Monday’s Real Talk
Once Upon a Time… I Lived a Different Life
You know, sometimes I look back at old photographs and memories and think to myself, Girl, you really lived a whole different life.
And I did.
There was a time when my world revolved around independent artists, live performances, music, literature, photography, and creative people.
I spent years promoting other people’s talents, creating opportunities, building platforms, and bringing people together.
And I loved it.
But today, sitting in my tower, enjoying my coffee and watching the birds outside my window, that life seems so far away.
Almost like I’m remembering somebody else’s experiences.
It’s funny how we can live so many different lives within one lifetime.
And here’s the interesting part.
I don’t miss that life.
I enjoy remembering it. I appreciate what I accomplished. I can look at an old photograph and smile.
But I have absolutely no desire to go back.
Let me tell you how it all began.
Before Flava News, There Was Flava Coffee House
From 2003 to 2008, I owned Flava Coffee House in Seattle.
But Flava wasn’t just a place to come in and have coffee.
It was a place where original creativity had a home.
I displayed independent artwork on my walls. I sold art and books created by independent artists and authors.
And every Friday night, with the help of the creative community, we hosted an open mic.
I loved those Friday nights.
People coming together to share their creativity, support one another, and enjoy an environment where somebody’s original work could be appreciated.
There was something special about giving people a space to express themselves.
In 2008, I hosted a national African American literary conference right there at Flava Coffee House.
The conference was sponsored by the City of Seattle’s Cultural Arts program, and authors, spoken-word artists, and fans traveled from across the United States to participate.
Think about that.
People traveling across the country to gather at my coffeehouse in Seattle.
That was an experience I will always appreciate.
And it taught me something.
When people believe in original creativity, they will make an effort to support it.
Building Lady Flava News
In 2007, while I was still operating Flava Coffee House, I established Lady Flava News.
My passion for independent creativity continued to grow.
I loved discovering artists who were creating something of their own.
Musicians writing original songs. Authors writing their own stories. Poets expressing their thoughts and experiences. Visual artists bringing their imaginations to life.
That’s what excited me.
ORIGINAL CREATIVITY.
In 2009, I began hosting my own BlogTalkRadio show, which continued through 2020.
Over the years, I developed a global following.
I interviewed people, promoted independent talent, photographed performances, wrote biographies, created promotional materials, developed websites, and helped artists get their work in front of audiences.
I wore a lot of hats.
And I wasn’t afraid of doing the work.
Because when I believed in somebody’s creativity, I wanted to see them succeed.
I had already spent years building relationships, developing a platform, and creating opportunities for independent artists.
So when I made the decision to move to Las Vegas in 2017, I wasn’t going there to figure out what I wanted to do.
I already knew.
I was going there to take what I’d built to the next level.
The Entertainment Capital of the World
Las Vegas.
The Entertainment Capital of the World.
Can you imagine the possibilities I saw?
I had a global following, years of experience working with independent creatives, and a vision of bringing artists together in a city known for entertainment.
But once I became involved in the Las Vegas entertainment community, I discovered something I hadn’t anticipated.
So much of the local entertainment scene I was working with revolved around cover songs.
Now, let me be clear.
There are some extremely talented musicians and singers who perform other people’s music.
And I respect their talent.
But after a while?
Girl, I got bored. 🤣
Seriously.
I started comparing which band performed certain songs the best.
I’d hear one band perform a familiar song and remember another band that had performed it differently.
Before long, I wasn’t discovering new music.
I was comparing performances of music I’d already heard over and over again.
And that’s when I began realizing something.
This wasn’t what I was passionate about.
I wasn’t interested in spending my life promoting different interpretations of somebody else’s creativity.
I wanted to discover something original.
I wanted to hear the song somebody had written from their own experiences.
I wanted to hear the stories behind the music.
I wanted to experience the imagination of somebody creating something that hadn’t existed before.
That’s what had fueled me for years.
And somehow, in the Entertainment Capital of the World, I found myself drifting away from the very thing that had brought me into the creative community.
The Flava Experience
I had a vision.
I wanted to establish a destination in Las Vegas where independent creatives could showcase their original work.
I called it The Flava Experience.
