Community Highlights: Meet Shemitria Smith of The Visionary Associates

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shemitria Smith.

Hi Shemitria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started this journey kicking and screaming while also nodding my head saying, “Yes, God. Ok, God. I don’t know God but because I believe you are directing my path, I will walk in the unknown.” I have to start this conversation of this journey off about God, because it is only because of God that I am able to tell this story and continue to write this journey. He has guided me to this exact moment. I am who I am and have been who I am my whole life – which is just simply love. God has allowed people to really come into my life and speak and give answer and confirmation to the questions and unanswered prayers that I really didn’t have an answer for. I have always been the calm person in the room. The one who will look at the problem, hear all the sides and then focus on what the solution can be while addressing the need to know the importance to be seen, felt and heard…to be valued. We each have a gift and a responsibility to know that we are amazing…even despite what life has thrown at us… we just have to get back up, dust it off and try again….with our amazing selves! It was about 6 or 7 years ago, I was having just a “free session” (I know now…lol) with a colleague and he said to me, “Have you ever thought about being a life coach?” And for me, that finally was the missing piece of the puzzle that finally made sense. I had went to school and obtained my Masters in Education because what I thought I wanted to be a teacher of was not at all the reality I knew would be my reality and it just didn’t make sense but when he said it, it was like yes. And I didn’t really have a real clue of what a life coach was but the more I researched, it was exactly what I had been training for by living through my whole life. To be kind, to smile, to ask someone how they are and really mean it, to let someone know they can be great and help them get there by allowing them to work on and pull out their own greatness. After going to school and getting certified to become a Master Life Coach, The Visionary Associates was born in 2020 and just celebrated its 6th year in business this August. I knew it was more than just saying you were amazing – it was knowing you were amazing by having your mind and body and spirit in agreement and alignment. By focusing on all, you can begin to know that your dreams don’t have to be a dream, that they can truly become a reality. I created my first vision board in April 2017 when I was living in one of my “valleys” and I honestly can’t remember what drawn me to create one in the first place (divine intervention) but I do remember that when I did put it together it represented everything that I didn’t feel at the time in my situation but looking at it and choosing the words and finding the images that brought reality to the visions that were in my mind, instilled in me that it was possible. It instilled in me that somewhere along the line, I have to remember that God is amazing who created somebody amazing to create something amazing. I try to live in the find the positive in everyday atmosphere – what is within my control, which is very little. I have had the privilege to have an amazing mentor who is always striving and showing me just how great we can be. I push hard for my mother because she has worked so hard for me and my sister so its important that I know that I am amazing for her. Life hasn’t always been peaches and cream but it definitely has taught me about how to embrace the warrior within and just do it anyway!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road but some of the bumps in the road are good foundational bumps to have as you set the foundation for what you are building. A huge struggle has been getting people to want to embrace the idea to use “visualization” in a creative way such as cutting pictures or meditating because we need to allow our brain to stop and “listen” and not just be on go. It has been asking people to think differently and understand that a life “coach” can really be no different from our favorite sports team “coach” who is simply trying to help each person grow and strengthen and become independently aware of their greatness that it is seen in actionable realities. Financially, The Visionary Associates has not reached the level where it is in the red and self-sustaining, I can say that I have invested a lot of personal money into making this business a reality but I am sincere in purpose and intent that this business is a needed service that is truly transformative in how we think, act and move if embraced wholeheartedly.

One of the biggest struggles in the beginning was moving out of my own way. For so many years, I wore the cape “Introverted’ like a proud Superman cape. My dear friends gave me gifts that put my “Introvert” loud and proud on display. And God let me know right off, that moving in this purpose and having that characteristic was not going to mix…so I had to let it go. Not that I am a extrovert, but more so, I can be in the room – and have the conversation…and have the dance…

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Visionary Associates was built on a simple belief: your dream should not just remain a dream. We are a personal development and empowerment company dedicated to helping individuals and organizations gain clarity, build confidence, and take intentional action toward their goals.

We specialize in Life and Goal Success Coaching, Vision Board Workshops, the Positivity Possession Course – a 4-week course that teaches people how to be more positive by not only embracing what could be right, but also acknowledging what is holding us back, empowerment tools such as our Gratitude Journal, Vision Board Planner or Sermon Message Journal, and HeadStrong Teams: A Corporate Mental Wellness Program for businesses and corporations. Our approach goes beyond motivation. We combine encouragement with practical strategies, accountability, self-awareness, and actionable next steps. I am also the author of Flip the Script: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life – Learning to Lead with a Lifestyle of Positive Thinking. We also have Empowerment Coloring books for children.

What sets The Visionary Associates apart is that we are faith-rooted but inclusive. We create a safe space for people to be honest about where they are while challenging them to grow. We believe transformation happens when inspiration is paired with intention and action.

I am proud of the impact we’ve had through life coaching and Vision Board Workshops, helping people gain greater clarity and confidence while leaving with actionable plans for what comes next. We are also expanding our reach through HeadStrong Teams, which brings a relatable, non-clinical approach to workplace wellness and personal growth.

Beyond The Visionary Associates, I am also one-half of the Empowerment Sistas alongside Coach Kee of Bridge II Purpose Life Coaching. Together, we host transformational summits, empowerment experiences, and created Empowerment Bingo, while also hosting the Positively Powerful Podcast which I encourage you to listen to.

What I am most proud of is that the brand continues to grow while staying true to its purpose: helping people recognize the greatness within themselves and giving them the tools, encouragement, and strategy to do something with it.

The Visionary Associates exists to help turn intention into action—because we believe you should never let YOUR dream, just be A dream.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory is getting out of school for the summertime and asking all of my teachers for their extra papers and during the summer, I would teach my “own class” and pass out the papers. I would set out the chairs like one behind each other and count out papers and tell them to pass them back. I would also teach the class. I knew I wanted to be a teacher so I knew that I wanted to get my degree in Education but after having the opportunity to intern in the field, I knew that was not the area I wanted to be in…but God worked in all out and showed me the other lane that was already there for me.

Pricing:

• Life Coaching – $100 – 1/hr session
• Positivity Possession Course – $100 registration
• Vision Board Workshop – $25/per person
• HeadStrong Corporate Mental Wellness Program – starting at $1495
• Empowerment Coloring Book – $4.99/each

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thevisionaryassociates.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevisionaryassociates/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com › TheVisionaryAssociates
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-visionary-associates
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com › @TheVisionaryAssociates › videos
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-visionary-associates-ellenwood
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/positively-powerful-podcast/id1803276459