkie”. I grew up seeing people hooked on drugs, crime and sex. I simply get people hooked on the goals, dreams and success. Many know me for being a speaker, my book, workshops, seminars and networking events.
People love Success Junkie so much that they want me to provide more products. I currently have Success Junkie T-shirts, Mugs, Hoodies and Wine glasses. Many can expect plenty of surprises soon as I take this brand to the next level.
What sets me apart from others is I integrate book and streets smarts, I know how to bring the streets to the boardroom, with tact and no apologies. I believe that success is dope and I use pill bottles, syringes and drug packaging to teach individuals how to think differently when it comes to what you inject into your mind. I discuss “First hits”, the side effects to being a Success Junkie and Success overdose. People would have to read the book to understand how I’ve made those terms positive.
What makes me most proud is how I bridge the gap between our youth and successful people. The youth have a special place in my heart. I am a mentor to several teens and young adults. I am a mentor and I seek out mentors for young Success Junkies. I believe everyone deserves a chance to win at life!
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
I believe the biggest barriers today are the barriers we place on ourselves. Sure, there are plenty of things that could potentially hold us back, but we have the power to create spaces for the things we believe in. When we focus less on being influencers for more sales and become influencers for more impact, the world we live in will be a better place. I don’t believe in glass ceilings. Some say “the sky is the limit”. I say “Start at the sky.”
When more women stick together and collaborate, we will have less competition. As a result, we will accelerate at a more rapid rate. Women must minimize the fight for acceptance in spaces where we aren’t welcomed. I’m a fan of building doors next to the doors that are not open for women. I don’t mind being unconventional and challenging the status quo. I’m a rebel, in that sense.
Pricing:
- My books are $20
- My T-Shirts are $23
- My speaking fees vary, but I enjoy doing “pro bono” activities for the youth for small events.
- Coaching/Consulting can range from $100 to $1000.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 773.355.1071
- Email: seritalove@gmail.com
- Instagram: @Successjunkie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seritaluv
- Twitter: @Succesjunkie_
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/successjunkie/
Image Credit:
Billy Montgomery – Group Shot ( White and Black)
Jeron Thompson – Personal Photo
Lavell Person- Photo with son
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
