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

Hi Lovely, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The Relentless Intensity Behind My Success

The most important factor behind my success—and the success of my brand—is my intensity. Some might say it’s a double-edged sword, but I go all in. When I commit to something, it’s not just about me—it’s about the millions of lives I will impact. That level of focus, that tunnel vision, comes from a deep understanding that my story, my work, and my brand are bigger than me.

I didn’t always operate at this level. I developed this intensity as a product manager at Facebook, where Mark Zuckerberg set a clear mandate: we had to execute with intensity. TikTok was rising fast, and the status quo wasn’t enough. We were pushed—12-hour days, restless nights, waking up in a panic that I forgot something. At the time, I dreaded it. But looking back, it was the best training ground for entrepreneurship. Most people step into business thinking, Wow, I can’t believe I have to work this hard. But for me? The pace, the pressure, the expectation of excellence—it was already ingrained.

And that’s the key: for every success, there’s a price. The opportunity cost? My social life doesn’t look the same. My time with family and friends is more intentional, more selective. I protect my energy ruthlessly. If I feel like I’m not being poured into, I don’t hesitate—I block. I even wrote about blocking my boss in Forbes because I understand that at the end of the day, you only have you. That kind of decision-making? I learned it from the billionaires—Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, and the so-called “billionaire mafias.” They practice ruthless prioritization, putting the mission above all else. Some may look back and question if it was worth it.

But for me? I am happy. Happy that I followed through. Happy that I did what I said I was going to do. I refuse to be the person always saying, I’m planning to do this—and never executing. That is the success of my brand. Relentless. Unstoppable. Focused. And always moving forward.

And that is why I am the undefeated champion of enthusiasm. Because I have survived 100% of my worst days—with a smile on my face. Yes, I am ruthless in putting the mission first, but I do it with joy. I champion others’ success just as fiercely as I fight for my own. Because when I win, I make sure we all win.

What should our readers know about your business?
Building Powerhouses: The Story of Lovely Marshall
I am Lovely Marshall, the founder of Lovely is YOUR Story, where we empower overlooked and undervalued professionals to turn money into moments through our Powerhouse Journey Framework. This includes everything from my high-impact weekly events to the eight books I’m publishing, which will be available in April 2025. But more than that, my business is about transformation.

I help overlooked and undervalued experts break free from career stagnation and become highly paid powerhouses by eliminating the obstacles that keep them stuck. Through my coaching, books, and live events, I provide unconventional yet powerful strategies to fast-track success. And I invite everyone to join the 4,000+ professionals already in the Power Circle.

What Sets Me Apart
People come to me because of my own success story. They see me as bold, fearless, and unshakable in my enthusiasm—because I challenge the status quo and make leaps others wouldn’t dare to take.

For example, I went from $37,000 a year to $37,000 a month—without a degree. Most people are told they need more education, more experience, or more time to earn big money. I shatter that belief. I show people how to accelerate their time-to-cash success using what’s already in front of them, strategies most never consider.

That’s why I was exceptional in my career—because I live for learning, growing, and finding hidden opportunities. And now, I use that same intensity to help others do the same.

How I Got Here
Honestly? It started as a joke.

People would ask, Lovely, how did YOU get a job at Facebook without a degree? They’d laugh—until they got rejected by Facebook themselves. Suddenly, they weren’t laughing anymore. They had the degrees, the experience—everything “right” on paper—but still didn’t get in.

That’s when they came back and said, Maybe I need to talk to you.

I started coaching professionals who were stuck in career limbo, and before I knew it, they were landing jobs at Cigna, TikTok, Google, and LinkedIn. That’s when it hit me: I’m changing lives.

I realized that if I could help people land life-changing roles part-time, imagine what I could do if I went all in? That was my lightbulb moment. Facebook, Google—they’ll always be there. But my dream? My gift? That’s mine to build.

As a Product Manager, I was trained to think like a mini-CEO—owning everything from ideation to execution. That’s when I made the boldest move of my life: I bet on me. And I’ve never looked back.

Was It Easy? Absolutely Not. Was It Worth It? Absolutely.
The real question isn’t was it easy?—it’s was it worth it? And the answer is YES.

It’s worth the people thinking I’m crazy.
It’s worth the months of no payment and flaky clients.
It’s worth every sleepless night, pivot, and lesson.

