Daily Inspiration: Meet Oya Thomas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Oya Thomas. 

Hi Oya, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in Inglewood, CA. I started singing in church with my Father at 3 years old. 

At an early age, I would sing to anyone that would listen. I would lock myself in my room and sing for hours. I would sing on the porch for the neighbors to hear and would do concerts for my animals. I would perform to my dogs and sing and speak to my stuffed animals. (I was getting my practice in for the concerts and keynote talks to come as a singer and motivational speaker) 

I started writing poems, short stories, and songs in 3rd grade. (I still have my diary writing about my life and telling the adult me what to do when I grew up) 

I loved creating and writing music with my brother. My first original songs came from playing in his studio at our house. (Our bedroom) 

He is the one that brought in the music equipment for me to play with. He took his hard-earned money to purchase all the music equipment that he could because our household could not afford that. This opened me up to so much. 

At an early age, I would sing to anyone that would listen. I would lock myself in my room and sing for hours. I would sing on the porch for the neighbors to hear and would do concerts for my animals. I would perform to my dogs and sing and speak to my stuffed animals. 

At the age of 8, I learned about psychology. Around the same time, I became aware of sadness and anger. I wanted to do something about it. I saw death and destruction on the news and heard about it through my family members talking about it. I saw the red and blue lights down the street from someone getting shot and I knew that this was not right. Why would anyone want to hurt anyone. 

After learning that there was a think that people could do to help people by talking to them, I decided to sit my parents down and explain to them that I figured out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I said, ” I want to sing and make people happy with psychology.” I wanted to work one on one with people and speak to large groups. I wanted to do something to help hurt people not hurt people. 

I did not know exactly what how I was going to put it all together, but I knew that this was my purpose. I knew that music was my raw talent and that I needed to go to school for psychology so I could help people as I grew in my music. 

See the thing is that I remember singing in church and watching people move and connect. They were inspired, but I knew that they needed more. A song is powerful, music is powerful but what will the person do after the inspiration. What steps would they take to heal or manifest their dreams. 

I told many people, but no one could understand my dream, my vision and my purpose. The did not take me seriously. My parents, family, and friends did not understand. People laughed at me and thought my idea was stupid. I even had a teacher tell me to go back to the drawing board and sit back down at my desk because I could never do what I said. She laughed at me and told me that my idea was dumb. 

I was rejected by everyone. 

College was not in the near future, so I continued on with my journey in music and entertainment for the time being. 

I also continued my writing and speaking. I won all of the speaking contests in school and was always front in center for every show or creative opportunity. 

As I grew up and worked in the industry, I feel in love with music, entertainment, and speaking more and more. I loved singing, acting, modeling, and doing shows. This made me happy because it always connected to a big part of my mission and purpose while making people smile. During this time, I was also very interested in not just being in front of the camera but behind the camera. I knew that I wanted to learn more to produce and direct so I had the power to create the image that could positively affect people. 

In the meantime, as I went on auditions and moving into high school, I was told by casting directors how much they really liked me. I would book jobs not just because I was the look, they wanted but because they liked my personality. They asked me if I had other friends like me. 

I informed them I did and just like that the idea of starting my own model and talent management company was conceived. 

There is so much that goes in this section of time, including being taken advantage of by a company that I wanted to work with for support, so I started my own company. 

I had enough experience as a model and talent that I knew how they should be treated and how everyone needed to get paid, and everything in between. I filed for a business license, and I was off to the races. 

I never really looked into it because I was just busy doing the work that I loved but I became the first teenager to every do this in the USA and even the world I’ve been told. 

I did not turn over my high school friends to the casting directors until they were signed up with me so that I could book them and make a percentage from their rate that I negotiated. 

It got really crazy! I began booking my friends every week and opened up to scouting talent everywhere I went. I quickly became one of the top management companies during this time. It was a crazy time too. That was the time of the million-dollar music videos and labels where spending all types of money. From fashion shows, commercials, tv/film to so many music videos I was shocked that this little girl from Inglewood started her first 6 figure company, but it was easy with 5 figure checks. It was easy to make my first 6 figures and continue to grow from that point. 

I was exposed to more money than I had thought of, and this was really important to me because I grew up from humble beginnings. I did not have money to do the things I wanted to do so money became a tool to do things I never could do. 

I worked hard and believed in myself when others did not, and I saw it begin to pay off. 

I worked with some of the most influential and biggest household names. I learned from some of the best in the industry. What I did not know is while I was working on these sets that, I would start to engage in conversations with the artists, directors, models, etc. that would remind me of the work that I said I would do. 

Somehow the producers, directors, artists, etc. would talk to me. They trusted me. We would find ourselves in the office, on lunch or on the side of a set talking. They would share their fears, issues, and what they were going through. I had no idea what I was doing at the time. I was there to encourage them so they could get back to set but little did I know that I was coaching them to shine and be their best self. 

As I graduated from high school and went to college, I continued this, but things started to get really crazy. I was making more money than my peers that graduated from college, and it took so much time out of my schedule I could not be a serious college student. I took a leave of absence from Loyola Marymount University to pursue my career until I realized what I was doing above and why college was necessary for me and my mission. 

I figured out how to get back into school and get my degree while I worked because I knew that it was bigger than money. It was about what I was born to do. I saw so many amazing stars dim their light, and I wanted them to Shine! 

Graduating from college was one of my biggest achievements. College was not easy for me because it was very involved, and I was running a full-time company at the same time. 

Sniffle after cough after cold from a lack of sleep along with stress from dealing with not having the support I wanted and not eating right along with watching some of my family have failing health led me more into learning more about nutrition. 

I was going to school on fumes and working full-time with my company. 

