Disability Advocacy & Entrepreneurship Feat. LaToya V. Smith

n this episode Durell is joined by disability advocate, author, creator, innovator, and entrepreneur LaToya V. Smith. LaToya and Durell begin the episode talking about how they got connected in the Full Sail University networking group on Facebook. They both talk about how they have similar roots both being born in Brooklyn NYC, migrating to Florida and ultimately attending and graduating from Full Sail University. Durell shares that what he thought was really cool about connecting with LaToya is that she has created a company that is centered around being an advocate for people living with disabilities. Durell shares that the area in which having a disability affects him the most is in the area of dating. LaToya shares that many people living today have grown up in a bubble where they unfortunately don’t have much interaction or exposure with people that are outside of their demographic or comfort zone. LaToya shares that she didn’t have a choice of who her classmates were because she grew up in a poor neighborhood so she learned at a young age how to embrace others who were different. LaToya shares that we as people have to make an intentional effort to join in and welcome others into our circles. Durell shares the ideology that they talk about in Psychology called “The Single Story Stereotype” that means just because you see one particular segmented group in a particular setting you adopt the mentality that everyone else who comes from that setting is the exact same.


Durell and LaToya talk about the user experience and how someone first discovers someone in today’s online world. Durell shares that he makes it a point to ensure that his brand delivers a 360 degree purview of what he wants, his message and mission for what he does. LaToya shares that she comes across so many people outside of the creative space that oftentimes need a dose of reality when it comes to what they think they want to pursue as a career and that’s why she created the virtual internship program within her company 3S Tech & Talent LLC. She shares that in many cases most of the interns that start the program don’t finish it because once they get a real glimpse into the type of work that goes into what they say they want to do they then decide that it isn’t something they feel they’d want to commit to doing everyday for 35-40 hours per week. Durell talks about his journey after graduating from Full Sail University and linking back up with Vocational Rehabilitation who’s job is to help people with disabilities become gainfully employed but not necessarily caring about where that takes place. Durell shares that because he took a different path to pursue a career in the entertainment industry it would be hard for Vocational Rehabilitation to be able to place him successfully with an employer. Durell shares that knew that he couldn’t live in the more traditional cities for entertainment . He shares that he knew the best thing he could do is to create his own path and company and use his relationships to help artists and also use his ability to share knowledge via his coaching and consulting program.

Durell and LaToya talk about how powerful networking is and that unfortunately it’s not taught how to be done properly at the collegiate level. LaToya shares that networking is more than just handing out a business card but more about having an ability to create meaningful connections that ultimately can become a reliable network that can lead to opportunities that are mutually beneficial to everyone involved. LaToya shares that she came across so many graduates who were trying to navigate the workforce as a creative and were struggling to find a job. She shares that she would have them consider jobs at companies that weren’t being sought after by creatives because of the thought process of it being more technical, there were actual opportunities to show their creative talent and develop their skills much more all while getting paid.

LaToya and Durell end the episode talking about so many creatives who have their dreams snatched because they don’t understand how money is made and generated in the entertainment industry and they really need to take the time to study the business models of the area within the industry in which they have a desire to pursue. Durell shares that if you want to make a lot of money within the career that you are pursuing then the entertainment industry isn’t the industry to go into and put in the work to build a career because the money doesn’t flow in quickly.

Durell and LaToya talk about the technology that she created called the RFP Quick technology. LaToya shares that most disabled people have no idea that they can actually go after government contracts that can help them to turn a side hustle into a legitimate business and see exponential growth very quickly. LaToya shares that the government sets aside money for minorities, disabled people and disadvantaged business owners every year but you must know how to access these types of opportunities. LaToya shares that RFP stands for Request For Proposals and you must submit a proposal to even be able to win and secure a government contract. The RFP Quick technology is designed for those who are disabled and what sets her technology apart is that it’s designed to work with screen readers and make it much easier for those who are visually impaired in giving them a standard designed proposal that allows for them to have the opportunity to achieve success in winning the proposal they submitted for.

For more information on LaToya V Smith, please visit her company website at
https://www.3stechnologiesllc.com/

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