it's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new WEBSITE (and I'm feeling good)!
introducing lorealthompsonpayton.com
#WednesdayWisdom
“A woman coming through hell and back and embodying her authentic self and higher purpose is a different kind of woman.” ~ Lalah Delia
Morning Musings
Earlier this year, my business coach
encouraged me to take up space. I was telling her about how I was planning on creating a new personal site (at the suggestion of my forever work husband Pedro). There was just one tiny problem….I felt like my full name was too long.Ever since I changed my Instagram handle from lorealkt to LTintheCity when I moved from Baltimore to Chicago the summer of 2013, the moniker has become somewhat of a shorthand for my full name—L’Oreal Thompson Payton. Although to be fair, back then it was just L’Oreal Thompson (and to be full transparent, my legal name is L’Oreal Payton, but alas ya girl won journalism awards under my maiden name and SEO matters, so here we are).
Anyway, I digress. My name is a mouthful. Not to mention a bit difficult for people to spell and pronounce (despite it being spelled and pronounced just like the global cosmetics company). Using LTintheCity for my social media handles, my website and this very newsletter was my way of ensuring people would be able to easily look me up and find me after podcast interviews, conferences, networking events, etc. And it certainly served its purpose.
But I’m more than just “LTintheCity” and it’s been high time to separate the two. L’Oreal Thompson Payton is the brand. LTintheCity is the platform. Pedro had been nudging me to do this for literal years, but it wasn’t until the top of the year that I finally put the wheels in motion.
In the recap of my Jan. 2 business reflection session with Jenni, she wrote in all caps so I wouldn’t miss it:
Theme: GOOD ENOUGH. EXPERIMENTING. TAKING UP SPACE, SHOWING UP.
[ownership!]
Okay, Jenni, you didn’t have to yell! (I kid, Jenni is one of the calmest people I know besides my dad and Jeff…must be something about names that start with J 🤔). But I got the point.
For years I’d been afraid of taking too much space—even if it was digital space. So I bought the URL, lorealthompsonpayton.com; hired a creative director to overhaul my branding; and took the necessary steps to change my LLC from LT in the City, LLC to LT in the City Media, LLC. And I’m excited to share both went live this week!
Going into this rebrand I knew I want to hire and showcase Black woman-owned businesses. And I’m proud to say I was able to do just that! Please be sure to check them out and, if you’re need of any creative services in the Chicagoland area (and beyond!), hire them as well:
Creative Director, Pooja Shah of Tembo Tones
After seeing Pooja’s headshots of my friends Taylor and Flavia, I knew I wanted her to do my next batch. In addition to updated headshots, I wanted a whole lifestyle shoot that really captured me at my essence—an author, a writer, a storyteller, a media mogul in the making. Once we were creating the mood board for the photo shoot, I knew I wanted to have her redo the whole shebang, so I hired her to develop all new branding, complete with a new logo and color palette. I’m in utter awe of people who can take the ideas that exist in my head and make them a reality. Pooja is one of those people!
Web Designer, Kia Dyson of Golden Launch Creative
I’ve been following Kia’s work for a long time (chances are, she’s designed the websites for some of your faves) and while I know I’m a little ways off from being able to afford one of her custom sites, I have to say the Ro & V template got the job done just fine. Not to mention Kia offers amazing customer service (ask me how I know)!
Stylist, Lakyn Carlton
If you’ve been rocking with me for a minute, then you know I worked with Lakyn to style my author headshots last year, as well as the outfits for my book tour and speaking engagements. While I took what Lakyn taught me and was able to come up with most of the outfits on my own, she helped add the final touches with some key accessorizing.
Makeup Artist, Capri Latimore of Makeup By Capri
There is only one person I trust to do my makeup in the Chicagoland area and that is Capri Latimore. She’s done my makeup for all of my headshots to date, plus a boudoir shoot; my 35th birthday and Violet’s smash cake shoot. I can always trust her to help me look my best while also feeling like my best.
Honorable Mentions:
My braider, Nora, who gets me in and out in 3.5 hours flat WITH a shampoo & blow dry (if you’ve spent any time dealing with IG stylists, then you understand how rare this is)
Hanifa. Now, I don’t know the designer, Anifa, personally; however, I knew I wanted to highlight Black women designers in my outfits as much as possible.
House of Aama. I bought one of the dresses from their Target collection for Black History Month and it’s easily one of my favorite items of clothing. I can’t wait until I can afford one of their higher-end items.
I hope you’ll check out my new site and let me know what you think! I’ll share more next week about what this all means for the newsletter (don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere) and more in next week’s issue.
In the meantime, I encourage you to take up space. All of it. At work. On the internet. In every room you enter. Because you deserve to and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise, especially yourself! 😉
Celebrating One Year of Stop Waiting for Perfect!
It’s hard to believe we’re coming up on the one-year anniversary of Stop Waiting for Perfect! As such, there are a few opportunities to celebrate with me next month:
August 2: I’ll be at The Black Women’s Expo signing copies of Stop Waiting for Perfect! Get your ticket here.
August 4: I’m collaborating with Three Avenues Bookshop here in Chicago to bring you a very special event! I’ll be leading a yoga and guided meditation session inspired by Stop Waiting for Perfect followed by a Q&A and book signing. Only a few tickets left!
August 29: We’re closing out the month at Call & Response in Hyde Park. There will be a book discussion followed by a book signing and meet & greet.
What I’m Reading
Welp, it looks like white women answered the call and put their money where their mouth is…now let’s see what happens come November.
For anyone struggling with infertility when it seems like everyone around you is pregnant.
The entire summer issue of Hammer & Hope, a magazine of Black politics and culture. Honestly, I can’t recommend just one article.
Now Hiring
Regional Communications Director for Harris for President
Contract Photo Editor for The 19th
Content & SEO Marketing Manager for Coral Care
Director of Communications for Sandy Hook Promise
Maternal Health Innovation Program Manager for The North Carolina Division of Public Health
Chief Communications Officer for The National Council of Negro Women
Bilingual Client Services Coordinator for The Baltimore Abortion Fund
Graphic Designer for YR Media
Summer Colors Are In!
Have you checked out the latest Stop Waiting for Perfect merch? New colors and youth sizes are now available!
Thank You
A special thank-you to April, Jeff, Carol, Cait, Amanda, Harleen, Megan, Najja, Jessica, Priti, Cat, Jenna, Mallory, Rachel, Angel, Sarah, Camesha, Vix, Anna, Stephanie, Dominique, Tiffany, Emily, Mabinty, Lindsey, Casey, Lynnae, Dani, Amanda, Raina, Abigail, Sharon, Kristen, Heather, Renae, Jennie, Brittaney, Kyndall, Sarah, Cecilia, Jessica, Kimberly, Jessica, Ean, Lauren and Brittani for becoming paid subscribers and helping to fuel this newsletter. I truly appreciate your support! 💜
The website is GORGEOUS. Love what you've done and the headshots are equally stunning! Congrats! And Jenni is the best.
COME ON NEW WEBSITE!!! It and you are stunning!!! And yes to taking up more space! Im so excited for you!