Life & Work with LeTysha Montgomery

Today we’d like to introduce you to LeTysha Montgomery.

Hi LeTysha, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I became a small business owner back in 2006 with my jewelry. All my jewelry is handcrafted, stylish, unique and one-of-a-kind. I am a self-taught jewelry designer and started making jewelry in 2005  after I graduated from college. It started out as a hobby and then turned into a business. What I didn’t realize is that jewelry was actually a distraction from something that I wouldn’t know was endometriosis until 14 years later. The first time I heard the word endometriosis was back in 2005 but didn’t know much about it. It wasn’t talked about much and the doctor didn’t say much about it either.  I was just given a pamphlet. Jewelry was my outlet so I didn’t have to focus on all the pain the endometriosis was causing and the things I couldn’t do. My vision with my jewelry, in the beginning, was all about empowering women and wanting them to stand out from the crowd. So many times, we are in a shadow and don’t realize it.

After I was officially diagnosed with endometriosis in late summer of 2019, I started my own podcast called Endometriosis: Journey to Butterfly. Then later in the fall, I became an empowerment speaker.

During the beginning of the pandemic, God told me to become an author so more people could hear my story. I had never written a book before, then about 4 months later I saw an opportunity to become a co-author. I have since been a co-author in 9 collaborative books with 4 being Amazon’s #1 Best Sellers. I have more books being released in 2023. I have also won awards for being an author and had other amazing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and experiences!

My vision has pivoted since becoming an author. It’s focused more on women’s health, endometriosis, and advocating for yourself and your health!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I first started doing craft shows and events back in 2006, it wasn’t as many as there are now. And the shows were mainly from September to December so they were all in a short amount of time. As time went on, they started to have shows in the summertime and springtime. Now there are lots of shows and events but now there are more jewelry designers too. So it’s a lot harder to get into different shows and events.

There aren’t a lot of author events here in KC. I have done a few here in town, but mainly I have gone out of town for author events. Being an author has definitely opened some amazing doors both here and in other cities.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I do a variety of things which include being an award-winning best-selling author, empowerment speaker, jewelry designer, podcast host, and endometriosis advocate.

I was originally known either by my business name Stand Out Style or by being a jewelry designer. I used to do a lot of shows in the metro area for many years.

In the last few years, I became an empowerment speaker, podcast host, endometriosis advocate, and best-selling author.

I don’t do the same shows that I used to do when I was just a jewelry designer because most of those are just for handmade vendors. I prefer doing shows where I can showcase either my books and jewelry or book signings. Now when I do events people are introduced to me as an author or an author who is also a jewelry designer. Telling my story by becoming an author is a unique experience that has allowed me numerous opportunities.

I am most proud of being the Certificate of Achievement Global Impact Award Recipient! It’s an amazing honor to be recognized in this way. I am also proud that I was on a billboard in Times Square in New York City.

There are many things that set me apart in the different types of books that I have co-authored. One is that I write about my journey with endometriosis in various genres from women’s to Christian to non-fiction to journals to young adults. I don’t think any other authors do that nor do they consistently write about their endometriosis journey. I want to share my story of endometriosis in as many different genres as possible to reach as many women as possible. Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women so it’s a very common disease but it isn’t talked about much. My mission is to educate and bring awareness about endometriosis.

My first speaking event was at a women’s event in New York City.

I started my podcast after having endometriosis surgery and it grew organically and is listened to in over 50 different countries. I never really posted a lot about it nor did I take out ads.

So basically, everything sets me apart from others because I am truly unique in everything I do!

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
In terms of the jewelry industry, I see more people making their own jewelry. At crafts shows and events there are so many people who make jewelry and the number continues to grow. I know that I am not wearing jewelry as much as I used to before the pandemic because events, parties and etc. were stopped. Even though they are starting again I still don’t think it will be the same as before.

In terms of books and being an author, e-books and audiobooks will become more and more popular. I think people’s lives will continue to be busy and new technology will always be coming out. I think more people will become authors as well with all the technological advancements. Everyone has a unique story to share!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://author-letysha.square.site/
• Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/stand_out_style
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLeTysha
• Other: https://standoutstylejewelry.square.site/