Today we’d like to introduce you to Walter Shields.
Hi Walter, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hello VoyageATL Community, my name is Walter L. Shields. I was born in West Point, MS. I moved to Atlanta in 2007 after almost 10 years in the United States Navy. I started college soon there after majoring in Computer Information System. I’m still in the field but it is very competitive and requires continuing education. Don’t get me wrong I’m proud that I’ve come this far in the IT field and I’ve dedicated 12-14 years of my existence to this field. My enthusiasm waned working for a company that did not appreciate their employees. Due to this experience, I started my entrepreneurial journey in 2019. I wanted a way to free myself from the constraints of my everyday work life. A friend presented me with a business concept, I took off with the idea. That concept has helped me with the journey of freeing myself from being an employee to owning two of businesses of my own.
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?
Unfortunately, it has not been a smooth road! The pandemic really hit me hard which caused me to loose a lot of money. Nevertheless, I stuck with it and things are really starting progress with both of my businesses. There were many road blocks in the process as well but persistence, the belief in my abilities, and the knowledge that anything is possible has allowed me to make to where I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Well in this day and age, you have to wear many hats to get anywhere near your goals. During the day, I’m an Application Support Engineer but I also own two businesses at the moment. LJTT All Terrain Trains and Shields’ Vending Services, those two are my proudest accomplishments. I’ve been an entrepreneur for about 4 years. LJTT All Terrain Trains was my first business which caters to the children’s entertainment market. I provide fun train rides for children and adults at birthday parties, festivals, fairs, and any other social event that requests booking. It’s very entertaining for my customers! Shields Vending Services is a company that provides vending services to companies who request a free vending machine or other vending services to accommodate their employees. We can place any type of vending machine requested by a site, for example: soda machines, snack machines, and personal protective equipment machines for masks and gloves are some of the examples of the types of machines we provide. What sets me apart from others is my work ethic. I work very hard to provide the best service possible from all aspects of my businesses. At the end of the day, I do this for the money but I don’t make it about the money, especially when it comes to customers. My priority is providing the highest quality of customer service.
How do you define success?
I define success by being fulfilled in whatever you do. I think everyone’s definition should be specific to who you are as a person and mine is living a fulfilled life.
Pricing:
- 2 Hour All Terrain Events starts at $399
Contact Info:
- Email: ljttallterraintrains@gmail.com
- Website: ljttallterraintrains.com shieldsatlantavending.com
- Instagram: @ljtt_all_terrain_trains
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllTerrainTrain
- Other: shieldsvendingservices@gmail.com
