Today we’d like to introduce you to Shay Gosha Brown.
Shay, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Katshalliam E. Gosha-Brown (yes, it’s a mouthful with such profound meaning) but known as “Shallia” or “Shay” for short, The youngest daughter of Bessie “Kate” Rutledge Florence and The Late William Gosha. Born and Raised in a small town in Alabama called Phenix City (no O in the Phenix of course). Just a Small Town Girl who always held Big City Dreams.
My father passed away when I was 13 years old therefore, I was raised by my mother along with my older siblings Jaspconia, Harveta, and Larry. Through their rearing, I learned early on a Strong Work Ethic, an Undying Faith, Relentless Service to help others & my first glimpse at Entrepreneurship. My Mother always instilled in me the importance of obtaining a Good Education throughout my entire life. At the age of 18 years old, I became a first-time homeowner by purchasing a home for my mom, this set the tone for me to understand the importance of Financial Stability. At the age of 19, I began working for one of the Largest Fortune 500 Companies located right in my neighboring city of Columbus, Georgia. During my decade tenure as an “Employee”, Continuing to follow my Mother’s Guidance I obtained my Associate’s Degree from Columbus State University, then my Bachelor of Science Degree from Columbus State University. I was well on my way to completing my MBA when I realized after 10+ years within the Corporate America arena in the areas of Financial Control & Management, Public Accounting, Cost Accounting, Cash Management, Financial Analysis, Forecasting, Internal Audit, Staff & Project Management, Bank Reconciliations, Accounts Payable, National and Federal Accounts, Customer, Client, Policy, & Benefit Services. My Degrees, Proven Knowledge & my dedication as an employee was not going to get me to where I envisioned myself. This was not going to be my Final Destination of Abundant Wealth and Freedom I desired for my Family. Therefore, With the support of my mother & Guidance of my sister Harveta who had been self-employed for over 20 years, I branched into the world of Entrepreneurship myself.
Initially, to get my feet wet, I became a Licensed Real Estate Agent in 2008 (2008 yes, Exactly at the very year of the housing and banking crisis) I felt a sense of defeat yet two years later, I launched my own Tax Preparation & Resolution Company known as K.E. Tax Services and Solutions LLC which also included my own Tax Instruction Academy along with my 1st published Tax Instruction Playbook also offering Notary Services for Alabama State at Large. At this time, I also founded the Non-Profit Organizations of K.E. Cares (formerly K.E. Development Group) & Co-Founder of Flo Foundation Inc, in which I hosted annual Charity Events for over 8 years known as “A Night To Shine” which shed light on community heroes suffering from health disparities and donating to select charities to include Sickle Cell Association of Tuskegee, Lupus Foundation of America- Mid-South Chapter, UNCF, The Chris Draft Foundation, West Georgia Cancer Coalition, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Open Door Community Center, Larry K. Florence Youth Basketball Camp, YMCA Youth Basketball League Montgomery, Alabama, Davis Broadcasting Children’s Christmas Fund, Muscogee Manor & Rehabilitation Center. I, at that time also became a Columbus State University Outreach Center Instructor, Accounting Instructor of Virginia College, Owner of House of Belize’ Boutique & Showroom, and most recently the Visionary behind my newest Organization of “Girls with Goals” catering to aspiring and significant women in the community.
My road of being Self Employed became somewhat tiresome, being a wife and mother of three young children at that time, I in a sense was trading Time for Money operating my businesses for 12+ hours a day at times because being Self Employed, there are no sick days, there are no “vacation days” if you are not actively and personally involved in your Business your income is affected. The Lord heard my cry for an easier way to create the life I desired so what seemed to be such a simple, impulsive decision to simply add an additional stream of income blossomed into my current role as a True Business Owner in which I am creating Ownership, Passive Income, and Generational Wealth. In 2019, I started as a Licensed Insurance Agent in which less than 12 months I became a Regional Vice President for one of the Largest Independent Financial Services Company in North America creating a platform & recruiting over 500 Independent Agents.
I am a 35-year member of Pine Hill Missionary Baptist Church & Founding Charter Member of Phenix City’s 1st Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc Sorority Alpha Beta Omicron Omega Chapter. National Association of Tax Consultants, National Society of Tax Professionals, American Notaries Association, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., River Valley Black Chamber of Commerce, Virginia College Advisory Board Member, Columbus State and then my Bachelor of Science Degree from Troy State University Alumni Member, and introduced as 1 of 5 Rising Stars in The Columbus and The Valley Magazine October 2012 Issue. A Former Member of The Young Professionals of Greater Columbus Georgia, National Association of Realtors, Phenix City Board of Realtors, Better Business Bureau, and Phenix City Russell County Chamber of Commerce.
