We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shalon Barnett a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Shalon, appreciate you joining us today. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job?

My first job as an adult was with Wausau Insurance. I remember working in the mailroom as a temp, and they started hiring for full-time opportunities, but you had to type at least 30wpm, and I could not. They eventually lowered the typing speed requirement to 25 wpm. I passed and was hired full-time. I spent almost 2 years at the job when Liberty Mutual acquired Wasau. Those of us who were initially hired under Wasau remained employed by them. I was a Customer Service Rep inputting worker’s comp claims that went to a claims adjuster. I wanted to be an adjuster. When Liberty acquired Wasau, we had to apply to Liberty Mutual because there was no room to grow at Wasau. At around 23 years old, I couldn’t accept staying on a job processing claims knowing I could not advance beyond that role. I was a single mom then, but I took a risk and gave my notice, knowing it would not be fair to me to stay on a job where I could not get promoted.

There was more in me, and I could not accept anyone telling me that being a Customer Service Rep was the furthest I could advance. So, I invested in myself and went to work for a start-up telephone company. That didn’t last long because the company couldn’t survive here in Tampa. I got a job with Hartford Insurance and became a Claims Representative. There was a gentleman by the name of Mr. Harley who taught us, during lunch, how to become a claims adjuster. I sacrificed my lunchtime to take the classes. I studied and passed the test to become an adjuster, but I still didn’t get the job. I had had enough by that point. I ended up leaving and went to work with special needs kids. That is where my entrepreneurial journey was launched.

The lesson I learned from my first job was that there was more out there for me and more for me to do. I thought being an adjuster was a secure job, and that was what I needed at the time. But, I knew I couldn’t settle at a job that would eventually limit my ability to grow. There was more for me to do in this world, and I needed to figure out what it was.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I live my life according to this powerful quote by Desmond Tutu, South African Angelican bishop and theologian, who said, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”

I am an International Speaker, published Author, and Reinvention Coach who is passionate about serving others. I have spent my life helping people in need because I was once in need myself. My past was one of struggle, inner strength and triumph that has brought me to where I am today as a successful entrepreneur.

Because of my own personal experiences, I believe that no woman should be without a place to live, so I created Shalon’s Hope, a nonprofit organization that provides residential housing to women who have had a history of abuse, bad relationships, and criminal records. As a speaker, I share my story of poverty, battery, and shame. As a coach, I teach women how to renew, rebuild, and reinvent themselves. My mantra and mission statement are of HOPE.

I know that even when it feels dark, there is always going to be light at the end of the tunnel. No matter how many doors close, one always opens up to your purpose. We have to trust God’s purpose will prevail even when we want to do what we want to do.

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

The book that most impacted my entrepreneurial thinking is “The Gift in You,” by Dr. Caroline Leaf. This book helped me understand myself and the purpose lying dormant in me. I came to a point where I didn’t fully understand my identity and who God had created me to be. I did the work to discover my identity, which then led me to this book. When you don’t understand who you are as a person, it makes it difficult to understand yourself in business. You start to identify yourself by your business, which is not what God intended. I have my own identity, separate from my business’s identity.

Dr. Leaf’s book helped me to unlock the gifts that were in me, and once I discovered those gifts, which are all a part of my purpose, I began to operate in business differently.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

So many business owners have these amazing stories of how they secured capital for their businesses. I am not one of those people. When I decided to venture into the group home business, a friend of mine was in the process of renting her home. I knew I wanted to have a residential home, so I asked her if I could rent her home. She said yes, and I continued working my regular job to pay the rent and purchase the items needed for the home. When you have a dream, and you know it’s something you are supposed to do, you can’t always explain how you funded it or will fund it. You just do what you have to do to fund the dream. Big dreams require big sacrifices, and I sacrificed a lot of my personal funds, time, and effort to ensure I could create a stable environment for those who needed one.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shalonbarnett.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shalonbarnett/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachshalonbarnett
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ePZ5IaSB5jFtU3LG4aEfQ/featured

Image Credits
Trav Mullins and Christina Jones Photography