We recently connected with Dr. Shanna Van Ness and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Shanna, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

As a child, I was always the “talkative one”. Straight “A Student”, but when my parents came to the parent-teacher conferences the report always ended, she talks…”a lot”. I can remember being a child and always having something to say. I always had an opinion and even as a child I would get the side-eye for sharing my opinion even when I wasn’t asked to. So, I would say, I have always been vocal. I can also say that growing up I asked a lot of questions. If something intrigued me or if I wanted to know more, I wasn’t shy about asking questions. My passion to support the growth and development of others led me to become a Certified Business, Executive and Life Coach. Throughout my personal and professional relationships, I was always the person people would come to for advice or an opinion. Even then, I took that to the next level by simply asking thoughtful questions that supported them in finding their own answer. With that being said, I listen and respond with thought-provoking questions to support individuals and organizations clarify their “what’s next”?

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

Dr. Shanna V. Coaching and Strategic Solutions provides services that she lives by herself. As a coach, I not only coach others to clarify their vision to achieve extraordinary results, I practice what I speak. So the coaching and consultative services are driven by my heart and desire to see others succeed. As a Business, Executive and Life Coach I operate now in Atlanta while still maintaining a client base in New York. I work with a wide range of clients to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each individual and organization. In a supportive atmosphere, I help clients attain the professional and personal growth they are striving for. I offer sessions, in-person, virtually, and on the phone. Some of the areas I specialize in are: • Personal Growth
• Professional Development
• Relationship Coaching
• Communication Skills
• Confidence & Personal Power
• Inner Peace
• Achieving Balance
• Health & Weight Issues
• Organization & Productivity

I cater to a wide demographic of clients. Some of my clients are individuals that need support in getting unstuck. Some are individuals that want to repair a relationship or find a relationship. I work with a lot of individuals that want to jump into entrepreneurship. And, I also work with a lot of mid to large size organizations that seek to reinvent themselves innovatively and with resiliency. I have worked with executives that are looking to take their organization in a new direction, so I would say my reach is wide.

As a Certified Business, Executive and Life Coach I specialize in personal growth, relationship, career, business, and executive coaching. My services and resources are vital to others in that as a private practitioner I work with a broad spectrum of clients. My specialty as a Business, Executive and Life is providing clients with services that are collaborative, solution-focused, results oriented and results oriented. In my field, I am known as the Committed Action Queen. Not only do I live in integrity, Saying X and Doing X each day, but, I make it part of my practice to support clients to adopt a Committed Action Mindset. Through this approach, I provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges that will resolve into extraordinary results. I also integrate coaching techniques and helpful assignments to offer a highly-personalized program tailored to you. With compassion and understanding, I work with you to help build on your strengths and attain the personal growth you are committed to achieving.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One thing I would do differently is embrace the idea that some of your most genuine support can come from those who are not closest to you. I used to get upset when I did not receive the support from those that I thought I would. I had to realize I needed to release the expectation that they should support me. So that’s when I told myself, “Don’t be surprised that genuine supports sit in the balcony, not the front row”. And, be OK with that. This is something I learned and had to accept over time. I had to learn and accept that as you grow some will grow with you and some will not; and, be okay with that. It does not mean they do not love or care about you. It means your steps are ordered to follow a unique path that was designed for you and as your go and grow, you will have supporters from afar.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Burnout is a huge issue amongst women entrepreneurs. For some reason we feel like we always have to be on “go”. While growing as an entrepreneur I worked a full-time job and successfully achieved my educational goals. I then remarried and my family blended. My husband, Cory and I have two beautiful grown daughters, ages 26 and 23, I was blessed with my Bonus daughter, 14, and my 4-year old son. I share all this because it feels like I have been on “go” all the time and as a result I did experience burn-out.
After my experience with “burn-out”, I had to retrain myself in adding balance back into my life. So to ensure I made myself a priority in regaining balance in my life, I placed “ME” on my calendar. Now, balance looks different for everyone. I had to really identify my “ME” priorities, and started to practice what I coach. Self-preservation is not selfish. We all need time to decompress. Quickly after my experience with burn out I learned that I cannot pour into others if my cup was empty. So, a few tips I would like to offer are to treat yourself like you would treat your best friend. We are quick to give others tips of “you need to rest, you need to relax”, well definitely take your own advice. Know when to turn it off. Yes, turn off the cellphone which is such a distraction. Schedule “ME” time with reminders so that you begin to make yourself a priority just like you prioritize your clients. And, lastly, take vacations, reward yourself for the HEART WORK that you do.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.drshannav.com
• Instagram: @drsbvanness
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrShannaVCoaching
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannavanness/
• Twitter: @SB_VanNess

Image Credits
Photo Credits: Slingshots ATL (Orange and White Phot Credits: Heather Hunter (Blue and Red)