Because through those moments, I learned:

You can’t rely on just Zoom calls—you need a scalable system.
You can’t depend on referrals alone—you need lead generation.
When things don’t work, instead of asking Why is this happening to me?, ask What million-dollar idea is this struggle trying to reveal to me?
That shift in mindset changed everything.

How I Overcome Challenges
I walk.
I listen.
And I protect what enters my mind.

All day, I’m listening to Neville Goddard, Earl Nightingale, Zig Ziglar, Steve Harvey—voices that pour into me. I don’t watch the news. I’m rarely on social media unless I’m serving my audience.

I filter out the noise and focus on one thing: becoming the best version of myself.

The Most Powerful Lesson I’ve Learned
Those who scale first have systems in place.

If you don’t have a system, you’ll stay stuck. You’ll work harder instead of smarter. You’ll keep trading time for money instead of leveraging automation, delegation, and strategy to build something that runs itself.

You have two choices: stay stuck or scale and grow. And the difference between the two? Systems.

What I Want the World to Know About Me & My Brand
I am building a table of 100 million powerhouses.

When Google, Facebook, and TikTok launch products, they don’t think, Who is our next customer?—they think, Who is our next 100 million users?

I am thinking the same way.

I’m not building a business just for today—I’m building a legacy that impacts millions.

I don’t want just another 20 clients.
I want to empower 100 million people.

And I don’t want to just make a million dollars—that’s not enough for the scale of impact I want to create. I am building a $100 million dynasty.

Because I believe that when you empower one person, you empower a community.
And when you change a community, you change the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Cayo Levantado: The Hidden Paradise That Changed My Life
If there’s one place I tell everyone to go, one place that still lives in my mind like a dream I never want to wake up from, it’s Cayo Levantado. You’ve probably never heard of it—but once you do, you’ll never forget it.

This private island off the coast of Samaná, Dominican Republic is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It wasn’t just a trip; it was a life-changing experience. And what’s wild is—I don’t even know how I had the honor of going there. It found me.

A Journey from Kansas to Caribbean Luxury
Three generations of my family—nine of us from Kansas—took this trip together. We started in one of the poorest counties in Kansas, yet somehow, we ended up on a private island in the Dominican Republic, arriving by boat, surrounded by pure paradise.

I still remember stepping onto that boat—the excitement, the disbelief, the realization that we were about to experience something rare, something sacred.

And when we got there? Perfection.

I looked out, and all I could see was endless sea.
No city lights. No sirens. Just beauty in its purest form.

A Slice of Paradise—Anytime of the Year
One of the most incredible things about Cayo Levantado is that it’s below the hurricane line—which means you can visit anytime and still have perfect weather. No worrying about storm seasons or cancellations—just sun, sea, and serenity year-round.

And the people? Unforgettable.
I was blown away by the mix of cultures. People who looked Hispanic, African, and European—all speaking Spanish, living in unity. It wasn’t like in the U.S., where society constantly tries to divide people by race or background. No, in the Dominican Republic, people are just people. They simply belong. And I wish America had that.

The VIP Treatment—For Everyone
Now, let me tell you about the experience. You don’t just walk onto this island. You arrive by plane, then take a private charter boat—because the only way to get there is by private transfer.

And when you arrive? You get a personal ambassador.

Yes, you read that right. A personal concierge assigned to you for your entire stay—even if you book the smallest room. My children had their own room, not even the big villa we stayed in, and guess what? They still had their own ambassador.

I’ve traveled everywhere—Miami, the Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Lucia—but nothing compares to this. Because unlike those places, Cayo Levantado is truly private.

No crowds.
No street vendors harassing you.
No distractions.

Just pure, uninterrupted peace.

Why This Will Be My Future Home
This experience was so powerful that I know—I’m going to retire here.

I’m not just planning to visit again; I’m planning to host all of my business summits here. Because I want others to feel what I felt. To experience that level of peace, success, and inspiration.

It’s a place where you can be present—with yourself, with your family, and with your vision.

And now, you know about it too.

Check out my Google review where I’ve shared pictures of this incredible paradise. If you’re looking for a place where you can truly escape, recharge, and experience life at the highest level—Cayo Levantado is it.

And when you finally experience it for yourself, remember: Lovely Marshall told you first.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout Out to Those Who Shaped My Journey
Success is never a solo journey. Behind every powerhouse moment, there are people, organizations, and even challenges that have shaped my path. Today, I want to recognize those who have supported, mentored, and even unknowingly pushed me to become who I am.

