About Me

My story begins after graduating from The University of Georgia in 2000 with a degree in art and design.  Instead of staying in my comfort zone, I packed up and headed to Florida for a career adventure, leaving behind my friends and family to chase new opportunities.  While working full-time as a project manager for a land development firm, I took a leap and opened a dance school at night, fueling my love for creativity and entrepreneurship. I was constantly busy—weekdays, weekends, every spare moment— I believed that was the key to success.

During this time, I realized I had a gift for mentoring others. I was a much better teacher, leader, and mentor than I ever was a dancer.  While I always loved the art of dance, my true passion was helping others grow, and that passion began to take center stage.

In 2008, I was ready to start a family, and I knew I wanted to do that back in Georgia.  So, I sold the dance studio, said goodbye to Florida, and moved home.  If you know me, you know I don’t sit still for long—even while pregnant with my first child!  That same year, I officially launched Status Design Studio, my interior design firm, with my dear friend and fellow designer, Nicole.

What started as a passion for helping people create beautiful spaces quickly grew into something much bigger. It led me into the world of retail—first with Status Home Design, then Shops at Status, and finally, my boutique store, Status Market.  Each step deepened my love for business, entrepreneurship, and design—but more than anything, it strengthened my desire for connection.

Then came another evolution—my podcast, Status Life with Leta (now Living Life with Leta).  What began as a way to share my experiences and lessons in design transformed into something much deeper: a platform to inspire others to take risks, embrace authenticity, and design a life they love.

With each episode, I feel more connected to my gift for teaching and mentoring.  My best shows are the ones where I got vulnerable on air—sharing struggles, life lessons, and personal stories.  These moments created a unique bond with my audience.  I realize that not everyone is willing to be open, but when we are, it becomes our greatest source of connection.

Now, you might have noticed I skipped over my love life.  Yes, my first husband and I separated and eventually divorced (a topic that became one of my most-listened-to podcasts).  Five years after we split up, I found true love and took a second chance at marriage.  I’m lucky to have both men in my life, but more importantly, my children are blessed.  We all co-parent well, and for them, it’s love times three.

Back in my career—by this point, my Status brands were thriving, but everything fell on me. I had an amazing team, but I was single, overwhelmed, and overworked. I was achieving professional success, which was proof that the businesses I built were thriving.  Behind the scenes, I was running on empty.

Then, burnout hit me—hard.

There’s too much to unpack in just one post.  Thankfully, I documented everything during this phase of my life on the podcast.  Burnout doesn’t happen overnight and trust me—healing from it doesn’t either.  It took time, but I finally learned to slow down, find balance, and focus on what truly matters.

Living Life with Leta is the culmination of everything I’ve learned—the risks, the reinventions, the triumphs, and the lessons.  I’m here to share my story and help you write yours.  Because life isn’t about playing it safe—it’s about saying “yes,” even when it’s uncomfortable.

And trust me, the best is yet to come!

Love,

Leta