Entrepreneur Spotlight: Latoya Dixon Smith of One Union Studios
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Entrepreneur Spotlight: Latoya Dixon Smith of One Union Studios

  • Writer: Casey Ariel Thobias
    Casey Ariel Thobias
  • 5 days ago
  • 4 min read
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Latoya Dixon Smith | Founder, One Union Studios

“Money is energy — not a trophy for success.”


As we continue to spotlight powerful voices this Black Business Month, we’re honored to feature Latoya Dixon Smith, the founder of One Union Studios — a photography and event venue based in Fountain Inn, South Carolina that’s expanding how we experience creative space.


One Union Studios isn’t just a place for photoshoots. It’s a sanctuary for visionaries. A place where ideas come to life through curated settings, accessible rentals, and intentional community. Whether you're a content creator, event planner, or entrepreneur in need of polished visuals, Latoya’s space offers more than four walls — it offers a portal of context, clarity, and convenience.


Yet behind the curated content and seamless client experiences lies a founder story rooted in persistence, reflection, and reinvention.



The Unspoken Truth About Studios


In the age of social media, where it's all too common to see entrepreneurs post curated content of happy times and milestone wins, Latoya grants us honesty about what is happening beyond the camera lens.


“Inconsistent bookings make it really hard to keep a studio open,” Latoya shares.

It’s a reality that many don’t talk about — especially in the creative industry, where the line between passion and profit can blur very quickly.


Latoya has learned to adapt by shifting how she thinks about cash flow.


“I need to diversify my income streams cohesively across my business,” she says, “and operate with a mindset to build recurring monthly revenue — instead of waiting for random leads.”

This shift toward stability — toward creating dependable income rather than chasing occasional spikes — has become a core focus of her strategy. It’s a turning point all entrepreneurs eventually reach: the moment they begin assessing customer behavior patterns and intentionally designing offers that lead to more predictable revenue.


We thank Latoya for offering this truth — and it's so cool to hear that revenue diversification is the financial strategy she has leaned into to create greater stability! We love this!



Listening, Pivoting, and Showing Up


One of the most surprising lessons Latoya learned came straight from her customers:


“I thought they wanted a blank space to create from — but it turns out, they want it already designed so it takes less effort in their creative process.”

So she evolved. One Union Studios now offers more turnkey spaces, reducing the friction for clients and increasing booking appeal.


This pivot shows just how intimately Latoya is showing up for the customer. Rather than being obsessed with the solution she wanted customers to have (let’s say, letting their wildest dreams run wild), she was obsessed with the problem they had — which was wanting a pre-designed canvas to lessen their effort in the creative process.


Amazing. Beautiful. Powerful.


We’re applauding you, Latoya — beautifully done.



On Legacy, Contracts & Cash Flow


When asked if she sees herself building a legacy business or planning to sell, Latoya took a beat.


“I hadn’t thought of selling the company. This question actually challenges me to think about how I can refine the model to build cash flow for generations to come. I’d like that.”

It’s a powerful reflective pause — one that now opens new paths for strategic growth and generational impact. We're excited to continue supporting Latoya’s journey and see where this intentional planning leads.


Still, like many entrepreneurs, some of her toughest lessons to date have come from experience:


“I need solid contracts for onboarding new tenants — and enforcement when breached. That’s disrupted cash flow and left money on the table for me.”

The lesson? Paperwork protects your peace. And your pockets.


This is the true dance of the entrepreneur — vacillating between future and present. Shaping visions and tackling the task lists. Handling the contractual structure of the business today can absolutely protect longevity and wealth accumulation for the future caretakers of the business.



Final Words of Wisdom


Latoya leaves us with a beautiful, paradigm-shifting perspective:

“Look at money as an energy to be channeled, cultivated, and regulated — not as a trophy for success. That mindset helps you stay financially grounded. And it opens space to get creative about how you fund an idea.”

These words flow effortlessly from a woman who builds portals of sanctuary for creatives to inhabit. Money is energy, and we can wield it in ways that serve our greatest purpose.


It doesn’t have to be our primary motivator to hold formidable power in our lives. We can shape when, how, and why we want to leverage its utility — for money, in and of itself, is not the prize.


Thank you for that grounding reminder, Latoya. We thank you for sharing your (money) story.



Connect with Latoya & One Union Studios



About This Feature


Stay connected to more stories like Latoya’s by exploring our Entrepreneur Spotlight Series — where we're celebrating the real financial journeys of business owners in our community, one story at a time.


🤎 This feature is part of Blaze Group’s Black Business Month 'Tell Your (Money) Story' initiative. Additionally, in partnership with our friends at Black Woman Owned, we #DoubleTheExposure by sharing women's stories throughout the month.




Have a story of your own? Let’s share it this Black Business Month!



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