Meet LaChandra Palmer of LNQ Lab Services, Llc

Today we’d like to introduce you to LaChandra Palmer

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Absolutely, in 2004 I fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming an elementary school teacher. I was hired rather quickly in an area servicing economically disadvantaged black and brown students on the eastside of Jacksonville. I was young and eager, yet ready to make a change and a difference in the lives of the children placed before me. After only 3 years as a classroom teacher, accomplishments recognized by the Florida Department of Education, and a spotlight feature story on News 4 Jax, I was offered a promotion to become an Instructional Coach. It is with this promotion where I began to fine tune my craft and sharpen the many skills I previously possessed. I spent a total of 17 years between two schools in the role of instructional coach. At that point in my career, I had more than fulfilled the passion of the childhood dream that led me to the profession. Thereafter, my perspective on the profession began to shift. I began to not look through the lens of my passion, yet through the lens of reality. As I began to ascend and surround myself with those in higher positions, I began to see the many complexities that often go unnoticed and overlooked to the untrained eye. Complexities that tend to veer far away from the core of educating children. My leader, who might I add, is the only leader I’ve worked with in my 20-year career, taught me to pay attention to the things like political agendas, education reform, and state legislations and how they can inadvertently affect student achievement.

In short, it became challenging! The demand placed upon educators was at an all-time high! With the unfortunate influx of school shootings, a global pandemic, a change in state standards, and budget shortfalls, “educator burn-out” was real! We were EXHAUSTED!!! I WAS EXHAUSTED! But I loved what I did!

I had come to a point where I felt it was time for a change. But what do I do? What else do I know how to do?  All I know how to do is educate!  The questions then became “How do I monetize the skills that I have?” “How do I transfer the knowledge seamlessly into a different arena and still sustain a life for myself?”

After many conversations with my creator and one random night of scrolling on social media, I came across a post that read “I replaced my trucking dispatch income with DNA Testing” and “bam,” with that simple swipe of my finger, I was intrigued! Intrigued not only by the fact that “said” industry was able to replace the lucrative income of the trucking industry; but also, could this possibly utilize the many skills I possessed?  And just like that, I was introduced to the world of Specimen Collection also known as DNA Testing. Fast forward to 3 months of non-stop 12-hour days; I was trained, certified, and recognized by the state as LNQ (pronounced “Link”) Lab Services, Llc! My new beginning was birthed!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
To say it’s been a smooth road would be an UNDERSTATEMENT!!!!! This process required me in a way that I haven’t experienced in a long time. Although specimen collection did seem to use the skills that I possessed, it was a brand-new experience for me. I’d worked as an educator for 20 years and I knew that like the back of my hand. However, with specimen collection, I knew nothing! Nothing other than what I saw on television, and knowing what I know now, it merely scratches the surface of the depths of this industry.

Considering I possess the characteristics of an overachieving perfectionist, I wanted to know it all. I needed to know it all, and I couldn’t make a move until I felt that I could, without a doubt, speak the language of a specimen collector.  This crippling characteristic led me to question the vision I had for LNQ by constantly immersing myself in the research. Research that was endless, and I had no concept of an “off switch.”

Additionally, I’m a one-woman team! All things LNQ Labs is done by me, from collecting the specimens, to management, office clerk, marketing, tech support, and anything else you could think of is done by me. Keep in mind, I’m still a full-time educator with days ending at 5:30pm. I find myself leaving work to go to work!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
LNQ Lab Services is a Black, Woman Owned Business based in the greater Jacksonville area. Our services are dedicated to making DNA specimen collection easy and accessible for all. At our core, we believe in helping individuals connect with their families, while offering an avenue to some of life’s unanswered questions. At LNQ, we pride ourselves on being committed to ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and ethical practices that our clients can feel comfortable trusting us with their most personal stories. We welcome all to embark on a transformative journey, as we assist in exploring the incredible stories within their DNA, by unlocking the power of science and identity to change their lives.

Some of our most popular services include:

Paternity DNA Test (2-3 Individuals Tested)
The alleged father and child both tested to determine whether he is the biological father.

Sibilingship DNA Test (2-3 Individuals Tested)
Results from this DNA test will determine if two individuals share the same mother or father.

Grandparentage DNA Test (2-3 Individuals Tested)
If the alleged father or mother is unavailable or deceased, their mother or father can test in place of the alleged to determine whether they are the biological grandparents.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Remain steadfast! It is NOT all gumdrops and lollipops!!! Entering a journey of entrepreneurship requires an extensive amount of time and a level of commitment you never knew you possessed. Expect to experience trials, however, allow the trials you experience to serve as lessons and not losses. I encourage anyone looking to enter into entrepreneurship to find a networking community you can rely on to be a sounding board in those moments of doubt because they will appear. Now don’t get me wrong, there are times in entrepreneurship that are amazing and filled with celebrating many accomplishments, yet hindsight has taught me that the valleys, for sure, out-weight the peaks, even when the peaks are plentiful.

Pricing:

• Paternity DNA Test (2-3 Individuals Tested) The alleged father and child both tested to determine whether or not he is the biological father. It is encouraged but not necessary to include the biological mother. Non Legal: $375 Legal: $400
• Grandparentage DNA Test (2-3 Individuals Tested) If the alleged father or mother is unavailable or deceased, their mother or father can test in place of the alleged to determine whether or not they are the biological grandparents. Non Legal: $450 Legal: $475
• Missing Parent DNA Test (3-4 Individuals Tested) If the alleged mother or father is unavailable or deceased, his or her mother AND father as well as 1 child can tested to determine whether or not they are the biological grandparents. Non Legal: $550 Legal: $575
• Sibilingship DNA Test (2-3 Individuals Tested) Results from this DNA test will determine if two individuals share the same mother or father. Non Legal: $450 Legal: $475
• Immigration DNA Testing (2 Individuals Tested) Results from this test will prove biological relationships among individuals for the purpose of naturalization. Legal: $650

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lnqlabs.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lnqlabservices