At this time, things started to evolve. I was asked to cast, art direct, produce and do so much more in production for some of the biggest names in fashion, music, and more 

This was exciting because I knew that in the future, I wanted to do this kind of work, including documentaries to help people heal, grow and transform. 

I was growing so fast, and I was juggling a lot. I had to learn how to manage my time and push through the additional rejections that I continued to get from people that still did not agree with my lifestyle 

I remember feeling like I was 19 and alone. Sure, I had some good friends, but they were 19 they did not understand what I was trying to do. My brother believed in me but there seemed to be no one else. My college professors told me to stop doing what I was doing because the work I do would not last. I needed to apply myself to college and college only, or I would not succeed. 

Anyway, I made it through college and was very proud because I did not come from a college-bound family. 

I was fulfilled and felt accomplished, but I knew there was more. 

Again, so much more to share but to fast forward, I was reconnected to more of my own skills, talents, and gifts 

when I worked through the loss of my Father and Grandma. Shortly thereafter went back to school to get my Master’s in spiritual psychology. 

I remembered that I needed to figure out how to integrate all of who I was with music, motivation, and my love for production. 

After all of the personal and professional experience coupled with numerous hours of education and counseling hours, I began to really practice as an official life coach /mentor and consultant while continuing to record and create. 

I wrote THE 5 STAR POINTS FOR SUCCESS while putting out an inspirational music CD 

and with all of my years of experience in business, I began to be called upon to talk to people for personal and professional development. 

I help people live the lives that they dream about or have been afraid to even give thought to let alone dream about. 

Fast forward, I found that I became the support that I always wanted as a child and have been called upon to work with schools to fortune 500 companies, and everything in between. 

I help people from the inside out to be happier and healthier so they can perform at their optimal level. 

That can be a student, entrepreneur to a sales team, or key executives because ultimately everyone wants to be happy, healthy, and successful. 

I am very unique in that I bring music and motivation into the same room. I also bring inspiration mixed with the psychology and business experience. Normally there is 1 person in each category that does all of these things, but I bring all of this to the organization. 

My music CD’s make people smile and inspire them. 

My documentary Ending the Pain is about 7 suicide survivors and their story to give hope to those that have thoughts of suicide (inspired by my past looking at those dealing with depression and the biggest push was when a dear musician of mine committed suicide. This really pushed me over. I could not stand by to see another person take their life if I could do anything about it. – so much more to talk about with endingthepain.com) 

Point is I use my platform for healing unity and connect people to love. 

I did not know that my rejection and all that happened in my life and all that I have seen and been a part of … way too much to type here would indeed be all of the puzzle pieces to create a beautiful mosaic and share with others how to get clear and live the best life they deserve filled with joy, peace and LOVE! 

It has been an amazing journey, and I love the life I live and love to show others how to love themselves and others in an genuine and authentic way. 

It is all about love so once you tap into that then everything else just flows. 

I LOVE sharing and educating through music, arts and my programs. I love seeing the transformation with people. I love seeing them turn their frowns upside down to a smile, living the life they deserve and monetizing their dreams. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
A renowned singer, speaker and “soul-centered strategist,” Oya Thomas engages the minds of her clients at the heart and soul. The award-winning entertainer, activist, educator, producer, and author behind “The 5 Star Points for Success: Manifest Your Dreams, Live Your Life’s Purpose,” Oya has helped many achieve success and create positive change in their personal and professional lives as well as in their communities. 

A talented recording artist, she has been singing and performing all her life, sharing the stage with David Foster, Brian McKnight, and Eric Benet, and has published books and guides on the development of the self and the soul. Her debut album “Spirit of Oya” is a compilation of R&B/soul and contemporary favorites and original songs. Her second album “My Father’s Star” is currently in development.

Oya earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Loyola Marymount University and her master’s degree in spiritual psychology at the University of Santa Monica. Through her performances, motivational speeches, master classes, and more, Oya has empowered many. Her mantra, “Don’t let anyone or anything dim your light – including yourself! Now, go out and shine like the STAR you are!” 

Experiencing the Spirit of Oya is more than a moment. It’s a movement. Oya sparks imagination redefines notions of community and inspires people to think differently about what they can create, together. Join the Spirit of OYA today. 

Success is the freedom to grow, change, evolve, and do things you love. I believe success is the consequence of a big vision that comes true due to small actions taken daily. 

Summary: 

Oya is a singer, philanthropist, and speaker who empowers communities to grow and glow. Oya is aware of how powerful the stories we tell ourselves are to shaping our feelings about the world. She believes in being that change you wish to see in the world. Her focus is on love for self and others, compassion, gratitude, and building community. We invite you on a journey of self-discovery to become the embodiment of all that you have dreamed, visualized and hoped you could manifest in your life. 

Oya’s Cause: 

Oya’s concerts and educational programs build community integrity, positive attitudes, and aspirations for future generations while inspiring others to adopt a growth-oriented lifestyle through Cognitive reinforcement and environmental curation. 

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
My book 🙂 The 5 Star Points For Success 

No seriously I really do use my book and system. I use it over and over again each year as I level up and of course I am always reading books, listening to positive messages and enjoy other motivational speakers. I am reading every day. I like research and articles on health and wellness, finance, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, about gardening, animals and continue to do workshops. 

There is so much to learn! 

If I had to pick one book I would say, The Bible. 

I read it every day! I keep growing in The Word! 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.spiritofoya.com
• Instagram: @spiritofoya
• Facebook: spiritofoyapage
• Twitter: spiritofoya
• Youtube: spiritofoya
• Other: www.spiritofoyaevents.com

Image Credits
Cordoba Justin Jerrod