We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shanequa Dasher. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shanequa below.

Hi Shanequa, thanks for joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I’m definitely happier as a business owner, however, I’d be dishonest if I didn’t say that it comes with its own set of cons. As a business owner, your work output and effort determine if you’re going to get paid, and your payment frequency is not as regularly consistent as a salaried career may be. I remember being a teacher and getting my paychecks every two weeks consistently. So much so, that sometimes I would forget I was getting paid. As a contract business owner, there are months that no checks come through and others where I receive multiple checks. It all balances out, but you have to be strategic with your money. Time is also a huge factor that differs from a business owner to employee perspective. As an employee, I also had a set schedule from 7:30am-3:30:pm, but as a teacher, sometimes that schedule spilled over with staff meetings, grading papers, and classroom/lesson prep. As a business owner, business never stops. After several years of being a business owner, I did decide that I had to build in boundaries with my business hours to prevent burnout with minor exceptions. But overall, I enjoy having the autonomy to do I as I please, and have allegiance to a business that I have the most vested interest in.

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

I am Shanequa Dasher of Dasher Creations. The Dasher Creations brand is focused on creating content and resources to help moms foster creativity and joy in their homes. As a former classroom educator, turned stay-at-home mom, this was something that came naturally to me, but was extremely difficult for many of my friends, who may feel as creatively capable or simply didn’t have the time. One way this is done is through my podcast, “I Wish A Mutha Would Podcast”, which highlights topics and activities of inspiration for millennial moms. We also have tons of food and craft activities available on our blog, YouTube channel and social platforms. I absolutely love that I am able to live out the purpose of enriching lives of children and families through the creative avenues as a performing arts director at The Art of Confidence, as well as an author and educator through my blog, video tutorials, books, podcast, and in-person programming.

I am blessed enough to work alongside my two children, Kayla(11) and Kyler (6), creating food, crafts, and core memories in partnership with several major brands like Crayola, Brother, and Home Depot. Locally in the Atlanta area we host a series of mommy and me craft workshops called “Mommy and Me Crafting in the Park” in the spring, and during the summer we offer a full performing arts and sewing camp. Visit our website at dashercreations.com or any of all social channels for dates and information.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Funding one of my businesses has the funniest and most inspiring back stories. Here’s how The Art of Confidence Performing Arts Alliance got funded to open. Once upon a time, there were three first grade teachers with a background in the arts. We were putting on a school sponsor production of “The Wiz”. While we rehearsed after school we offered premium snacks for sale like pickles, cookies, chips, and candy every day. It was reminiscent of my middle school days of selling Blow Pops and candy bars from Sam’s Club. At the end of a months time the 3 teachers had collected around $500 dollars in snack money. They each paired this amount with $500 each of their own money, and placed a deposit on a building which became the 8 year home of their performing arts studio and camp hub. They received no additional loans or capital. Just snack money and $500 of their own investment. Operations from that point forward sustained this now 13 year old business.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Pivoting is something that my business has done a lot of, and I have to admit that it’s something it will continue to do until I land on a business formula that fits for me. Dasher Creations was originally a handmade Etsy shop that made custom shirts and tutus. This model was eventually a huge source of burnout for me. Business was good, but it was too good. At the wake of the pandemic, my daughter and I ended all other production and work strictly on the production of fabric masks. Simultaneously, I transitioned into a content creator that shared the process of creating different creative items, through a series my daughter and I started in effort to help children and families who were bored at home. I now I work with brands to share their message and mission through DIY videos and videos featuring their products. I will soon pivot to a education platform that will host all of my craft videos so that families will have a full library of activities that will enhance creativity in their homes. To me pivoting is a part of the process, and I learned to no longer be afraid of it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dashercreations.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/dashercreations
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/dashercreations
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@DasherCreations
• Other: https://www.grownwomantv.com/wishamuthawould

Image Credits
Niesha K. Photography