We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shanay Pringle a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Shanay, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s something crazy on unexpected that’s happened to you or your business

I always tell people that I created the brand *The Pink Elephant by Shanay* without even realizing I was creating a brand. A little backstory: I accepted a new job with a new company only months after having my son—actually, while I was still on maternity leave. Big mistake. Once I started the role, I quickly realized it wasn’t what I expected. I didn’t fit the company culture at all. Needless to say, I was struggling to adjust to a new role, a new company, and finding balance as a new mom of three. I was overwhelmed.

Seeing that I was struggling to find my footing, my manager (who I will always appreciate) suggested I visit the career lab at work to speak with a career counselor and learn more about myself. That visit turned out to be the spark for what is now known as “The Pink Elephant by Shanay”.

Exploring my natural gifts and talents led me to an ugly truth: I didn’t feel passionate about my role because I wasn’t being allowed to be authentically “me”. This realization haunted me every single day as I tried to force myself to fit. It pushed me to start sharing my journey openly on social media and with anyone who would listen. I had no idea that others would connect so deeply with my experiences and my truth. That was the moment I knew I had to create a space for women to be seen and heard in their authentic voices. I told myself, “I cannot be in this role this time next year.”

Fast forward to April 2024: I had just received my best review ever, earned my largest bonus, and finally let go of the imposter syndrome that had weighed me down the year before. To be honest, I had adopted an “IDC” attitude because I was now confident in myself and determined not to let anyone make me feel like I didn’t bring value. But then, shortly after bonuses were deposited, we all received an email: 5% of the company would be laid off.

I was in shock. The company had been performing its best since COVID, and it seemed like things were turning around. The thought of losing my job—especially as an independent woman who had never been unemployed—was terrifying. After a few days of processing, I finally surrendered to the fact that God was in control. This would simply be another chapter in my journey.

A week and a half later, I received an invitation to meet with my manager, who informed me that I was being let go and my employment would end in June. I won’t lie—during that meeting, I felt like I was having an out-of-body experience as I listened to my manager’s rationale and the corporate “script” used in situations like this. But once the meeting ended, I sat at my desk, and a wave of relief washed over me. In that moment, I knew that God was going to “take it from here.”

What makes this story even more bizarre is that, for months before the layoff notice, I had been planning a public event in downtown Charleston, SC, to officially launch my podcast. Earlier that year, I started gaining attention and was accepted into affiliate programs and partnerships with brands and other female entrepreneurs. I had even signed a contract to partner with Palmetto Goodwill for my Pink Soirée launch party, creating content with items from local Goodwill stores. The week I was laid off, I was scheduled to share more about *The Pink Elephant by Shanay* in a radio interview—the day *after* I was told I’d be let go. Bizarre, right?

As I reflected, I remembered the promise I made to myself: “I will not be in this role a year from now.” And now, here I was, no longer in that role.

This is all evidence that God is truly “taking it from here.”

Shanay, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For anyone who may not have come across me before, I’m Shanay Pringle, the creator and host of The Pink Elephant by Shanay, a lifestyle podcast and platform where women—especially moms and busy professionals—can find inspiration, connection, and practical tips for navigating life authentically. My journey into this space wasn’t planned; it emerged organically from my personal experiences and struggles.

A few years ago, I found myself in a career that didn’t align with my true self. I was a new mom, overwhelmed and juggling responsibilities, yet I couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling that I was meant for something different. A suggestion from a supportive manager to explore my natural gifts and talents sparked a journey of self-discovery that led to the creation of The Pink Elephant by Shanay.

Through my platform, I create relatable, impactful content that covers topics like fashion, self-care, personal growth, and navigating motherhood. Whether it’s sharing fall fashion refresh ideas, tips for creating a cozy living space, or honest reflections on balancing work, family, and personal dreams, I aim to provide value and uplift women. My podcast episodes, blog posts, and collaborations with brands are designed to inspire women to show up as their best, most authentic selves.

