The Power of Perseverance
Overcomes Preconceptions.
Welcome and thank you for thinking of me for your event or conference.
My name is (LA-TISH-A) Hanke (HANK-EE). I am a living, breathing example of a woman who has faced barriers and overcome them. I want my talks to be inspirational, yes. But I want them to be actionable, too. As a Black woman who owns a roofing business, I’ve faced my share of challenges and preconceived ideas about what I can and cannot do.
I get great pleasure by exceeding other people’s expectations. More importantly, I enjoy sharing my strategies and insights with young women and entrepreneurs who are facing hurdles in starting and growing their own enterprises. That is why I also founded the LIME Foundation, a nonprofit serving youth to seniors, empowering the community to reach their full potential.
I’m driven by the desire to reach out to young people and entrepreneurs as an example of what is possible. When I share the challenges, I faced and the strategies I developed, I provide my audiences with a path to new possibilities. Of course, I made missteps along the way. Sharing those anecdotes offers a bit of good-natured laughter and concrete examples of lessons learned.
If you are looking for a speaker who can motivate and inspire, let’s talk.
Speaking Topics
Women’s Entrepreneurship & Empowerment
“I Got This!”
Time: 30-60 minutes
Suited to: Entrepreneurs, business leaders, marketing and business strategists, decision-makers, change-makers, C-suite and foundation executives and boards.
This topic offers numerous possibilities for inspiring women to start their own businesses and take charge of their futures. It can explore ways to build pathways for women to gain confidence, acquire knowledge, and increase their influence. These skills can help create equal opportunities for participation in society. Depending on the audience, the focus can be on the significance of having control over income, owning assets, accessing markets, and being represented in economic decision-making roles.
Women and Minorities in the Building Trades
“Unworthy to Legacy”
“From the Kitchen to the Rooftop”
Time: 30-60 minutes
Suited to: Trade/Building Associations, Association of Community College Administrators, entrepreneurs, business leaders, Construction Owners Association of America, etc.
In a world where the construction industry faces a growing shortage of skilled labor, an inspiring story emerges about a Black female who transformed her life from being bullied to building a lasting legacy. This narrative highlights the urgent need to address the skilled labor gap and its impact on the housing crisis, as well as the importance of diversifying the workforce.
High school students are increasingly considering vocational training over the traditional college path. This shift underscores the necessity of enhancing the representation of women and people of color in the construction trades. By including these underrepresented groups, the industry can benefit significantly, fostering stronger and more inclusive communities.
This story not only showcases the personal triumph of overcoming adversity but also emphasizes how diversity in the construction sector can lead to positive, community-wide impacts.
Workforce Development
"Building Dreams: The Transformative Power of Workforce Development in the Trades"
Time: 30-60 minutes
Suited to: Economic Development Conferences, Chamber of Commerce Conventions, small business development leaders.
“I didn’t wake up at nine years old and say I wanted to be a roofer. But if I’d never been open or aware of the possibilities as I entered the workforce, I would not be where I am today.”
Studies indicate that our schools are failing to prepare students for the variety of careers available to them through small business opportunities, with too much emphasis on high tech. Entrepreneurs make up a significant portion of those small businesses creating new jobs and opportunities, driving innovation by developing new markets, products and services.
Yet, according to the US Small Business Administration, in 2023:
- Most businesses are small- 99.9% of American businesses.
- There are 33,185,550 small businesses in the United States.
- Small businesses employ 61.7 million Americans, totaling 46.4% of private sector employees.
We can do better by familiarizing our youth with the amazing opportunities that exist!
Running and Marketing a Business
"The Art of the Pivot: Turning Challenges into Opportunities"
“What’s your story?-The Power of Storytelling in Business Marketing”
Time: 20-45 minutes
Suited to: Entrepreneurs, business leaders, marketing and business strategists.
Most people don’t embark on the entrepreneurial journey equipped with an MBA or limitless financial resources. They grow and learn new skills as they build their dreams. This topic offers empowering tips on innovative branding and creative marketing strategies to help you connect with new customers. It also highlights the transformative power of sharing your unique story, showing how personal connections inspire people to engage with you and your vision, not just your business.
