As a long-time member of Give ‘n Take and Own Your Power, K. Saquile Lazenby definitely knows what it means to help others and Own Your Power! Her three-year old company, Life Skills Miami, Inc. offers valuable programs and workshops on financial literacy, credit counseling, and life skills catering especially to teens! Don’t we all wish we knew about something like this when we were that age up?

Get to know Saquile and why she LOVES what she does!

K. SaquileWhat does your business do? We teach the importance of budgeting, saving, investing, and credit to youth and young adults through our financial literacy program “Money Matters”. We teach our programs in after-school programs, summer camps, and special events.

Any interesting fact(s) you can share about your industry? Due to the current economy, there is now a push at least regionally to teach teenagers about the importance of financial literacy. There are organizations and schools reaching out to bring our program to their schools. Habits start young.

What year did you kiss Corporate America goodbye and why do you hope to never go back? I kissed Corporate America goodbye in 2004. I enjoy the flexibility of my schedule and the opportunity to be a strong presence in my daughter’s life, active in my church, and attend seminary school.
How do you stay motivated? I was born with a mission to teach financial literacy in communities that are largely ignored by mainstream America. Knowing that there are people out there that do not know how to create a budget, manage their bank accounts, or anything about saving and investing keeps me going. Also, I am blessed to attend any activity my daughter is involved in and plus I can go to the beach and work if I want. That is motivation enough. I like being paid for my results as oppose to my time. I can create wealth faster this way.

Biggest pet peeve in business? People showing up to meetings unprepared or cancelling at meeting at the last minute.

What’s a bold move you took that turned your business around? I decide to fundraise for our organization. It helps us to expand more rapidly to more schools. We are grateful for all of the grants we receive and we want to add on by learning not to be at the whim of grant-funding.

What’s your favorite area on www.ownyourpower.ning.com? The barter and success stories. I have been fortunate in obtaining clients to help start investment clubs and implement retirement plans for their company. I am a financial planner by career. Although, I am semi-retired. I will help people whenever I am called upon.

What’s a unique talent that you have that might surprise us? I am martial artist. I have been practicing martial arts for the past 15 years. Although, I stop for several years, I am now back into the swing of things. So watch out! Just kidding!

It’s sadly time for your last meal on earth…what would it be? I would some of my grandmother’s okra with tomatoes and fried chicken (even though, I am a vegetarian). I might as well go out with a bang. Oh, a slice of her coconut cake with almonds and bananas.

Have you used Social Networking to gain new contacts/business? If so, what have been any results? Yes, some of Own Your Power Communication’s members started an investment club and I’ve spoken to groups of women on the importance of investing.

If you could do it all over again, what is the biggest mistake you’d avoid next time around? I would start with a business plan and hire an assistant that speaks Spanish. Hey, I live in Miami.

Most exciting moment that you got your time to shine? I was featured in several local papers in California and am about to do a couple of morning shows here in Miami over the next few weeks.

What was your last barter and what was if for?
I created a financial plan for a woman that owned a boutique and she gave me a $500 gift certificate and I bought two amazing dresses. I can’t wait to where them.

What’s in your cd player/ipod right now? Feist, Bjork, Alice Russell, Coltrane, Brand Nubian, Erykah Badu, Goapele, Monk

If you could have superpowers, what would you want? My super power to travel where ever I want, when I want. Just close my eyes, cross my arms, click my feet, and envision the place in my mind and bing I am there with a staff waiting to serve me. Lol

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Website : www.lifeskillsmiami.org

Life Skills Miami, Inc.

785.221.5665 or ksl@lifeskillsmiami.org