Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sequoia Watson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sequoia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
The story behind my mission goes deeper within. September of 2020 I received the most heartbreaking news a person could ever endure. A person I was so deeply in love with for a year failed to tell me about a illness he had and to make matters worse I had to find out the information from his dad. I found out I had HIV! The moment I heard the news i felt like my life was over and my world had been shut down. Never once did I feel the need to give up on life but I did give up on my craft. My craft as a dancer, a teacher, a choreographer, a coach, and a business owner. I went into a full blown depression for 6-7 months shutting the world out, family, friends and my skills and techniques. In Jan. 2020 I started trying to gain my strength back because I realized how big of an inspiration I had been and become to others. So I prayed every second of the and made a vow to God that I would take my life back. I spoke my testimony in Nov.2021 at a Praise and Brunch to over 200 women in a room and there was not a dry face left in the building. From there I knew God had made a purpose for me to still be here. I knew then that he gives his toughest battles to his strongest people and I realized I was strong enough to handle it. It has been 2 years since I found out the news and Ive been Undetectable every doctor visit. My why? It’s simple… God will never put too much on us than we can bare and even though this was one that I never thought I would overcome or get over, I was able to build the strength and swallow my pride and say SEQUOIA YOU GOT THIS!!! I wake up with a purpose and a praise in my heart to keep going, growing and glowing.
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
I am five years in with my brand Poppin_N_Pumps!!! I have met some of the dopest dance celebs and danced for or been reposted by singers or rappers such as Kimmie Gee(dance captain for Beyonce), Drea Kelly, Sammie, Kamillion, Mya, Waka Flocka, a music video with Don Trip, performed for Trina, performed for Adina Howard, won dancer/choreographer of the year twice, performed in my first stage play, auditioned for Americas Got Talent, hit one million views at the Millennium Tour in 2019, did my first performance at the FedEx Forum for Boxing match in 2019, performed headline for Chicken and Beer Festival where I won most creative majorette choreography of the year in 2020 and I was blessed with my 4 billboards this past year here in Memphis and Atlanta. I just recently won Brand Ambassador of the Year 2022 and Dance Choreographer of the Year 2022.
Since my dance career, I have also added group sessions, one on one sessions, I choreograph routines for weddings, I also travel and do performances out of town and in different cities for showcases and events. Where I am today is all about changing lives through dance, bringing out that inner sexiness, making you feel comfortable in your own presence, building that confidence and self-esteem.
I offer twerk, sexy in heels, chair groove, hip-hop, mama and me classes, and bring your boo classes. I prep talk my clients before teaching them because I want them to be comfortable in their own skin and to make sure they understand that it’s not about anyone else in the room and that you will develop your own style of dance because I’m not expecting anyone to be the next Ciara or Teyana Taylor unless it’s your preference but to just be authentic and YOU!!! I’m most proud of overcoming the biggest obstacle of my life back in 2020 of September and I havent let that stop me. The journey I have been going on I want my clients to know that no matter the situation and obstacle you come across you can concur the world and fufill your dreams.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
During this business you either come across people who support you to the fullest or show you fake support. Ive had to learn the differences. The ones who fully support are the ones who not just talk it but show it as well. But you have the ones who show the fake support by just telling you and not showing. You have to be careful the ones you let into your circle who are just there to feed off the support your get from others rather than really wanting to see you win. I have had to cut a lot of so called friends out of my life because the support was fake which shows why I am in the best position Ive ever been in because of that.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
One word: CONTENT!!!! I never knew how serious content was until I really wanted to reach my audience on another level. Yes social media is cool to browse every now and then but as business owners social helps the long way. Reels, TikTok, stories and etc is a huge platform when branding your business. My advice is to post every day Im talking every chance you get because if you cant reach 100 people you will definitely reach at least one and sometimes thats all it takes is to reach at least one person. Make yourself known and relevant. You people to remember not just as a brand but a legacy.
Contact Info:
- Website: experiencepoppin.com
- Instagram: pieces_of_shaunta and Poppin_N_Pumps
- Facebook: Sequoia Watson
- Other: TikTok: Poppinnpumpsshaunta
Image Credits
Antoine Lever