We recently connected with Pamara Sanders and have shared our conversation below.

Pamara, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Along with taking care of clients, taking care of our team is one of the most important things we can do as leaders. Looking back on your journey, did you have a boss that was really great? Maybe you can tell us about that boss and what made them a wonderful person to work for?

Early in my teaching career, I had a boss who was simply phenomenal! She pushed me to be a leader and ecouraged me to move outside of my comfort zone. Leaders are either inspiring or energy-drainers, this one was inspiring in so many ways. I recall being asked to do a special project one year, the following year my boss reminded me that the project was oficially mine to plan out each year. That alone inspired me to be creative and innovative in my craft as an educator. I am a servant leader in my current role as a high school principal and business owner. True leaders should never ask someone to do somehting that they would not do themselves. I was taught this from the amazing boss I had early in my career. Here I am 17 years later, still implementing the lessons learned under the leadership of one of my very first bosses!

Pamara, 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?

I was born, raised and educated in the city of Detroit, MI. Upon high school graduation, I moved to Nashville, TN to attend Tennessee State University for my undergraduate studies. I returned home, at age 21 after earning her BA degree in education. I chose education because of the opportunity to positively impact the lives of children daily. One of my dreams was to give back to the city that contributed to who I am today as I believe my upbringing has everything to do with my choice to Live Passionately.

I believe everyone can achieve anything they set their minds on. This is one of the reasons I decided to create Passionately Living, LLC, a brand created that inspires the world to live passionately everyday. One entity of Passionately Living, LLC is Passionate Conversations. These conversations provide insight on specific careers, lifestyles, and/or areas in life where success has been achieved by a passionate individual. The goal of every conversation is simply INSPIRATION. My company’s motto is: Live Passionately, the rest is easy. Passionately Living trademarked items include: Inspirarional shirts, daily journals, & backpacks. I also offer district and school level professional development sessions as well as individual consultation services to current or aspiring educators and/or school leaders. I provide feedback and individualized action steps to support their work.

My authentic personaily and overall PASSION for living on PURPOSE is what sets me aside from other educators and business owners.

I am most proud of the feedack we get from:
*Aspiring K-12 school leaders who land their dream job after a few counsultation sessions
*Current teachers who feel motivated and enthusiatic after attending a professional development session
*Warm thank-yous I get from attendees or honorees of an event where I was the guest speaker
*Supports who purchase merch & get feedback that other individuals love their ‘Inspirational tee” while they were out shopping or having lunch with a friend.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I love learning, as a matter of fact… I consider myself to be a life-long learner. Sharpening my craft is essential in my journey of living passionately. Reading is one way I stay sharp. Here are a few books, I have read upon becoming a business owner, just one year ago: 1. The 5AM Club by Robin Sharma
My takeaway was that I have to be intential about the life I want to live. Rising early is just one of the ways to make the dream come true.
2. Finding Me by Viola Davis
This biography inspored me to keep going inspite of failures and past situations out of my control.
3. The Path Made Clear by Oprah Winfrey
The collection of interviews and inspirational messages reminded me that my mind is powerful and I should always think positively.
4. Feeding My Soul by Tabitha Brown
This book allowed me to see that there are no mistakes in life and another man’s success timeline has nothing to do with mine.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

Passionately Living, LLC creates inspirational apparel from time to time. Juneteenth 2022 was our first time celebrating a federal holiday. The creation of “Passionately Free-ish” Juneteenth shirts was a hit within the Black Community. I connected with my designer and came up with a beautiful illustration to honor the holiday. I posted the shirt design and shared it on my social medial accounts about three weeks before they were ready. So many people asked about pre-orders. I had never thought about pre-orders, so early into me launching Passionately Living, LLC but all of the inquires inspired me to prepared for pre-orders next year. I randomly chose an inventory number and rolled with it. Ironically it was the most inventory I’d produced since launching my business.

Once the shirts were ready, I updated the website and made a few posts for Instagram and Facebook. Initially there was a glitch on my webpage and the creator of my website had to go in and fix a few things. This discouraged me for a short time, but within a few hours we were up and running. To date, the Jueteenth Shirts sold more than any other product on our website. I sold all but six shirts from the initial inventory. I has people emailing and calling asking for more. I decided to hault the sales since the holiday was technically over and I was overwhelmed by all the support. Customers tagged us on social media on Juneteeth, and we appreciated all the love we received.

The plan for Juneteenth 2023 apparel is underway now, we will be prepared for ALL sales!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.passionatelylivingllc.com
• Instagram: Passionatelyliving_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=passionately%20living%2C%20llc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamara-sanders-ed-s-0b60a284/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSFWTQei-AwT0tXWiypIanw
• Other: https://linktr.ee/Passionatelyliving