Author Interview "Velma Trayham"
Velma Trayham is an Award Winning Marketing Consultant, Real Estate Investor, Speaker and the author of WHEN GOD SAYS GO: The Blueprint for building a bridge over any obstacle that’s keeping you from reaching your fullest potential. Velma Trayham cites the grace of God as the catalyst for her current success, and she’s passionate about sharing her God given wisdom and knowledge of how to EMBRACE your own “GO” moment so that you can move toward the destiny and success that is already waiting for you.
Tell us a little about your latest book, “When God Says Go.” What inspired you to write this book?
When God Says Go documents my journey, my experiences and my faith walk and how the storms of life can really take you down if you are not careful and Intune to the voice of God. I was led by the spirit of God to leave my Home Town(Houston, Tx) God told me to GO! I thought, now why would God tell me to leave a place where I’ve been all of my life, built successful businesses and pretty much achieved a great level of success or so I thought. I did what God told me to do even though I didn’t understand at the time, I left not even knowing where I would stay and what I was going for. I moved to Atlanta… now fast forward, four weeks into Atlanta, Ga which was my final destination, I had a wreck that should have killed me, I was hit by 2 vehicles one being a semi-tractor truck and the other being a car. I still don’t know how I survived it, all I heard was people screaming “is she ALIVE”…I walked away without a scratch in spite of not having a seat belt on nor did any of my airbags deploy. I had to DIE in order to LIVE Spiritually. That was the crash that started my new life.
What’s the most surprising thing you learned while writing your book?
I learned that God will know show us the end from the beginning but if we would just start he will lead the rest of the way. I also learned that daily we must trust and depend on God. I also learned many wrong things I was doing in my past that I thought was right but God began to show me new things and changed my heart, my mind and even the way I viewed life.
What “message” do you hope your readers will receive from your book?
I hope that readers will receive a new-found hope in faith and God. I hope that the truth will be revealed of who they really are and not based on the standards that the world have set, but how highly favored they are as children of the most high God. There are so many people with gifts and talents on the inside but they are fearful to EMBRACE THEIR GO MOMENT. I believe this book will change the life of anyone that reads it. It is based on concrete experiences and things that I had to overcome. Many people are looking for answers and this book provides them. I’ve even had some atheist read the book and tell me their lives have been changed. I hope readers will receive the strength to keep on going and to not allow temporary failure to become permanent defeat. If God can do it for me he can do it for anyone. I’ve made millions and then God has taken it away to humble me and show me who is in control.
How did you know you were called by God to be a Christian writer?
I honestly don’t call myself a Christian writer. This isn’t about Christianity this is about spirituality. Believing there is a higher power that is greater than yourself. My message is not meant to be for Christians because many of them are so called “perfect” and want people to think their life is flawless and that’s the reason no one is changing because they feel they must be perfect… far from the truth. In fact, I am glad you asked this question…… my message is for those whom are hurt, lost, betrayed and broken due to the storms of life, adversity and poverty.
On a more personal note: Tell us a little about your “real” (non-writing) life — family, job, church life.
I’m a mother of 2, I love to read, travel and meet likeminded people. My favorite relaxation is prayer and meditation. I am the founder of Heavenly Investment Group which is a real estate investment firm. I’m aslo the founder of ThinkZILLA PR & Consulting Group, a high growth Business Marketing / Consulting Firm. I mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, and I’m a weekly church goer who is passionate about helping people.
Does your personal life give you inspiration for your writing?
Yes absolutely. There are many things that have happened in my personal life that have shaped me in to who I am today. I am more so inspired that I am alive today to inspire and empower others to never give up!
Who is a creative person (not a writer) who has influenced you and your work?
I am influenced by Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama. They are the Epitome of excellence and who I aspire to mirror in terms of changing lives while being the change I inspire others to be.
Do you have any advice for the yet-to-be-published writers who may be reading this?
Writing a book is not easy. There are 3 important things to know… writing the book is one thing, publishing is another and then marketing is another thing. If you don’t have experience in marketing hire someone and leverage their resources and expertise. After a high successful release of my book and being a ghost writer for others we now offer publishing services through ThinkZILLA PR & Consulting Group. Finally don’t just write just because, make sure what you are writing about really has an impact. You will get tired… trust me I did but take some small breaks a couple days here and there to regroup. Don’t try to do it all at once. Remember you can eat an elephant by taking small bites at a time. Ask God for guidance and don’t let anything or anyone get in the way. Go for it!
What’s next for you? What are you working on now?
I am happy to have been nominated for 2018 NAACP image award, I have some upcoming honors in which I am receiving awards for, I am keynoting a few Wealth Building Conferences coming up. I’m committed to building successful entrepreneurs all around the world. My mission is to educate and inspire people from all walks of life to walk by faith and not by sight. It is not how you start it’s how you finish. Build the brand. Start the business, Write the book. YOU CAN DO IT!
If you had to persuade someone to read your book in a tweet (140 characters), what would you say?
Are you ready to reach your destiny? Are you ready for life changing advice? When God Says Go Is for You! Order now
About the book
If you’re in the market for life-changing advice on how to overcome FEAR, DOUBT & DISBELIEF and live your best life now by EMBRACING YOUR GO MOMENT, When God Says Go is for you! This BLUEPRINT will show you how to GO, GROW and thrive in business and forge a path toward success in every area of life.
Award-winning marketing leader and professional speaker Velma Trayham cites the grace of God as the catalyst for her current success, and she wants to share the secret of embracing your own “go” moment so that you can move toward the destiny God ordained for you. She shares how she handled the accident that became her personal “go” moment, and she then offers tips on how to
• handle negative thoughts;
• become battle ready when the devil comes for you, your family or your business
• chase success by putting God first;
• deal with pride and temptation, personally and professionally;
• survive financial distress;
• ask God for help when you need it most.
Buy the book
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and Kindle
Connect with the author
More about the author:
VELMA TRAYHAM is an all-American, Texas gal, a loving mother, wife and woman of God. Velma loves to read,travel, and meet other awesome individuals, and finds much relaxation in prayer and daily meditation. Growing up as a child in poverty and adversity. Velma gained lots of hands-on experience by failing forward FAST!
Discovering her passion for entrepreneurship early on in life she developed the mindset that temporary failure doesn’t mean permanent defeat, it has been her passionate message to her audience and people that she come across every day.
Leveraging her knowledge and experience in becoming one of the most sought after marketing experts, Velma launched ThinkZILLA PR & Consulting Group (A Marketing Consulting & Business Development Firm) working with Pastors, Leaders and Christian based business owners, creating high growth strategies that bridge the gaps between secular and religious people thus helping Christian based businesses to grow in an accelerated fashion. Working with companies such as University Of Phoenix, Texas Southern University and platforms with industry leaders such as; Bishop T.D. Jakes, Meagan Good, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Karen Carter Richards of The Houston Forward Times just to name a few. Velma’s marketing strategies, workshops and initiatives have transformed companies where they were able to experience a 200% growth within a year.