Today we’d like to introduce you to Shonda White.
Shonda, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Even as a young girl, I always had a passion to encourage and uplift women and I always saw myself writing and speaking in front of crowds and motivating others. I considered myself a natural-born leader because no matter the position was growing up, I was it – from class president, drum major, mentor, to my Sorority’s chapter president in college. My best friend will even tell you that I told her when we were younger “I’m going to write a book one day to help women.” Growing up in a single-parent home and seeing my mom work as hard as she did, it developed a strength and “goal-getter” attitude within me. I was constantly surrounded by women who were willing to go above and beyond to make things work. Later as a teen, and especially during my college years, I found myself searching and obsessing over relationships in an attempt to fill a void… the void of not having my biological father in my life. I made a lot of mistakes along the way, but I learned so much about myself and the importance of truly learning to love yourself.
Despite some of the personal things I went through, I knew I wasn’t alone. I knew there were so many other women like me who, at some point, had lost their way and were so consumed with trying to find the one that they ended up losing themselves. I knew that part of my purpose was to tell my story and help encourage others who were experiencing what I had already been through as a black woman; who, based on the statistics back then, was considered someone who had little to no chance of achieving dreams and goals because of where I came from and because I was the product of a single-parent home. Hence, I knew it was my responsibility to encourage and empower women through life and love real talk. I wanted women to know that they’re not alone and we share similar experiences, and often times just knowing that is what can help begin the healing and growth process in our lives.
In 2006, I moved from Kentucky to Atlanta. Atlanta, for me, had always been a part of my dream because whenever I visited the city, even as a young girl, I saw so many people who looked like me and who were doing so many great and successful things. I came here with a goal in mind of what I wanted to do and what I wanted to accomplish. In that same year, totally unexpectedly, I met the love of my life and I started working on my first book and launched my first blog. Things were starting to pick up in terms of my personal goals, then we got married in 2008, but just like that my husband was laid off due to the recession. Needless to say, we had to unexpectedly pack up and move to a different state where we didn’t have a lot of family, hardly any friend; not to mention we were dealing with grief and the loss of our loved ones, and the first year of marriage.
From 2010 to basically 2012, I went through a really dark and depressed time. The first six months to a year were the most difficult. I don’t even know how my husband was able to deal with me like that for so long. I was just so frustrated with the direction my life was going in because besides being happily married, everything else about it was so completely different from the plans I had prayed about – the grieving, the financial strain, the growing pains of marriage, the unfamiliar territory, etc. I was like, “Lord, this isn’t what you showed me. This isn’t what I prayed about.” So, I basically gave up. I stopped blogging, stopped writing, and that was it.
Then, around 2012 and 2013, I started changing my attitude and realized that I couldn’t let my present circumstances keep me from the destiny that I knew God had for me. We started praying more and my husband kept telling me, “We’re getting back to Atlanta. We’re moving back. Trust God.” So, I did. I kept trusting and I kept praying, and we moved back around Spring/Summer 2013. When I got back, both of us was grieving again because we our last living grandparents. Nevertheless, I set a goal for myself and I said by December 2013, I was going to re-launch my blog and start writing again. I stopped having a pity party and I started making plans. I re-launched my blog on December 1, 2013, and haven’t looked back since. I knew I had a voice, and even though I wasn’t sure who all wanted or cared to hear it, I knew someone needed to hear it. I hardly had any followers even though I felt like what I was writing about was relevant and valuable.
In 2015, I heard and read about Necole and her re-brand, xoNecole (formerly Necole Bitchie), and it spoke to me unlike anything else because at the time, I was feeling so insecure about my writing and my voice. I remember her saying “If I’m not relevant for the right reasons, I’d rather not be relevant at all.” It confirmed for me that I was on the right path because I was following my purpose and staying true to who I was. So, when she launched her new brand, I kept telling myself “I want to write for her site one day” because her audience matched the type of woman I wanted to reach and I knew my stories and topics could fit well with her audience. I let some time go by – mainly because I was afraid that I wasn’t a “good enough writer,” but because I was also focused on updating my website/blog, and I was working on new book ideas.
Finally, in September 2015, I decided to pitch some articles to her and she liked them. Then, around November 2015 I pitched and wrote some more, and by December 2015 one of my blog posts on her site went viral with more than 70,000 shares – “Don’t Be a Wife to A Boyfriend: 10 Lessons I Learned When I Was Single.” Up until this point, I had another idea in my head for my next book, but I quickly realized that THIS was the book. I had a voice, I had a message. This was what my audience wanted and needed to hear, and I was going to be the one to give it to them.
By January 2016, I was re-branding my site and writing my book ALL while working full-time as a marketing strategist. I tried pitching my book to multiple agents and publishers, but nothing happened. I was determined though, and this time I was more prepared to self-publish again especially since I had learned so much since the first time I did it. In June 2016, I released Don’t Be a Wife… and almost instantly, it reached “best new release” and “bestseller” status within the first week.
