Meet Charla Afoa | Integrative Therapist and Medium

We had the good fortune of connecting with Charla Afoa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charla, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
It has been very important to me that my daughter sees the example from me that she can follow her dreams, make mistakes and still love her self, trust herself, and know that she is always loved and held by the Universe. In pursuing my business as an entrepreneur, I was intentional about allowing her to see me go through the building blocks of my brand and discussed with her my plans along the way. I wanted her to know that being a woman, Black, and a successful business owner is possible and that taking risks with the best intentions is ok. She sees me in my success as well as my uncertainty and I am proud to allow her to see it so that she knows that one day she can do it too. One of my favorite moments was witnessing her in a meeting we were having at her at school with the guidance counselor who was talking to her about various jobs she could get out of high school. My daughter sat and listened to her patiently and then when asked what she wanted to do after high school, she said “Yeah I don’t wanna do none of that…I don’t want a regular 9 to 5…I want to work for myself”. I was a proud mama! So her future remains to be seen but I am filled with gratitude knowing that I have left an impact on her in this way. I can’t wait to see how she thrives and shows up in the world!

What should our readers know about your business?
I have been on the journey as a psychotherapist for more than two decades but I think the “helper” in me has always been there and even to a fault at times. I think the push to go into my own business was realizing that the offer of help that I was giving to others wasn’t quite matched in how I was compensated in my traditional work experiences. I also found that in traditional settings of work I had to modulate my voice and the things that interested me in the way I helped others. So, being a business owner felt like the best way to honor myself and truly show up in practice that was a representation of me.

However, actually putting this dream into action was a whole other matter! Personally I was going through a lot of transitions and it wasn’t the most ideal time to launch the project, however, there really is never a “good time”. When you know, you know and movement just has to happen in some way. So, starting was challenging because no one really tells you about all of the things that come with starting out on your own. Yes, there are programs and mentors but finding the right ones and investing money into those things are very challenging. So, it is a lot of trial and error and I am still learning to this day! I have just learned to accept that I will indeed make mistakes, both big and small, and that is ok because that is actually apart of being a business owner. My brand is my baby and how else would I learn to love my baby without the highs and lows of watching it grow. Acceptance of this fact has been incredibly helpful and grounding.

My brand is continuously evolving in its offerings and it’s flavor! As I grow, it grows, I try to not get stuck in a “niche” as I find this is limiting to me and what I can truly offer the world. The truth is, I am a bad ass at a lot of things and I want to help others find their bad ass within too! The only way to do this is to not limit my voice and allow all those attracted to my work to find me. I guess that is what I am excited about the most…the leaning into my truth that I don’t fit a mold and I love myself for that and its reflection in my work. I am a spiritualist, healer, therapist, hypnotist, psychic, medium….and just Charla. I am looking forward to connecting with clients that want to benefit from my work and expand in their own lives like I have and continue to do everyday.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Some of my favorite places are Little Italy, Coronado Island, Pacific Beach, Encinitas, and Del Mar. I would recommend checking out some of the restaurants in Little Italy as there are so many and the art decor in the area is so culturally rich and beautiful. For a more lively feel I would recommend Pacific Beach as it caters to a youthful energy and always feels to me very fun and upbeat. Whenever I want to feel like I am on vacation I will go to Coronado as it it very touristy and very well kept in terms of landscape. There are beautiful stretches to walk including the Silver Strand and walk ways near Hotel Del Coronado. Encinitas and Del Mar are also fun but a little more chill in their energy. The homes there are breath taking and I love to just walk around and be in the energy as it just hits a little different then any other part of San Diego.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This is a tough one to answer because so many people and events have contributed to where I am today. I am grateful for the years I spent in the traditional church that taught me so much about humanity, what it truly means to be a leader as well as the opportunity for me to meet God in a way that I never had before which has led me to this moment. I want to thank the work of Layla Martin that has literally changed my life in how I see myself as a women, the power in being a woman, and what that power can do in this world. My greatest teacher though would be my daughter. Being her mother has challenged me to lengths I never thought possible…stretched my heart beyond bounds and shown me that being a mother is a force to be reckoned with.

Website: https://charlaafoa.com

Instagram: @divinelycharla

Other: TikTok @divinelycharla

Image Credits
Chiffon Lark