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How To:

Adapt, Adapt, Adapt

Singer LaFaye Benton is well known in Charleston and beyond as a dynamic, all-out performer who gets people on the dance floor.

She is also a designer, event planner, teacher, and founder of a production company. Incidentally, this dynamo is also a qualified mechanic and personal trainer. While many entrepreneurs advise their peers to do one thing and do it well, she has made a life following her many passions – and trusting her instincts.

After the Army, LaFaye moved to Charleston. Last year, a medical issue disrupted her performance schedule and led her to become a substitute teacher — which she discovered she loves. That plot twist led LaFaye to found Auntie’s House, a production company that helps keep kids educationally engaged during the summer.

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It seems like your path has led you from one stepping stone to another. Do you make
decisions by instinct?

Yes, and I like to think so far, I’m not doing too bad! Besides my instincts, I have a really strong faith. I write down my vision and make a plan. If a situation requires me to ponder and think
about it, I take some time to write it out. If something needs an immediate response, I ask ‘what’s my gut feeling?’ Intuition plays a part when it needs to, but when it needs time, I’ll take time to pray about it and seek God. I’ve kept a diary since I was little, and it’s been important because it shows my growth from a kid to a young adult to a woman.

Have your interests and what drives you changed over the years?

No, my motivation has always been the same. I’m always like, ‘Something has to make me famous so I can buy my mom a house!’ The number one thing that drives me to adapt to change is the motivation to do for people, to help people, and to put my family in a position to be prosperous. My motivation is my family.

Sometimes entrepreneurs advise doing one thing and doing it well, but is that advice right for everyone? From a business perspective, do you think it’s possible to do more than one thing well?

I think it’s possible. I’m only saying that because I’ve been in a position to do more than one thing, and I’ve surprised myself. Where people go wrong is not really honing in on those specific talents. You have to put the time in.

If you do a lot of things, you have to make sure all of those brands or projects are done right or the right way. I give myself time every day - 30 minutes to an hour for each brand. You have to use your time wisely; otherwise, you’ll be overwhelmed and overworked. I’m a stickler for professionalism. You can be Jill-of-all-Trades, but you have to put the work in. It is definitely tough.

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For entrepreneurs in the arts, passion doesn’t always pay the bills. What role has gig work played in your life?

At one point, it was my only stream of income. It was pretty important to me. Last year came around, and I found out I had a polyp on my vocal cord, so I had to sit down with myself and have a come-to-Jesus moment. I knew I might not be able to perform five nights a week anymore. It was one of the toughest talks I’ve ever had with myself. I said, ‘So what else can you do?’ That’s how Auntie’s House became what it is now. I may not be able to sing five nights a week, but as long as I am connected to music in some way, I’ll be okay.

What advice would you give young entrepreneurs about the importance of being able to adapt to change and adversity?

When you tell young people to adapt, they think, ‘Okay, now I have to do what other people are doing,’ but it’s really the complete opposite. You can create your own lane. You can create opportunities for other people. I can truly say that I’ve had an opportunity to create an avenue for myself. It’s allowed me to create space for other people and to help other singers and artists who don’t know how to get started. My advice is to be yourself and do what you want to do. Create your own vision and your own purpose, then make it happen.