What sets me apart is my transparency and ability to create community. I openly share the highs and lows of my journey—from being laid off to building a brand—because I believe in the power of connection through shared experiences. My work is not about projecting perfection; it’s about encouraging women to embrace their unique stories and find joy in their authenticity.
I’m most proud of the impact my work has had on other women. Hearing from listeners and followers who feel seen, heard, and inspired by my content means everything to me. I also take pride in the partnerships I’ve built, like my collaboration with Palmetto Goodwill, which gave me the opportunity to showcase creativity and sustainability through fashion.

To potential clients, followers, and fans: The Pink Elephant by Shanay is more than a podcast or brand; it’s a space for women to feel empowered and celebrated. For brands and partners, I bring an authentic voice and creative storytelling to campaigns, brand partnerships, and events. Whether it’s through impactful collaborations, keynote speaking, or tailored social media strategies, my goal is to create meaningful connections that resonate with women. Whether you’re a mom trying to balance it all, a professional navigating career challenges, or simply someone looking for inspiration and community, I want you to know that you’re not alone—and that your voice matters.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

I love fashion, and I love to create. So, I had to figure out how to turn the ideas in my head into tangible products that my community could enjoy as part of my journey. This led me to explore masterclasses on designing, manufacturing, and retail. I quickly realized I would need a platform that allowed for drop shipping because I lacked the time and organizational capacity to manufacture, stock, and ship items on my own.

I decided to use Printify as my solution for creating and selling items on my online store. This method saved me time and spared me the hassle of learning how to ship products and handle payment transactions. However, I soon realized that this approach had its downsides. The associated fees for the convenience ate into my profits, and I was limited in the manufacturers and types of products I could create. While it wasn’t perfect, it worked well enough for the time being.

When I began planning my event, I knew I wanted exclusive merchandise for my guest gift bags without spending a fortune on customizations. Using what I’d learned from the masterclasses, I researched reputable manufacturers on Alibaba. The thing about Alibaba is that it requires significant time and effort to sift through companies to find one that meets your quality and other requirements. It’s also essential to ensure the company is “verified.” The “verified” badge indicates that the company is legitimate and that you can get your money back if anything goes wrong with your order. After completing those steps, I sent my designs to three different manufacturers to receive mockups and later ordered samples to confirm the quality.

One key lesson I learned during this process was the importance of giving yourself ample time to find a company, produce the products, and handle shipping and delivery. Rushing can lead to unnecessary expenses, subpar results, or even a stress-induced ulcer as the event date approaches! Another great takeaway was the realization that it can be done. There’s always a company out there that can make your vision a reality—it just requires diligence and patience to find the right one.
The process itself demands effort, persistence, and sometimes a bit of assertiveness, especially for those of us who may not naturally lean that way. But with the right approach, your ideas can come to life.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Being a “creative” can be both incredibly fun and undeniably stressful. The challenge often lies in having countless ideas and visions of things you want to do because you’re naturally gifted in so many areas. But with all those gifts, things can start to overlap, and before you know it, you’re doing too much.

As I’ve shared before, I love fashion and helping women find their personal style. Naturally, I thought I wanted to be a designer or stylist, working with personal clients and taking on custom orders. However, after working with a few clients, I quickly realized it wasn’t for me. I didn’t enjoy having to convince clients to trust my vision or fulfilling design requests that didn’t align with my brand.

Furthermore, I recognized that I’d come too far to allow myself to fall back into a space of resentment when it came to my work. I had to be honest with myself: while I genuinely enjoy styling people and creating pieces for others to wear, I thrive most when I have full creative control and the freedom to work without constraints.

Now, I only create when I feel inspired, and I offer styling services exclusively to clients who grant me free creative control. This shift has allowed me to pivot and focus on partnering with brands that align with my mission and my podcast. It’s been a rewarding journey to focus on collaborations and opportunities that truly resonate with my vision.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ThePinkElephantbyShanay.com
• Instagram: @ThePinkElephant_byShanay
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shanay.G
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanay-n-pringle-b0961124a/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepinkelephantbyshanay22
• Other: TikTok: @ThePinkElephant_byShanay
  Spotify: The Pink Elephant by Shanay

Image Credits

Sunil Ford- Owner, Sunil Ford Photography