Meet Lace Johnson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lace Johnson.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Well my story, to be honest with you, shouldn’t even be a story, nor should I be here. I believe prayer saved my life, and rebirthed my dreams all in one. I was born in England and call NY & Germany home. In my early childhood years, I was raised by my amazing grandparents & aunt (dad in & out) since my mom and stepdad were deployed in the military. Around elementary, I returned to my family, as a new big sister and the goal to be the model child. There were definitely some struggles as a child from feeling rejected by my father, parents deployed, physical abuse from an extended family member, was beat up and forced to be a girlfriend to a neighborhood kid, staying inside to do reports, cook, clean while the siblings played to help my parents-despite this I felt better was coming. And it did eventually with prayer, I was able to get away from the family member & neighborhood bully, learned to make my own money by creating drink/cookie stands and learned to hope for the best despite what things looked like. I was determined to receive love by being the good kid that always rose above. Because everyone loves a resourceful and smart kid right? Mm right.

I believe we’re all stronger than what we think.. until a battle comes along and strength appears. And boyyyyy, did the battles come as I got older. As I had a perfect map of life, love and a career in my mind, life had other plans. With no regrets (hopeful for better, but bitterness slowly creeping in) some of my biggest battles included: multiple rape (some from boyfriends friends), sickle cell episodes of temporary paralysis & extreme pain, 33 deaths since 3rd-grade incl. my baby bro at 21, racism in the workplace, write-ups for being “too giving or creative,” anorexia & more. Out of all of these battles, they still didn’t compare to the battle within myself of feeling unworthy. This led to ACCEPTING abusive unequally yoked relationships, overcompensating, straying from God, discarding dreams of making a difference, settling for less than jobs & suffocating my inner creativity. It wasn’t until an unexpected relationship came in 2015, that a pre-shift happened.. a reboot to me & love occurred. I was told my dreams weren’t crazy, my heart was beautiful, I was deserving of better and finally received the love I had always given out & prayed for. The real shift into “Who I am” didn’t come until my attempt with suicide after the loss of two friends, a family’s diagnosis of an incurable disease, more work attacks & a tough breakup-nothing was going right-I was done. I hit my limit at work, left abruptly (sent a farewell text to Loved ones) and tried to overdose on pills-my prayers of better weren’t happening. But THANKFULLY others prayers were heard because every time I tried to take a pill-I got a call, text, plea-of love, “don’t give up” and “I love you”. I had purpose still attached, flushed the pills and wept that week for God’s better.

It’s when we switch out “I’m a victim” name tag for the “I’m a Victor” label that real change occurs. Fast forward to the past two years, it took a moment to get to me-from baptism to shedding my old image, jobs that didn’t excite me everyday, relationships, my own destructive ways, enough was enough-Lace needed the best version OF LACE. Thus in the midst of my storms, God gave me my brand, Under His Love- to bring Hope & Love to those who feel unworthy at times, too. And little did I know, everything was under my nose and seeds already been planted.  A love for my own statement in fashion & thrifting had always been there so Honey & Cocoa Consignment was born(because we all want to look good on a budget, amen? Lol).  The loss of so many taught me to be in the moment AND to capture it, creating W. Love Elle Jay Photography(always had a natural knack for taking photos).  Finally, my true love Covered N Loved Ministries was birthed with a friend, who has a heart for the homeless by encouraging, praying, feeding, clothing and simply listening to them.

Until these businesses were made, I felt out of place, but stifled all at once..and I was because I allowed people to put me in a box. I had to learn that just because something had not been done before or others don’t have more than one thing, that has nothing to do with my gifts..my purpose. May this encourage someone to keep going despite the odds, the naysayers, the traumas-please know you still have purpose attached and to go after your dreams. Again, faith and prayer saved my life. Faith in knowing I’m created for better than my past, faith that if a struggle comes I can handle it and faith that I’ll be successful because my heavenly father says so. And of course, prayer because it not only saved my life-but gave me a new one.

Has it been a smooth road?
Aha yea right lol. I used to say “ I wish things were smooth”, but every road block, yield and merging lane was needed lol. My greatest struggles have been the bumps from this past few months alone. I’ve endured a company layoff from a dream job(dream boss, dream team-loooved them) with a surprisingly, generous & fair exit compared to others(insert sarcasm), a car accident, herniated disks, loss of my grandfather, business partner, friends, TIME and more.

Yet… I wouldn’t trade a moment as each struggle has a blessing behind it and gets me closer to God’s purpose. So appreciative of my INCREDIBLE family(mom’s a rockstar-whole Johnson,PinkettSmith clan), church and friends who have kept me in prayer and encouragement-couldn’t make it without them.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Under His Love is a brand created for hope, love, the grit and encouragement. Honey and Cocoa Consignment, is for the chic and edgy people on a budget. Covered N Loved Ministries was co-founded with a friend, who has a passion for ministering & loving on the homeless & those in need.

1. Love, Elle Jay Photography is to capture moments of love, beauty and hope through my lens. What separates my brand from others is that love is the goal in every business and ministry-&that always makes a difference.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Absolutely! Honey and Cocoa Consignment is online, but based in Phx, so it can be in any city! This year for Under His Love, there will be some exciting new events, collaborations, pop-up shops, traveling to new cities, volunteer opportunities and more.

I would definitely recommend anyone starting out to start in your city, but if you can’t-just START-it may not look how you want at first, but just step out on faith.

Pricing:

• Photography packages start at $75
• Consignment items start at $15

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: Honeyandcocoaconsignment;  @coverednlovedministriesW.Love; simplyjustlove
• Facebook: HoneyandCocoaConsignment; simplyjustlove

Image Credit:
Angela Schoening, Annie Hernandez, Jade Smith, Lace Johnson-for ASU Project Humanities, Save A Life Tour

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.