I envisioned live music showcases, jam sessions, open mics, book readings, art exhibitions, and opportunities for different kinds of independent artists to share their work.
A place where original creativity could take center stage.
And this wasn’t some idea I had dreamed up without knowing what it would take.
I’d already operated Flava Coffee House.
I’d already hosted a national literary conference.
I’d already spent years building a global following and working with independent artists.
I understood what it took to bring people together.
I found a venue that I absolutely loved.
The Sahara Event Center.
It was an older entertainment space with character and history, upstairs from a roller rink, with a large parking lot.
It wasn’t fancy.
But it had personality.
And I could see what it could become.
I put together an entire business proposal.
A presentation, a contract, staffing requirements, production needs, expenses, and financial projections.
I calculated what we would need to make at the door to cover our expenses and what it would take to make a profit.
I wasn’t just dreaming.
I was doing the business side of bringing that dream to life.
I met with the venue owner twice.
And the owner accepted my proposal.
I had artists and fans who were willing to fly to Las Vegas to participate.
But the local musicians I was hoping to work with were hesitant to commit.
And then there was my supposed longtime business partner.
He attended both meetings with me.
During the second meeting, he fell asleep.
Yes, girl.
Fell asleep during a business meeting. 🤣
And after the venue owner accepted the proposal, he backed out.
Now, I can laugh about that part today.
But at the time, I was trying to put together something that required people to take their responsibilities seriously.
I had also moved to Las Vegas believing certain people who expressed enthusiasm for my concept would support it.
But expressing interest in somebody’s vision and actually showing up to help make it happen are two very different things.
I had the venue.
I had the business plan.
I had the vision.
I had people willing to travel.
But I didn’t have the dependable team necessary to produce the experience I envisioned.
And I knew I couldn’t do it all alone.
So I stopped.
When You Find Yourself Working Harder Than the Dreamer
I continued working with creatives in Las Vegas.
I helped with websites, social media, promotions, and other projects.
I offered ideas for ways people could develop their talents into business opportunities.
But I began noticing something that bothered me.
People loved talking about what they wanted to accomplish.
They loved hearing a good idea.
They loved the possibilities.
But when it came time to do the actual work, make commitments, or invest in their own projects, things often didn’t move forward.
And there I was, investing my time, my knowledge, my energy, and sometimes my own money into helping other people.
Eventually, I had to ask myself a question.
Why am I working harder to build somebody else’s dream than they’re willing to work themselves?
That’s a hard question when you’re somebody who genuinely enjoys helping people.
Because you can see their potential.
You can see the possibilities.
You can see what something could become.
But there’s something I’ve learned.
You cannot make somebody else want success badly enough to do the work required to achieve it.
You can encourage them.
You can help them.
You can share your knowledge.
But you cannot provide their commitment for them.
And I had reached a point where I was tired.
When I prepared to leave Las Vegas, I gave people the opportunity to take responsibility for the websites and services I had been maintaining for them.
They chose not to.
So I removed my financial responsibility and stopped providing those services.
I wasn’t angry.
I was finished.
And there’s a difference.
What Las Vegas Changed
I’ve said something about my years in Las Vegas that might surprise people.
My passion for working with creatives died in Vegas.
Not my creativity.
My passion for working with other creatives.
There’s a big difference.
I still love original art, music, writing, and the imagination of people who create something meaningful.
But I no longer have the desire to spend my days promoting entertainers, organizing showcases, managing other people’s websites, or trying to turn somebody else’s creative talent into a successful business.
That chapter of my life ended.
And you know what?
I’m okay with that.
I don’t feel like I need to revive it.
I don’t feel like I need to prove anything.
I don’t feel like I missed my one opportunity to accomplish something meaningful.
Because I had already accomplished meaningful things long before I moved to Las Vegas.
Flava Coffee House was real.
Those Friday night open mics were real.
The national literary conference was real.
Flava News was real.
My radio show and global following were real.
The relationships, experiences, and opportunities I helped create were real.
And even though The Flava Experience never became the show I envisioned, the work I put into developing it was real, too.
One project that didn’t materialize doesn’t erase years of accomplishments.
Living a Different Life
Today, I’m back in Seattle.
