About
“Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within.” -James Arthur Baldwin
Why Lisa-Unmasked?
In the midst of the pain and humiliation of a personal and financial crisis, I launched this blog as a healing tool for myself. A place where I could write about my feelings. The deep, dark, “ugly” ones.
Even though it was online, it was never meant for public consumption. I only told a few close friends about it. It was never about my business.
But a funny thing happened while I was hiding out in plain sight.
People started to notice. Strangers came by and commented. I even got a few clients.
Privately, I would get emails from people who said, “I love your writing.” I thought, “that’s nice.” I even hired a writing coach who told me I had something to say.
I kept dismissing them.
Then in May 2010, I was invited to participate in the Best Coaching Blogs of 2010 contest. I was mortified. Who? Me? No.
But something inside of me just said, “say yes.”
And I did.
Surprise, surprise, surprise
Being named in the top 10 was a huge honor for me. I didn’t enter to win. I entered to push through my own fears of being “seen.”
Lo and behold, miracles indeed began to unfold.
People with the same fears of being seen started to show up. Talented designers, world-changing writers, amazing coaches. All with the same fear: What if they see ME?
Who is Lisa?
Mom to an “only.” Giddy wife of 23 years. “Spoiled” baby sister of 2 brothers, 2 sisters. Adult “orphan” of the best parents one could ever dream up.
Coach. Writer. Blogger. Friend. Mentor. Conversation starter. Gonnabe rock star. 
Provocative. Controversial. Passionate. Shy. Engaging. Sensitive. Intuitive. Empathic. Spiritual. Bullshit-hater. INFJ.
I love chocolate, coffee, sweet tea, Riesling, broccoli. Believe that french fries and wavy potato chips were created by gods. Loved liver as a child. Thought asparagus was my mother’s way of telling me it was time to leave.
First paid as a coach at the age of 6. (Think Lucy in the Peanuts cartoon – “The Doctor is In”)
Being born a black female in a racist, sexist society allowed me to see how little value can be placed on a life.
Being adopted by a family who never let me forget that I was indeed WANTED, kept me sane and hopeful.
I never wanted another person to feel unwanted. Unloved. Unimportant.
I know what it’s like to be laughed at. Dismissed because you see and experience the world differently than the tyrannical majority.
I know what it’s like to be afraid to BE who you ARE.
That’s why I do what I do.
No More Hiding in My Life
Too many of us are hiding our quirks, idiosyncrasies, fears, hopes and dreams–in plain sight. Afraid if we share those things in our business, no one will like us or buy from us.
Phooey.
It’s time to give up that bullshit.
It’s time for YOU to UNMASK. It’s time for you to trust yourself enough to do so.
So, this site is for YOU. The hiding entrepreneur who really wants to be seen, heard and understood. This is a place for you to feel the love you need so that you can really start to shine you light in the world.
To do that, you must learn to trust..YOURSELF.
What would you do if you trusted yourself completely?
What dreams would you follow?
What parts of you would you share?
What magic will you create for others?
Here is the place to find out. I would you love to be your guide in the process.
Welcome.