We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shamara McKenzie. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shamara below.
Shamara, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.
I know my parents did the best they could with what they had and one of the most valuable things they instilled in me was the importance of respect. From an early age, they taught me to treat people the way I wanted to be treated, no matter who they were or what their title was.
My father, Alexander McKenzie, had a saying: “Manners will carry you through the world.” As a kid, I heard it so often that it just felt like one of those “dad sayings” you nod at but don’t fully grasp. But as I got older and began navigating corporate spaces, professional events, and everyday life I understood exactly what he meant.
There have been moments in my career where I’ve been considered for an opportunity; not because I had the most experience in the room, but because I was at the top of someone’s mind due to how I made them feel. Whether it was showing kindness during a brief interaction, being dependable on a project, or simply greeting someone with sincerity and respect, those small moments left lasting impressions.
One specific experience that comes to mind was when a major opportunity opened up at a station I had once worked at. When the opportunity arise, my manager at the time told me I was the best fit for the job because of the way I conduct myself and my mannerism. Always being helpful, respectful, and eager to learn. That put me ahead of people who may have had stronger résumés, but hadn’t made that same lasting impression. That’s when it hit me: my father’s words were never just about good manners but they were about building a foundation for meaningful connections.
So yes, my parents did a lot of things right, but teaching me how to move through life with grace, humility, and respect is one of the greatest gifts they could’ve given me. And it’s opened more doors than I can count.
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.
For those who may not know me, my name is Shamara McKenzie, and I’ve built my career around the art of bringing people together through unforgettable experiences. I previously served as the Promotions Director at one of New York’s Top Rating Radio Stations, where I’ve had the privilege of helping execute dynamic campaigns and events that connect communities, brands, and audiences in meaningful ways.
My journey into this industry began with a deep passion for storytelling and connection but it was in the trenches of promotions and marketing that I discovered my true love: event planning. There’s something magical about taking an idea, just a thought, a spark of inspiration and building it out into something tangible that people can walk into, feel, and remember. That process of turning imagination into reality hooked me, and I knew I had found my purpose.
That passion led me to launch Mara Entertainment, a full-service event and experience production company. Through Mara Entertainment, I help individuals, brands, and organizations bring their visions to life from conception to completion. Whether it’s an intimate gathering, a brand activation, a fundraiser, or a large-scale summit, I work closely with my clients to ensure every detail is intentional, impactful, and aligned with their goals.
What sets me apart is my ability to blend the strategic mindset I’ve developed in corporate media with a personal, creative touch. I don’t just execute events; I create experiences that feel like an extension of your story, your culture, and your community. I take pride in being a problem-solver, a creative thinker, and someone who genuinely listens to what a client needs and then goes above and beyond to deliver it.
I’m most proud of the trust I’ve built with my clients and collaborators. The events I’ve been part of have created space for celebration, connection, and impact and I don’t take that lightly. If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and Mara Entertainment, it’s this: I’m in the business of making visions real. If you can dream it, I can help you build it.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One story that truly illustrates my resilience is the journey of producing the Mbrace Summit, an event that was born out of a deep passion to create space for connection, empowerment, and growth.
I had worked tirelessly to bring the summit to life; building the vision, securing speakers, curating experiences, and managing every detail. But as the date approached, I hit a wall: we didn’t have the financial support needed to execute the event at the level I had envisioned. Despite my efforts, the numbers just weren’t lining up, and I had to make one of the hardest calls, to postpone.
It was heartbreaking. There was disappointment, of course both for myself and the people who had believed in the mission. But instead of walking away, I used that moment as fuel. I took a step back, regrouped, and reassessed my strategy. I explored new ways to gain funding, built stronger partnerships, and tapped into resources that I hadn’t utilized before.
Months later, all of that effort paid off. The Mbrace Summit relaunched. This time, it was everything I dreamed it could be. The room was full of support, the energy was high, and the feedback reminded me why I started in the first place. It wasn’t just an event, it was a testament to perseverance.
What I learned is that a delay is not a denial. That experience taught me to trust the process, stay committed to the mission, and know that setbacks can be setups for something even greater. I’m incredibly proud of how it all came together, and I’m already looking forward to the next one, only this time, with even more wisdom under my belt.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
The best source of new clients for me has hands down been the true art of word of mouth. It all circles back to how I carry myself; not just personally, but professionally. I’ve always believed in treating people with respect and leading with integrity, and that naturally pours over into how I run my business.
When a client feels seen, heard, and taken care of, they remember that. And more importantly, they tell others. I’ve been blessed to have clients who, after a successful event or collaboration, go on to recommend me to their networks. That kind of referral comes with a level of trust and credibility that no amount of social media can buy.
Don’t get me wrong, social media and marketing are powerful tools, and I absolutely use them. But I still believe that a great experience is one of the most valuable forms of currency in business. When people feel good about what you’ve done for them, they become your biggest advocates. That’s been the heartbeat of my growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://maraent.com
- Instagram: maraentertainment_
- Facebook: Mara Entertainment LLCPresents
- Other: [email protected]
Image Credits
F4mediageoff