💖 “Start Where You Are & Shine Anyway”

Auntea: Lanaysha “Elle” Jackson☕

Topic: Confidence, calling out bullies, and finding joy in your own name

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💌 Sugar Q: “If I ignore a bully, will she disappear?”

“Bullies are very fragile. Their power is fragile. And they don’t do well with change.”

Auntea Elle learned that lesson back when she was 14. Standing tall at 5'8", she dealt with bullies who tried to shake her confidence. But here’s the thing — most bullies are battling their own insecurities.

Elle found out her main bully was being teased at home for her looks. “She was solid,” Elle said, “but fragile.”

With a little help from her brother (and her mama doing the classic bus-stop roll-up 💅🏽), things turned around.

💡 The Tea:

Don’t fight violence with violence. You’re not powerless—you’re protected. Your peace is power.

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🪞 Sugar Q: “What’s so great about being a Black girl?”

“Our sugars, our babies — you’re becoming a Black woman. We are unstoppable.”

When the world starts talking down on you, change the channel. Auntea Elle says, “People’s opinions say more about their insecurities than your value.”

You don’t need to shrink to make others comfortable — your shine is the point.

Simi added, “You control what gets in. If it’s not feeding your soul, let it go.” ✨

💡 The Tea:

You don’t need the world’s approval when you already have God’s affirmation. 🌸

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👜 Sugar Q: “How do I get a job in fashion?”

“Start where you are. My first job was in a shoe store in the mall. Be excellent wherever you stand.”

Elle reminds us: fashion isn’t just about design — it’s about discipline.

“Your job isn’t small if you show up big,” she said. “Whether you’re picking up boxes or styling customers, people notice when you do it with pride. Leaders are always looking for stars.”

Her rule? Be on time. Look polished. Make your manager’s job easy. And always carry yourself like the opportunity you’re waiting for.

💡 The Tea:

You don’t have to start at the top to shine. Excellence is your elevator. 🚀

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✨ Sugar Q: “What’s in a name?”

“My parents dreamed my name before I was born. It was a symbol of hope — and I carry that joy every day.”

Elle’s parents, stationed overseas with the military, dreamed up her name Lanaysha before she even existed — proof that words have power.

“We can say Werchowski — we can say Lanaysha,” she said with a smile. “Our names are poetry. They’re not too much. They’re divine.”

💡 The Tea: 

Your name is your legacy. Say it proudly—and make others learn it correctly. 💅🏽

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💋 Simi’s Sip

You don’t have to be perfect to shine, sugar. Your story, your name, your pace — they all matter.

Protect your peace, own your glow, and remember: your power isn’t waiting to arrive — it’s already here.

Not a lecture, just a sip of tea. ☕💖

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💁🏽‍♀️ Meet the Auntea— Lanaysha "Elle" Jackson

Lanaysha “Elle” Jackson is the founder of The Color of Retail, a DC-based consulting firm helping brands build inclusive and creative cultures in fashion and retail.

With 20+ years in the industry, she’s rewriting what leadership looks like — one stylish move at a time.

✨ Follow: @thecolorofretail