We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sheana Kizer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sheana, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.
My parents are hands down, the best parents on the planet. Words can not describe how amazing these people are. I love my parents the mostest!!! And yes, the “mostest” but that’s just it, they’re beyond words. The most giving, welcoming, accepting people I’ve ever met; strong, smart, determined, firm, tough, motivating…they’re everything great. A parent’s job is to equip you for life and from the very beginning my parents started equipping me for the ups and downs of life. From the funniest unorthodox emergency drills to seeing them help others without prejudice. Both found success as entrepreneurs in their own way. My dad was the owner of All Around Cleaning Service for over 10 years and my mother owned and operated a successful non-emergency medical transportation company for many years. They’ve demonstrated great work ethics, leadership skills, & and an authentic willingness to help. There’s no greater impact in life than parents, I’m extremely blessed and grateful to have been born and raised by such greatness.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
We’ve all heard the saying “it takes a village” of which I am I’m a true believer. At some point in a child’s life, most likely during their teenage years; the child will face decisions they refuse to discuss with their parents. In such times, they need a trusted adult they can work through things with; that person for me was a close cousin (turned sister). In return I wanted to be that light in the lives of others. Ironically enough, people have always found it easy to open up to me; sharing various parts of their lives. Being a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, and offering more than one viewpoint is a big part of my DNA. After I graduated from college, I noticed an increase in young ladies drawn to me for advise, prayer, and almost everything in between. From this, Jewels Mentoring Program was launched in 2013. Jewels Mentoring Program has since been welcomed into schools and churches in surrounding communities. Mentors are great assets to a child’s growth and development; they’re a key staple in the “village”. I realized my my true impact after one of my former mentees (now in her 20s) messaged me saying how much I helped her navigate through her teenage years and how grateful she is for Jewels Mentoring Program. A true testament to our mission “to empower young ladies to live healthy lifestyles through biblical truths and understanding, using practical life learning skill building techniques”. Young Ladies 13-17 yrs old are always welcome and encouraged to join this sisterhood!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
“Success is measured by quantity” was a humbling lesson to unlearn. I’ve never had an idea that wasn’t grand, needless to say I’m an optimist. When I introduced Jewels, I thought hundreds of parents and girls would jump at the chance to be a part of such an amazing program. The exact opposite happened. I started Jewels, mentoring only 4 young ladies, not 2000. In quantity Jewels was a complete failure. The relationships I started building with the 4 young ladies and their parents motivated me to continue. If I continued to measure success by quantity, there’d be no Jewels Mentor Program today; there would be no success stories. “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin” (Zechariah 4:10).
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Word of mouth is the lifeline of businesses, especially for small businesses. We’ve all checked reviews, asked a friend about their experience and even shared bad experience stories. If parents and mentees didn’t share their success stories about Jewels, I wouldn’t have made it past the starting 4 mentees. My part was and remains providing great “customer” services with genuine love; creating an environment that promotes honesty and dedication, seeking out the needs of both parents and mentees, being open to feedback and suggestions, and always going the extra mile. There’s great value in genuinely going the extra mile; not many mentors will hop out of bed at 4am to help look for a run away but I did and parents are appreciative and have shared the story.
Contact Info:
- Website: queenyetflawed.home.bog
- Instagram: queenshe127
- Facebook: Sheana “Queen She” Kizer
Image Credits
Mario Jaurell Photography