Story & Lesson Highlights with Shequita Brew of South of the City

Shequita Brew shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Shequita, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Absolutely. This year, I’ve been stretching myself—learning new techniques and diving deeper into my creative process. One of the most rewarding moments came when I finally released a few pieces that were purely passion-driven: one inspired by my faith, and the other rooted in my Georgia pride. I designed, carved, shaped, painted, and finished each one by hand. I wasn’t sure how they’d be received, but both sold—and that made me feel incredibly proud.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Shequita, the creator behind Quita Brew Creates—a veteran-owned, Christ-centered small business that started right out of my garage. I specialize in custom laser-engraved gifts, tumblers, 3D wood art, and heartfelt keepsakes that help people celebrate life’s big and small moments.

My work is deeply personal—many of my pieces are inspired by my faith, my Southern roots, and the joy of turning someone’s vision into something meaningful they can hold. Whether it’s a name, a scripture, or a symbol that carries weight, I love adding those intentional touches that make each piece feel special.

Right now, I’m focused on building collections that reflect that heart—from faith-filled art to designs rooted in local pride. It’s been such a blessing to grow this journey, and I’m honored each time someone invites me to create something for their story.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
For much of my life, I worked hard and pushed forward—chasing achievement for its own sake, without a clear sense of why, other than wanting to “do well.” That mindset made me strong, but it also caused me to carry weight that was never mine to hold. Over time, it hardened me—I became overly business-focused, guarded, and even bitter.

But that version of me has served its purpose. With the gentle encouragement of my husband and a decision to welcome more light-heartedness into my life, I’ve started releasing that need to grind and perform. Now, I feel free to be kind, tenderhearted, and more loving—not just toward others, but also toward myself.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Learn to find the fun don’t burden yourself with those who don’t know how to love you well. Life will never have a shortage of people or events that cause strife and pain but lingering in those areas will only steal precious moments that you simply don’t have to sacrifice. There is still so much beauty and so many reasons to be grateful!

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. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. Running a business can be emotionally and physically draining, and I simply don’t have the energy—or the desire—to pretend. What you see online is me, in all seasons. Some days I’m highly productive, other days I’m volunteering with a local ministry, sometimes I’m in a creative funk, and other times I’m just enjoying the day.

I’m not a machine, and I never want to present myself that way or feed into the idea that the only things that matter are money and constant output. I’m not Walmart or Amazon—I can’t promise two-day turnarounds on hand-painted, hand-stained artwork. But I’m a mom, a wife, a friend, and a woman who values a life well-lived. I want to serve my customers with joy and excellence, not burnout and bitterness.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
People might assume that my main goal is sales or business success—and while I’m incredibly grateful for every order and opportunity, that’s not what truly fuels me. At the core, my desire is to live and create authentically, in a way that reflects God’s heart and brings Him joy.

Whether I’m sharing an inspiring message, creating a piece that helps someone boldly share their faith, or simply showing up online with honesty and love—that’s what matters most to me. I hope people understand that my platform is just as much about Christian encouragement as it is about handcrafted products. I never want to “fit in” at the cost of that calling. If you follow me, you’ll see both—and that balance is intentional, not accidental.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.quitabrewcreates.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quitabrewcreates/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091851425100

Image Credits
non applicable