During 2016 and much of 2017, I invested every dollar I made from book sales and royalties, and even a lot of what I was making from my marketing nine-to-five, back into my side-business. I was doing book signings, events, speaking engagements, and advertising on social media back-to-back…and thanks be to God, I’m still getting booked. I was featured on multiple podcasts and shows including ESSENCE Live and the Rickey Smiley Show thanks to so many who supported me from day one even before I was on any national platform. Then, I published another book/devotional in late 2017 (Find the Good in Goodbye), and now I’m working on a scripted television show.
Once I pushed through the fear and owned my voice and my purpose, that’s when doors started to open. God made it clear to me that I was on the right path. Ultimately, my goal is that women will realize there is someone they can relate to, their experiences and emotions are valid, and more importantly, their hopes and dreams can come to fruition despite what may have happened in the past. It took me awhile to realize this but now I can help other women understand and see that there is purpose in your pain, and there is power in your purpose. As I like to say: you can have an ugly past, but still have a beautiful future. Now, I’m able to – and have been afforded the opportunity on multiple occasions, national and international platforms – to share my experiences with women across the world – through my books, radio and TV appearances, through my blog, as a certified life coach, and as a speaker.
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?
The road has, and is not always easy. Doing things that are out of your comfort zone will often make others feel uncomfortable. Hence, not only do you have to worry about the “dream killers” who will convince you that you’re dreaming too big, but you have to constantly battle self-doubt and fear. That’s the hardest part of it all. Real talk –it’s easier to ignore the outside voices sometimes than it is the internal voices and demons that try to defeat you. Everyday I have to push through the fear and tell myself, “You are capable. You are enough. God has placed everything inside of you that you need to do what He has called you to do.” I love the quote that says, “Trust your dopeness.” We, especially as black women, have to constantly remind ourselves that we are valuable, talented, and gifted in a world that makes us seem less than.
For young women who are just starting your journey: 1) Stay true to your voice and who you are. I realize I’m not for everybody, but there is usually someone who can relate to your experiences. 2) Trust that there is enough space for you to shine and you don’t have to dim someone else’s light just so you can shine, 3) Create a vision board and even an affirmation board to remind you of the gifts, talents, and vision that God has placed inside of you. He didn’t give you that dream just to sleep on it, 4) Celebrate your wins along the way – even what may seem small. You have to celebrate any positive movement and progress for those days when it will seem like nothing is happening as fast or as you imagined it would, 5) Stay consistent. Consistency builds discipline. Be consistent even when others aren’t watching, 6) Move in silence. You don’t have to tell everybody everything. Sometimes, it’s better to show and prove, 7) Set minor goals and big goals so you have a clear vision of where you’re going and what it will take to get there. This will also help keep you on track as you’re working towards the next thing, 8) Don’t compare your journey to others. Comparison kills confidence, and your journey won’t be like everyone else’s. Remember, just because it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean it won’t, so stay the course, 9) Whatever you do, don’t do it for the fame or the money. Do it because you love it and that’s what you feel led to do, 10) Lastly, but most importantly, keep God first and watch everything else fall into place. Do your part and watch God do the rest? Trust his timing and trust that He hears your prayers (it’s hard, but it’s necessary).
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Shonda Brown White – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am known for bringing that “real talk” but in a loving and genuine way. I am an advocate for healthy and happy relationships so I write about life and love including dating, marriage, etc., and I’m invited to speak on related topics. I love meeting new women and sharing experiences. I provide coaching services for clients who are seeking a life coach and need help or guidance as it relates to life and love. I also specialize in marketing (specifically branding). I am a Marketing Professional (graduated with a BS in Marketing from the University of Louisville and more recently completed a certification in Digital Media and Marketing from Duke University). I currently work as a Brand Marketing Strategist for a multi-billion-dollar company. So, I provide coaching services as well for those who are interested in marketing or self-publishing.
I am most proud whenever a young woman comes up to me or messages me and says, “I feel like you wrote my story. Thank you for helping me through this period in my life. I am better now because you helped me.” At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about – not the fame, not the money, but touching and impacting lives.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
Considering the wage gap and challenges that we as women face (and there’s still room for improvement without a doubt), it is a great time for us to own businesses and find a way to show up and show out in so many areas. We see it so much now with creators and owners like Issa Rae, Shonda Rhimes, Ava Duvernay, Michelle Obama, Tomi Adeyemi, Lena Waithe, and of course Oprah and Beyonce. It’s not just in entertainment. Look at Bozoma Saint John – she’s making major moves in corporate America, and showing everyone that we can be ourselves and we can be leaders and do it well. We’ve been doing it. We are creating our own spaces, our own content, and our own opportunities. When we do this, we open the door for so many more women as well.
Pricing:
- Don’t Be A Wife To A Boyfriend: 10 Lessons I Learned When I Was Single (print or digital) – $13.99 and $9.99
- Find the Good in Goodbye: Daily Inspiration for Dealing with a Breakup (eBook)- $5.99
- One-on-One Life Coaching Sessions starting at $75
Contact Info:
- Website: ShondaBrownWhite.com
- Email: shondabwhite@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shondabwhite/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifeandloveshondabrownwhite/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/shondabwhite
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