I am the loving wife of Mr. Khourtney J. Brown and the devoted mother to 20-year-old Kobe Kurlaireski’, 14-year-old Katelyn Anari’, and 12 years old Brookelyn Johanna.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Nowhere near Smooth. The road less traveled will never be Smooth but will be the Most Rewarding. I have hit so many bumps, twists, turns, and challenges over the past 23 years of “Figuring This Thing Out” and transitioning from Employee to Self Employed to Business Owner that I truly have lost count but Never Lost Faith. Stay Faithful and God has a Gift for you, Fearing Nothing and Staying in God is my refuge against any Struggle or adversity. As an Entrepreneur and Business Owner, you face Doubt, Fear, Skepticism, Ridicule, Indecisiveness, Work Life & Family Balance, just to name a few.
On January 7, 2014, During the Prime of my Entrepreneur Journey, I stood in a hospital room alongside the bed of the most influential & supportive being in my world, My brother, Larry and heard the infamous words of “You have Cancer Larry” at only 37 years old diagnosed with such a rare blood cancer of the plasma cells, Multiple Myeloma in which had attacked his entire body in a matter of months. The report was debilitating & heartbreaking, the options were few, the future seemed hopeless, yet the best soldiers are picked for the strongest battles which coined our newest mission of Larry Strong shared and branded today all over social media because Larry defied the odds and to this day he is thriving, surviving, and contributing to his community like never before. A True Definition of God’s Promise & Favor of my Bloodline.
The Enemy’s job is never complete though. On August 18, 2018 at 12:11am I had no idea this would be the last time I heard My “She-ro”, My Biggest Supporter, My Lifeline, My Mother’s voice for what has been as of now the last time. On that morning, my mother was unable to be awakened from what appeared to be a normal night’s rest. She was then declared as being in a comatose state in which she remains to this day due to an unexplained medical trauma with little to no brain function requiring 24-hour care, but the joy in it all is GOD allowed me to be placed on a journey outside of Corporate America to be there for my family when they needed me most without having the parameters of being an undervalued employee. God aligned my life long before I knew what I would face.
So talk about struggles, How do I push and encourage myself without being able to receive the wisdom of my Mother who has always been influential and a pivotal person in my Professional Life over the past 20 years. EASY, I persevere with the strength of the Warrior my mother is and has instilled in me throughout my life along with the Faith, Family, and Favor that is within my life.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in a multitude of areas, including Federal & State Tax Preparation, Tax Resolution, Tax Instruction, Notary Services, Life Insurance Sales, Business Coaching, Mentorship, and Philanthropy Services.
My Ancestors did the absolute best they could with the financial knowledge they had so As a Regional Vice President within a Top Financial Services Company, I fill in the Financial Gaps missed in past generations. I help individuals Make, Save, and Accumulate Money. I also educate individuals and families on the importance of Financial Services, as well as introduce Time and Financial Freedom to those in search of wanting more than any other place can offer them by leaving a legacy and building generational wealth that being an employee can’t bring.
In my other arenas, I am most Proud of being an advocate in my community, an Entrepreneur, a True Business Owner being recognized in the most significant ways such as this. My Love for helping and providing service to others is my focus. I use my platform, my experiences, my avenues to manifest in the crusade I am on to enrich the lives of everyone I encounter. It’s not where you are going but it’s who are you taking with you. The goal is always bigger than us.
I am Most Proud that I have never allowed the enemy to detour or defeat me. I have sustained my integrity, held my head high, pushed through the storm and rain and Trusted in GOD throughout every adversity I have endured. Never looking like Nothing I have been through,
What sets me apart is my drive is unstoppable. Perseverance at its finest. I will never give up or stop fighting my way in rooms statistically we do not think we belong in. I am blessed to be in rooms I never imagined from a town so small I have to repeat it twice and no one still knows where it’s located. I give my ALL because I never want to be the one where we Have so Little when the World offers so much. I inspire, uplift, and pour into everyone I encounter with the purest heart.
What’s next?
My plans for the Future consist of GROWTH. My future consists of continuing to Build Wealth for Generations to Come. I will be the 1 that changes the direction of my bloodline to abundance and wealth. I am looking forward to enjoying the Fruits of my labor, watching my harvest, & making my children Proud.
Most recently, I added Author to my bio, I definitely plan on expanding and writing more self-help guides and personal journeys in the future. My Plans consist quite naturally of bringing more events to my community because I love planning Brunches, Lunches, Seminars and anywhere we can “get cute” for a cause (smile) but Seriously, I plan to take my businesses globally. I have a few things in the works so stay tuned.
Pricing:
- Tax Academy $399
- Tax PlayBook $99
- EntrepreneuHer Bundles starting at $350
Contact Info:
- Instagram: ItsShayBrown and KETaxes and ShopHouseofBelize
- Facebook: Girls with Goals and House of BelizeBoutique and Showroom LLC and KETaxes
Image Credits:
All Pics Photographed by: Delontaye Taylor Girls with Goals Pics: Len Greene