When I think about the people and organizations that have been instrumental to my success, the first name that comes to mind is my mother. It’s funny because, in some ways, I’ve kept my boldest moves, like quitting my job at Facebook, from her. I knew she’d question it—like any good mom would. But the reason I put her at the top of my list is because she has always been the loudest cheerleader in my corner. My mother, a bus driver with the purest heart, shouts the loudest when I win. And for that, I am shouting her out today.

I want to shine a light on SCORE—specifically my mentor, Martin Estelle. SCORE is an incredible organization of volunteer mentors who help turn dreams into reality. I came to Martin with nothing but an idea: I want to inspire the world through inspiration, motivation, and innovation. And instead of brushing it off as fluff, he asked me the hard questions—How do we get there? In just four months, he helped me transform that dream into a multi-million dollar dynasty. To anyone looking to build a business, SCORE.org is where you start.

University of Houston SURE Program – Ruthless Precision & A Winning Plan
The SURE Program at the University of Houston is not for the faint of heart. It’s an elite, intensive entrepreneurship program, and they don’t sugarcoat anything. I went in saying, “I help overlooked and undervalued professionals become paid powerhouses”, and they immediately asked, How? Where? Why should people choose you over others? Their tough love helped me refine my brand, develop a fully functional business plan, and ultimately win their business competition—despite being in business for only two months! I’m forever grateful to Dr. K, Professor Becker, Dr. Bailey, and my student consultant, who asked all the right (and sometimes infuriating) questions. They forced me to think deeper, to simplify my message, and to build a foundation that works. If you’re in Houston, I highly recommend this program.

HCC Entrepreneurial Program – Small Business Excellence
Shout-out to Houston Community College’s Entrepreneurial Program, especially Sandra and the entire team. They’re doing extraordinary work on a community college level that rivals the resources at top-tier institutions like Harvard. Glenda and David Regenbaum are leading innovative programs that truly help small businesses thrive.

Verizon Digital Readiness – Learning & Teaching Opportunities
I want to thank Verizon Digital Readiness for their grants, free classes, and invaluable “Ask the Expert” sessions. I’ve benefited so much from this community, and I’m thrilled to now be teaching classes on podcasting as an Ask the Expert myself. If you’re a small business owner, I highly recommend joining—you can gain knowledge and even access grants of up to $10,000.

Lessons from Facebook: Intensity and Excellence
I also want to acknowledge Facebook—a place that challenged me, stretched me, and prepared me for everything that came after. The expectations were high, and at times, it felt overwhelming, but it instilled in me a level of intensity and execution that has served me well as an entrepreneur.

Beyond the workplace, Facebook also showed me what it means to care for employees beyond the job. When my husband faced a serious medical issue, Facebook’s benefits covered $49,000 of his treatment, reducing a massive bill to a fraction of the cost. That kind of support is life-changing, and I’ll always be grateful for it.

Turning Challenges Into Power Moves
Every journey has obstacles, and some of the most challenging experiences have led to my greatest breakthroughs. In one of my past roles, I faced a difficult work environment where I wasn’t included in key meetings or social circles. At the time, it felt isolating, but in hindsight, it was a blessing. That exclusion forced me to build my own network, forge new relationships, and ultimately stand out in ways I never expected.

Instead of waiting for a seat at the table, I built my own. And that decision changed everything.

Now, I’ve been featured in Forbes, built a thriving brand, and turned what could have been a setback into fuel for my success. Sometimes, rejection isn’t a roadblock—it’s redirection to something even greater.

Gratitude for Every Step of the Journey
To everyone who has poured into me, challenged me, or even underestimated me—thank you. You’ve all played a role in shaping the powerhouse I’ve become.

My story is proof that with the right mentors, resilience, and a willingness to adapt, you don’t just survive obstacles—you turn them into stepping stones.

And trust me, this is just the beginning.

Website: https://lovelymarshall.eventbrite.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamlovelymarshall/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamlovelymarshall/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@iamlovelymarshall

Other: tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@iamlovelymarshall
Speaker profile: https://sessionize.com/LovelyMarshall/
talks.co profile: https://talks.co/lovelymarshall
Forbes Coaching: https://councils.forbes.com/profile/Lovely-Marshall-Accelerator-for-Powerhouses-%7C-Founder-Lovely-is-YOUR-Story/5d2148d4-64eb-4bc9-a787-c43925e87faf#published-content
Linkedin company https://www.linkedin.com/company/lovelymarshall

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