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Meet Chanel Spencer of Maximum Evolution

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Chanel Spencer.

Chanel, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a driven person. Looking back, it’s clear, I have always been highly motivated. Even as a child, I was driven to accomplish more. In my mid-twenties, I was juggling three jobs in order to provide for myself and my son; I was an auditor for an amusement park, a client specialist for a clothing store, and a guest service agent for a hotel. I was determined to have a career that provided for more than just our needs. I received a promotion from guest service agent to Accounting Manager.

I had almost four years of experience working as an accounting clerk for a law firm in my late teens. This promotion marked my move into the hospitality industry. During this time, I kept my head down, did my job, learned everything I could, and I prepared myself for the next steps in my career. Being observant, I was able to be prepared for what potential changes might be coming within our company and prepare myself appropriately for the next position available. This strategy led to me being promoted four times, completing two mentor development programs, and finally receiving the promotion I worked for years to obtain General Manager of my own property. Remember when I said I was driven? While working my way up the corporate ladder, I realized I would never be satisfied with my career until I had something of my own to nurture, develop, build, and expand. I learned how to maximize my potential in order to evolve into the person I desired to be; this is how I worked my way up the corporate ladder. I developed Maximum Evolution from the growth I experienced in my personal life because of the continual evolution I had to go through to learn how to prepare for the next potential promotion. I knew the lessons I learned would be able to help people who found themselves unsatisfied with their current position but without the steps needed to help them shift into the life/career/and/or relationship they most desire. Once I knew what Maximum Evolution was going to be, I hustled, burning the candle at both ends.

Finally, I launched Maximum Evolution, a book, branding, and business development company but it still had to take a back seat as my General Manager position demanded my full attention. About six months ago, I realized I needed to take the leap and resign from my full-time career in order to focus on Maximum Evolution. At the end of the day, the choice wasn’t about my career, salary, or my position; the choice was whether I was going to choose me. My entire life, I have worked (overworked) for others. I am proud I have been able to provide for my children but I had to decide that I was worth going after my dreams and no longer fight for a seat at the table but instead build my own. And that is what I did.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Smooth road? I don’t even know what that means. Instead of a smooth paved road, I feel like my journey took place on an abandoned rollercoaster with no breaks and lots of danger. I have faced many obstacles along the way, primarily the work of juggling two small children and a demanding career, all while trying to find time and creative space to develop my own company. I was working eighty to one-hundred hours a week (whether on a property or from home) and still having to organize pick up, drop off’s, meals, activities, and care for my children. As a parent, I battled with guilt because I was sacrificing time with my children in order to provide for them. As a professional, I felt guilty when I was called away for an emergency, task force, or business trips. I have dealt with harassment in the workplace. I was continually undermined and taken advantage of, maybe because I was young or a woman, or a young woman of color. Sometimes I would let the abuse get to me and cry myself to sleep out of pure frustration. Regardless of my feelings or the lack of sleep, I persisted because I knew how many people were counting on me. I felt as if the margin for error was non-existent and the pressure was, at times, debilitating. Eventually, I burned out. I was exhausted, physically, mentally, and emotionally but still pushed through everyday ignoring my needs, putting everything and everyone else first. Through it all, I learned the challenges I faced had a purpose. It exposed my area of opportunity which was self-love, wort, and value. I had to face and overcome those adversities in order to become the person I am today and will be in the future. I had to shift, renew my mindset, understand the area of opportunity and lesson in each challenge. The knowledge I gained was preparing me for my next chapter; full-time CEO.

We’d love to hear more about Maximum Evolution.
Maximum Evolution is a multifaceted platform specializing in branding, executive coaching, as well as business and book development. Maximum Evolution is comprised of years of experience in the corporate world in which I became an expert problem solver and brand developer. I created a business development program that equips innovators with everything they need to launch their dream into a successful business while creating multiple streams of revenue.

After releasing my 6th best-selling book, I combined my passion for writing and business development and launched ME Publishing. Since its launch, my newest project, “Warrior’s Paradigm,” is set to be released this June. Warrior’s Paradigm is a memoir that challenges readers to shift the way they think, see the world while learning how to transform their life, and step into greatness. If you want to have a thriving brand, business, or life for that matter, it is imperative to shift your mindset and realize the warrior within you.

Our goal is to help empower women through transformation and helping to build their business or write their books. Of all the projects I am a part of, I am by far the proudest of my partnership with the Stand 4 Sisterhood and #4core Mentor organization. As a partner to this organization, I will be able to give back to women and children. I am honored that I am able to stand in the gap and help. However, I can.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My future plan is to continue to help to empower women through transformation. I wrote another book Maximum Evolution: 7 steps to transform from victim to warrior. I am a part of three collaborative book projects releasing this year and also the visionary author for my own collaborative project, The Evolution Effect is set to launch this October. I am currently developing my new podcast EVOLV and re-introducing Evolv-U. This will be a platform for women to share their stories of transformation, entrepreneurship, and becoming an author. I will also be developing workshops, masterminds, and online courses. The biggest plan I am excited about is the magazine. It is in the brainstorming phase. I have also developed a company for my children TJ Playworld to start building their legacy. It is in the beginning phase, selling coloring, puzzle, and illustration books.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Kelon Miller

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