Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Shawndra Blue of Midtown

Shawndra Blue shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Shawndra, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something outside of work that is bringing me joy lately is exploring different cities & places within my own city. Being intentional about finding beauty in my surroundings makes my heart happy. From the vibe of a cozy coffee shop, to the vibrant colors of street art, to the splendor of God’s handiwork within nature…all of it brings me joy.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am the creative force behind a unique sip and paint experience. It’s not your average sip & paint. At The Canvas Bar, we blend art therapy with creativity, conversation, & community. Each session encourages goal-setting, optimism, & self-expression — all while creating something beautiful. This is the heart of The Canvas Bar & I am committed to bringing as many people together to experience what I offer, if for nothing more than a moment to release & breathe. I am currently working on growing my business to include traveling with it both domestically & internationally.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
What I believed about myself as a child is that I had to grow up according to antiquated, societal standards…that I had to get a four year degree to be successful. That I had to get a fancy job with a title. That I had to get married, buy a home, have children by a certain age, & settle comfortably into the roles of wife & mother. That I had to work at one job for thirty plus years, then retire after I barely have any life left to live. I no longer believe that. I believe one’s life can & should be as unconventional & evolutionary as one desires it to be.

When did you last change your mind about something important?
I was supposed to get married in 2017. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I changed my mind & I can honestly say I have no regrets for doing so. That one decision changed the trajectory of my entire life. I changed careers, I changed my surroundings, & I launched my business. I took the time to heal along the way. Was it easy? Absolutely not! Was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY YES! There’s nothing wrong with changing your mind. You never know what’s going to be on the other side of it. It may be something really worthwhile.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
I rely on my adult children’s ideas most. All four of them are entrepreneurs & genuinely solid people. I keenly observe the ways in which they do life & business. I gain a lot of knowledge & inspiration from each of them respectively.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope the story people tell about me includes honest statements like…
She didn’t have much (I love minimalism), but she made the most of what she had.
She did the best she could with what she knew at the time while raising her children.
She lived in color & outside of the lines.
She inspired others to be authentic & transparent, not only through The Canvas Bar, but in real life.
She was simply a good person.
The end.

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• Instagram: Instagram/thecanvasbar