We had the good fortune of connecting with Raquel Marie Sims and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Raquel Marie, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I honestly believe the most important factors behind my success and brand is God and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They’re the ultimate producers behind every single thing that I’m doing. If it weren’t for God, I wouldn’t have breath in my lungs to breath, a voice to share his words, nor the mindset to bring forth the visions he’s placed on my mind. If it weren’t for Jesus Christ dying on the cross for my sins, I wouldn’t be free to do what God has called me to do. So with that being said, they’re the most important factors behind my success and I give them all of the Glory. Two other important factors behind my success and La’Marie Media, is to live out the company’s mission which is Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good, acceptable and perfect.” The other factor is a quote I came up with about a year ago that says. “ Everyone has their own race to run! The moment you try to match your speed with someone else’s; is the moment you’ve lost your race!” – R.Marie. The reasons why those affirmations are important factors within my success and brand, is because I simply have to apply them to my life everyday. I have to remember that I can’t compare my life journey and my success with anyone else’s. What God has in store for me, is for me. It’s unfortunate that we live in a world that thrives off of instant gratification because it puts us in a mind frame of wanting things at the snap of our finger tips. When we do that, we instantly put limitations on the process itself, not allowing what ever it is to fully come to fruition. We have to also keep in mind that just because something may work for someone else, doesn’t mean it’ll work for us. I encourage everyone to Be Bold and have the confidence to walk in what God’s calling you to do . Don’t Fold under pressure and time limitations and Come Through the Fire as Gold, receiving the victory you deserve.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a producer at a local TV station in Stafford, TX known as Stafford METV . I’m also the owner of La’Marie Media, which is an all faith based and motivational production company. La’Marie Media focuses on giving God the Glory by sharing his word through exclusive interviews, documentaries, and more! My passion for producing came about while majoring in Mass Communications at Southern University and A&M College. I’ve always loved watching docu-series and shows that allowed people to share their testimonies. I honestly didn’t hone in on what my platform was truly for until I built my intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Once I grew closer to him and committed all of my works to the Kingdom, is when he began showing me the ultimate blueprint for my life and my company. I believe God set me apart so that my platform and I can be utilized as a vessel to penetrate the hearts of others with His word through documented testimonies and more. Just like it says in Deuteronomy 14:2 “You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and he has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be his own special treasure. An important factor that I felt lead to share is that, although we all have distinctive gifts that sets us apart from one another, God is raising up an army that will come together as one and fight on the spiritual battlefield, using our unique spiritual weapons (spiritual gifts), to bring souls back to Christ and be prepared for His ultimate return. Through it all I’ve learned so many lessons, and to be honest, I’m still learning new things everyday. However the most important lesson that I’ve learned was to be faithfully patient and trust the process. I had to understand that the bad business moves and crooked conversations that lead to failures and false hope, were all necessary lessons that I needed to learn and grow from in order to become a better business woman. Now on the other hand, I do have some new and exciting elements that have transpired within La’Marie Media. We’re currently producing a documentary on Suzan Nguyen, whose a Life Coach, Author, Motivational Speaker and more and I’m excited to help share her amazing story. La’Marie Media has also partnered with the NAACP Missouri City / Vicinity Branch thats spearheaded by President Linda Coleman, she’s such a blessing to the community. Our other partnership is with Trista Carr whose a Pastor, Motivational Speaker, and more. She’s paved the way for women through her ministries “Breaking Bread With Women” and has touched lives with her Husband, Levi and his ministry “Full Out Christianity”. I can honestly say that I’m a proud member of their Thrive Tribe! I thank God and give Him the Glory for the individuals and brands that I’ve partnered with and I’m just honored to work with them. The last element I want to share is a new series on the La’Marie Media YouTube Channel titled “From The Script Friday’s”. It was something I felt God was calling me to do for the longest which was share His word through personal and relatable experiences. I would absolutely love for everyone to like and subscribe to my YouTube and stay tuned for what La’Marie Media has in store.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
Ooooo listing my favorite spots in the city is a hard one because there are so many! If I had narrow them down, here are some definite places I would take my best friend, family member etc, whose visiting. Instead of doing a week itinerary, I’ll just list them by categories : Historical Parks/Gardens : Discovery Green, McGovern Centennial Gardens, Buffalo Bayou / Elenor Tinsley Park. All of these parks have a plethora of landmarks and memorials. I love Buffalo Bayou park because you can enjoy it during the day and in the evening! Educational: Museum of Fine Arts Houston and Natural Science, The Butterfly Museum, The Glassell School of Art, The Lyndon B. Johnson NASA Space Center and Museum of African American Culture. Side notw: Houston is known to have one of the best Museum Districts. Place of Worship: Kings Pavilion Ministers and Grace Church Houston on Gulf Freeway. Eateries: The Breakfast Klub, The Aquarium, Bisou, Jimmy Changas (Pearland Location), BB’s Tex-Orleans Cafe, Turkey Leg Hut, The Greasy Spoon, Crawfish Shack in Crosby, OMG Seafood, All of the Papa’s Chain Locations, and Rita’s Italian Ice. Hangouts: Z on 23 Rooftop, Present & Company, Rooftop Cinema Club, I Pic, Spotlight Karaoke, Sugar Land Town Center, The Galleria, and Kemah Boardwalk. I know for a fact there are more but I didn’t want to flood this section lol 🙂

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Along with giving God and Jesus Christ the biggest shoutout, there are multiple individuals that I would love to recognize when it comes to mentorship ! First, I would like to shoutout my parents Mr. and Mrs. Sims, I know that may sound cliche but they’ve been on my side and have been my biggest supporters throughout my entire life, I love them soo much. Next, I would love to shoutout three of my main college Professors, Dr. Darrell Roberson, Dr. Fuller, and Dr. Yolanda Campbell of Southern University and A&M College. These wonderful individuals helped me get started by teaching me all of the ins and outs of mass communications and still till this day gives me advice! The third group of individuals that I would like to shoutout is my current boss Mr. Don Wells and my forever supervisor Mrs. Stacee Hawkins from Stafford METV. Mr. Wells and Mrs. Hawkins , welcomed me into the station with open arms and immediately took me under their wings. They’ve taught me soo much in the midst of my field and I’m so grateful for them. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be the producer that I am today. I also would like to give a shoutout to Pastor Tracy and Toyiaa Baskins of Kings Pavilion Ministries. God knew exactly what he was doing when he lead Mr. Wells to invite me to Kings Pavilion Ministries because that’s exactly where I needed to be. They’ve embraced me in soo many ways and helped me embark on my new journey after being baptized in their church last year. I love the example Pastor Tracy and Toyiaa Baskins set as being a true believer in Christ and they’re truly gifted. Everyone that I’ve mentioned is near and dear to my heart and I know that I can count on them to be there for me and most importantly, tell me the truth, even if it hurts! There are some many other individuals that I would like to highlight but that would be a whole article in its self, but the people who are near and dear to me know who they are! So to all of my shoutouts, THANK YOU 🙂 I also want to do a special Shout Out to you Voyage Houston for featuring me! Y’all are the best and provide a wonderful platform for individuals to share their story!

Website: www.lamariemedia.com
Instagram: raquel_lamarie & lamarie_media
Youtube: La’Marie Media –https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNMTbfE7jO2XFZzUEI-5Yw/featured?view_as=subscriber
Other: Remember to Be Bold, Don’t Fold & Come Through The Fire As Gold!

Image Credits
Patrick Hubbard , Quang Nguyen, Micha & Cameron Fontenot, Corey Glover, C.J Randolph, & Amy Malkan