Daily Inspiration: Meet James Shannon

Today we’d like to introduce you to James Shannon.

Hi James, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey in Atlanta began on May 1, 2021. I moved here from Southwest Florida during COVID knowing no one, without a job, and without ever having visited the city.

I quickly got a job delivering pizza’s on the weekends and temping at apartment communities in the Southside of the Metro Atlanta. That led to a career in property management, where I advanced quickly from leasing consultant to property manager in about two and a half years. I worked across the metro area, from Jonesboro to Buckhead, gaining firsthand experience in operations, leadership, and people management.

As the city reopened post-COVID, I immersed myself in Atlanta—attending events, festivals, lounges, and professional gatherings to understand the culture, the people, and where I fit. I joined organizations like the Atlanta Black Chambers, Young Professionals of Atlanta, and Network of Atlanta, going from knowing no one to building meaningful friendships, professional relationships, and a deep appreciation for the city’s ecosystem.

After reaching my goal in property management, I transitioned into bank security with Chase Bank. During that time, I founded my own business networking group, The Local Connective, out of frustration with traditional networking events that felt unproductive and unprofessional. I wanted to create curated experiences where serious professionals could build real relationships, create opportunities, and do business with intention.

By the end of 2024, leveraging my professional background and growing network, I joined The Commerce Club—the oldest private business club in Atlanta—as Director of Membership. That role expanded my impact across the business community and allowed me to formally launch my consulting work.

Today, I help businesses, nonprofits, and organizations build strategic relationships that drive growth through intentional access, alignment, and resources. Connecting people has always been my strength—now it’s the work I get to do every day.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Ha, the road has been everything but smooth! The journey has challenged me more internally than externally—working through limiting beliefs, insecurity, imposter syndrome, rejection, and the discomfort that naturally comes with growth. Looking back, I can clearly see God’s hand in my life, even during seasons when I didn’t recognize it in the moment.

One of the earliest challenges was moving to a city where I knew no one. It was lonely at times, and building community as an adult isn’t easy. There was a lot of uncertainty early on, but I addressed it intentionally. I wrote out the life and relationships I wanted to build and took action regardless of how uncomfortable it felt. Showing up to events alone was intimidating at first, but my desire for community outweighed the fear. Over time, that discomfort turned into confidence and independence.

Another significant challenge came when I joined The Commerce Club. Despite having the skills for the role, I initially struggled with imposter syndrome. The club’s environment—filled with C-suite executives, political leaders, and long-established business figures—can feel intimidating if you haven’t been in spaces like that before. It took time for my identity to fully catch up with my capability. Eventually, I realized I didn’t need to prove myself—I belonged. That shift allowed me to show up with confidence and focus on making meaningful impact within the Atlanta business community.

That process shaped who I am today. It built grit, resilience, and a deep respect for the growth process itself. It also strengthened my desire to help others navigate business, relationships, and leadership with clarity and intention. I’ve learned that growth isn’t something to rush or resist—it’s something to accept, work through, and use as fuel to create opportunities not just for yourself, but for others as well.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work at the intersection of business development, community building, and strategic relationships. My focus is helping business owners, professionals, and organizations grow by being more intentional about how they build, structure, and leverage relationships for real results.

I specialize in creating curated experiences, strategic partnerships, and relationship frameworks that connect the right people at the right time for the right reasons. I spot opportunities others miss, bringing together people who wouldn’t normally meet, and turn connections into tangible business and community impact. Alongside my consulting work, I’ve led membership growth and partnership initiatives for various organizations in Atlanta, helping them expand their reach, relevance, and revenue through experience-driven programming.

What I’m most proud of is building trust across very different worlds—entrepreneurs, executives, creatives, civic leaders and more by creating spaces where meaningful collaboration actually happens. I’ve consistently been able to take ideas, relationships, and limited resources and turn them into scalable programs, events, and partnerships that produce measurable results. One of my most fulfilling partnerships resulted in over $20,000 in additional revenue from one opportunity.

What sets me apart is my approach. I don’t treat relationships as transactional or purely social, I blend them and I treat them as infrastructure. I focus on preparation, alignment, and long-term value creation, which allows the people and organizations I work with to grow more intentionally and sustainably.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I see a major recalibration happening across work, business, and relationships. Widespread burnout, role fatigue, and ongoing layoffs are forcing people to reevaluate not just what they do, but why they do it. As a result, more professionals will pivot either into new industries, more flexible roles, or entrepreneurial paths that better align with their values and desired quality of life.

From a relationship and business development standpoint, I see a clear shift away from broad, surface-level networking toward smaller, more intentional and highly curated groups. People will be more selective with who they spend time with, but those relationships will matter more than ever. Trust, alignment, and shared values will outweigh sheer reach or volume.

In business, relationships will become even more valuable and be seen as leverage. Helping to open doors to opportunities, partnerships, and information that isn’t accessible through traditional channels. The professionals and organizations that invest in fewer but deeper relationships, and who approach them with strategy and clarity, will be the ones best positioned to adapt and grow in the next decade.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Iamjamesshannon.com or www.thenetworkingplug.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjamesshannon/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamjamesshannon