We recently connected with Shalicia Torbert and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Shalicia , thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
Queendom Business was founded in the height of COVID in 2020 as a book club to bring people close together during Quarantine. Before COVID, in January, 2020, the founder, Shalicia Torbert (Shaye) tragically lost her best friend Angel Conner, who was murdered in a domestic violence incident by a fellow soldier in her unit. Angel had encouraged Shaye to start a book club shortly before her passing and she started a book club that they both completed together with 15+ other people reading the “40 Day Prayer Challenge” by Pastor Mark Batterson. Less than a month later after completing the Inaugural book club, Angel’s life would be drastically cut short.
In dealing with the pain and grief of losing her Best Friend, Shaye founded Queendom Business. A nonprofit initiative to help those in need, those that are under privileged, or those that just need positive resources to help them transition through difficult or life changing times in their lives. Working with different organizations from Washington DC to Alabama, Queendom Business is dedicated to creating a loving and family atmosphere where we believe in helping people to “Turn their Pain, Into Purpose”. Everything Queendom Business hosts is done with purpose and to bring our community together from community field days to Vision board gatherings to car shows to raise money for Domestic Violence awareness. There is something for everyone, young, old, men, and women.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
In working with the youth in her surrounding community Shalicia wanted to share the story of her best friend and how their friendship propelled her into the purpose that she is living today. Giving herself the title of “The Friendship Chick”, Shalicia wrote a book titled “Lessons From An Angel- The Keys to Healthy Friendships” where she describes the 42 lessons that Angel taught her about being a good friend. The book was released on memorial day to honor Angel’s 8+ years serving in the United States Army. Along the journey of writing this book, Shalicia was a part of an Anthology book titled “I AM QUEEN” which went on to become an Amazon best seller during its release last year. In this book Shalicia shared the pains and trials that she went through growing up, into adulthood and on to eventually founding Queendom Business.
She has a wealth of resources and knowledge to include over 12 years of working with the United States Department of Defense, growing up as a military child, and involving herself in activities with her church. Shalicia has dealt with many trials of overcoming abuse and battling mental health and through Queendom Business she is able to share her stories of triumph with people across the world. I am very proud of the fact that I can bring smiles to the people in the community. It warms my heart to know that I can help someone in some way and that I am a resource that can be called on. Helping people is truly my life’s work and I know that this is what I was placed on Earth to do.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I believe that my life experiences really helped to shape my reputation as “The Friendship Chick”. Not only was writing the book about the Keys to Healthy Friendships the only dealings that I had with friendship, but I have also traveled across the world building and cultivating friendships with a plethora of different people. Growing up both of my parents were in the United States Army and they also Pastored a church. From moving around from state to state with my parents and meeting different people within their church congregation every week I came across many different types of people. Everyone who I have crossed paths with can vouch for me as to what a great friend I am. I take pride in my friendships and in how I am able to be there for them in their times of need.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Domestic Violence Awareness is very crucial to the mission of Queendom Business. After losing my best friend in a Domestic Violence incident I decided that I would continue doing outreach and partnering with organizations who work with Domestic Violence Survivors. Having survived my own trials with domestic abuse I want to make sure that anybody dealing with such issues has a safe place to speak up and can be provided with resources to bring them out of that trial. Equally, working with disadvantaged children also gives me an opportunity to make a small difference in the lives of children who have been exposed to Domestic Violence, Substance abuse, sexual abuse or anything along those lines. Many people, adults and children alike, feel as though they have no one to talk to or their voice isn’t heard. I, myself have been through times when I felt as though I had no one to talk too, so I want to make sure that everyone has a voice and that their voice is heard.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.QueendomBusiness.Org
- Instagram: @QueendomBusiness
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@QueendomBusiness
- Other: LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/shalicialashaye
Image Credits
Lavish Studios