In this episode of the Becoming You podcast, I welcome Nakeia Drummond, founder and CEO of NLD Strategic, a management consulting firm focused on equity, social impact, education, and economic inclusion, particularly for black and brown children, women, and families, as well as those experiencing poverty.

Did you always know that you wanted to do this work?

Nakeia: It’s not a straight line; I’ll tell you that much! I always knew that I wanted to do something that felt impactful. My parents also had careers that were in service of other people, and so I thought that that was what work life was supposed to be like. When I became a consultant, I felt really unfulfilled despite all the perks. I prayed about it. One day I felt that I needed to be a teacher, and that set me on the road to doing work for public education and fighting all the inequities in the system. That’s what matters most to me.

Did you ever feel shame and guilt around leading a sporadic career path?

Nakeia: I never felt shame and guilt, especially since I went through it all when I was young and had a lot of space to land if something didn’t work out. That’s what my mom always said to me. It’s okay to quit something that doesn’t fulfill your soul. It’s actually a lot scarier to think about pivoting now because of how much of a foundation I’ve already laid since.

What does self-love mean to you?

Nakeia: Accomplishing things, doing better than the last generation, and being able to provide for others. Doing everything to achieve for yourself and for others is the truest sign of valuing yourself. It’s not just surviving, but thriving.

How has your perspective of loving yourself changed over the last several months of us working together?

Nakeia: I think it’s more on how I perceive God loves me, with grace and with mercy, just as I am. It’s all about coming as you are and not having to fix anything or change this or that about myself to be loved. It’s about loving myself with more kindness and zero judgement..

Success does not have to be tied to hard work. Where is your mindset currently at with regard to that idea?

Nakeia: To hear that as a reminder is always great because it’s easy to slip back into the old mindset. Now, I don’t put all the burden on myself. From a team of me, I now have four consultants working with me. I had to open my mind to hiring and delegating responsibilities, and now my business continues to grow without me having to be everywhere doing everything all at once.

Why did you find it so hard to believe that you are as amazing as everyone around you said you are?

Nakeia: For the most part, it was that limiting belief that everything requires hard work. You often miss the biggest opportunities because it seemed too easy to really matter. You undervalue it because, since it seemed so easy, you assume that everybody must be able to do it that easily. None of us work for gifts. Gifts are given to us. It’s not our paycheck. It doesn’t matter whether or not you earned it or had to struggle for it. It’s handed over to us freely. We need to appreciate and respect it.

What tips do you have for listeners who are too hard on themselves and don’t feel like they are doing enough or achieving enough?

Nakeia: One is: collect your receipts. So, all the ways you’ve overcome or surprised yourself when things worked out the way they had when you didn’t expect it—document all the ways that your life has shown up for you. And remember how you felt in those moments because we tend to forget our feelings in those moments. Another one is: just be still. It gives you perspective.

Learn more about Nakeia Drummond:

Her community for growing Black women-owned businesses: https://www.thewellnetwork.us 

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nakeiabydesign 

Resources mentioned:

Morning Pages from The Artist’s Way: https://juliacameronlive.com/basic-tools/morning-pages/