And my life is nothing like it used to be.
I don’t spend my evenings at entertainment venues.
I don’t have to worry about who is performing, who’s promoting a show, or whether somebody has completed what they promised to do.
I don’t have to build another website for somebody who doesn’t want to maintain it.
And I don’t have to listen to another band perform the same cover song for the hundredth time.
Thank goodness! 🤣
These days, I enjoy my quiet life in my tower.
My coffee.
My birds.
My family.
My thoughts.
My writing.
I enjoy waking up without feeling like I have to be somewhere or do something for somebody else.
And I still have Lady Flava News.
Only now, instead of dedicating my creative energy to telling the stories of independent artists, I’m telling my own stories.
Stories about life.
Health and wellness.
Aging.
Relationships.
Family.
The lessons I’ve learned and the things I continue to discover about myself.
I’m still creating.
I’m just creating differently.
And there’s a wonderful freedom in that.
Once Upon a Time…
Sometimes I think about how much our lives can change.
We spend years building something, loving something, believing something is going to be part of our lives forever.
And then one day, we realize we’ve moved on.
Not necessarily because something terrible happened.
Not because everything was a failure.
But because we’re no longer the same person who needed that experience.
I look back at those years with appreciation.
I remember the excitement.
The people.
The performances.
The creativity.
The accomplishments.
And yes, I remember the disappointments.
But I don’t sit around wishing I could go back and do it all again.
I lived it.
I experienced it.
I learned from it.
And I moved on.
That’s one of the beautiful things about getting older.
You begin to understand that you don’t have to carry every dream, every responsibility, or every passion into the next chapter of your life.
Some things are meant to be part of your journey, not your destination.
And there’s nothing wrong with appreciating what once brought you joy while finding joy in something completely different today.
So when I look at those old photographs and remember the woman who owned a coffeehouse, hosted open mics, organized literary events, interviewed artists, promoted performances, and dreamed of creating The Flava Experience in Las Vegas, I smile.
Because I know her.
I know how hard she worked.
I know how much she loved what she was doing.
And I know she gave it her best.
But I also know the woman sitting in her tower today.
And I like her life, too.
I don’t need to go back to appreciate where I’ve been.
Once upon a time, I lived a different life.
And girl, I’m glad I got to live it. ❤️🌻
Lady Flava’s Real Talk
You can appreciate a chapter of your life without wanting to reopen it. You can be proud of what you accomplished without needing to accomplish it again. And you can let go of a passion that no longer brings you joy without losing the creative spirit that inspired it.
Sometimes moving forward isn’t about doing more. It’s about recognizing when you’ve done enough and allowing yourself to enjoy the life you have today.
Lady Flava aka Susan K. 🌻
Lady Flava News — Real Life. Real Stories. Real Talk. 🌻
Real Talk with Lady Flava 🌻
The Evolution of Lady Flava
2003–Present
2003–2008 | Flava Coffee House — Seattle
The beginning of the Lady Flava creative journey. A gathering place celebrating original creativity through independent art, books, Friday night open mics, and community events.
2007–Present | Flava News
Established as a platform dedicated to promoting independent artists, musicians, authors, and original creative expression.
2008 | National African American Literary Conference
Hosted at Flava Coffee House, sponsored by the City of Seattle’s Cultural Arts program, bringing authors, spoken-word artists, and fans from across the United States.
2009–2020 | Lady Flava’s BlogTalkRadio Era
Eleven years of broadcasting, interviewing, promoting independent talent, and building a global following.
2017–2023 | The Las Vegas Chapter
The vision of taking Flava News to the next level in the Entertainment Capital of the World, including the development of The Flava Experience.
2023–Present | The New Version of Lady Flava News
A new chapter centered on original personal storytelling, real-life experiences, health and wellness, healthy aging, relationships, life lessons, and personal growth.
The creative spirit continues, but the focus has shifted from promoting other people’s creativity to sharing Lady Flava’s own voice, wisdom, and experiences.
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Lady Flava | 2003–Present
From creating spaces for others to share their stories… to embracing the freedom of telling my own.
Flava News — Real Life. Real Stories. Real Talk. 🌻
