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Sed ut perspiciatis unde.
SubscribeWe recently connected with Dr. Shandell Maxwell and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Dr. Shandell , thanks for joining us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?
I want my legacy to be outlasting, like starlight. I am transparent about my passions, interests, and business because I want someone to stumble across my website or IG page and be inspired. I want my daughter, my grandchildren, and their children to be inspired! I want them to say I stood behind my name and was a light in every space I entered. Years ago, a sweet old lady told me that my name in French, Chandelle, meant candle. So, I’m very intentional about being a beacon of light. Ultimately, it’s my responsibility to leave a meaningful legacy like my parents and grandparents did for me.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Through Byrd & Maxwell, I coach veterinary professionals on best practices in veterinary management and ways to incorporate diversity equity, and inclusion strategies. The most important things I do is educate on business and social constructs, I challenge my clients to try new approaches to business that supports wellness and inclusion. The goal of Byrd and Maxwell is to prepare people for greatness, and I do this one person, community or organization at a time.
I started working in the veterinary industry in 1998 so most of my early work experience was in veterinary and human health. Later in my career, I worked in staffing and higher education and I re-entered the veterinary field in 2018. Now I serve as a operations and DEI consultant in the field.
This is my second coaching business. My first business started in 2010 and it was focused on personal and professional life coaching for anyone. Now my focus is on professionals in the veterinary field because I’m concerned about their well-being. I’m concerned about the people who take care of animals. The suicide rate is an issue in veterinary medicine, so I see it as my responsibility to use my life coaching and business coaching skills to change and save lives. I’ve also struggled with suicide ideation, so I understand that level of despair and have found better ways to cope. So if I can help just one person change their life for the better or change the way a hospital is ran so that the team can have a balanced life, I’ve done my job.
I’m most proud of my tenacity. It’s hard being a mother, business owner, and full-time worker. My business is essentially my weekend job. As a kid, I always had multiple hobbies in action and I loved summertime because I could create, sell door to door, and teach my younger sister new topics. I’ve always been an ambitious person with a determined personality so when I set my sights on an attainable goal, I plan and go for it!
I’m also proud of my new journal titled Keep Going! A journal for activists. This journal represents my tenth year in activism work. Since 2013, I have advocated for human decency using storytelling as a tool to connect people and communities. Now, with this journal, activists and allies can document and illustrate their activities, and use this exercise as a time to reflect and refocus. The journal is also a great keepsake for their families.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I believe my reputation is built on respect and admiration. People often tell me that they’re inspired by my journey and achievements. And because I recognize I am an influencer, I am my most authentic self in any space I enter. If I feel like I have to shrink, I will leave. I’ve sacrificed a lot of my adult life shrinking so that others wouldn’t be intimidated by me because of my talents, gifts, and knowledge… but not anymore. During the pandemic, I gave myself permission to be myself, unapologetically and that’s when I started Byrd and Maxwell Coaching Institute with the support of my family, and especially my mother Sharon Byrd.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
A book that changed my life was Carter G Woodson “Miseducation of the Negro”. I read this book after finishing my master’s in management and leadership at Pepperdine’s Graziadio’s School of business management and it open my eyes to the responsibility I have to not only use my knowledge to give back to the Black community but also make a positive contribution to humanity.
Lastly, I am inspired by the music of the late great Nina Simone. I share her commitment to activating the youth through artistry. Coaching people is an art! Nina said that “An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times” and I believe I accomplish this through the coaching and education I provide. My work reflects the current need to do more for humanity and I take action by using my skills, talents, and knowledge!
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