We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shannon Brooks a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Shannon, 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?
My mission is to change the financial outcome of individuals and families who are located in low to middle income neighborhoods and communities because I’ve witnessed the struggle firsthand. I was raised by a single mother in a home where my grandparents also resided and I saw the daily challenges of making financial decisions without a blueprint, the constant figuring out with no guidance. Living through lack isn’t just a memory; it’s a motivator. I want to provide the tools and knowledge that I didn’t have, to empower these communities to build a legacy of financial stability and success.
I believe in paying it forward and the each one teach one method so I make it a point to help those that are normally not included at the table when it comes to financial literacy. I believe in showing others how to create a table within their own neighborhood and community where financial literacy can be utilized to bring the change that is needed.
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.
My name is Shannon Brooks and I am a wife, mother and business owner. The name of my business is Brooks & Associates LLC and I am a Financial Services Specialist. I provide money management strategies and plans that are centered around savings and budgeting, I’m also a life and health insurance agent but I specialize mainly in life insurance to show others how they can use life insurance as a wealth building tool while they’re still alive and how to change their last name into a legacy when they pass away, and I also provide credit education and credit restoration to those who are experiencing challenges with their credit.
What I am most proud of is watching those that I assist meet and exceed their overall financial goals. I assist those that reside in low to moderate income neighborhoods and communities where there are more financial challenges than other areas and to see the ones who others counted out or didn’t want to assist see the light at the end of the tunnel means everything to me.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I built my business on being honest, having dignity and integrity. I am big on education and making sure that anyone that I am assisting understands how a product or service works. I talk about the good, bad and ugly and how the product/service will benefit them and how it won’t benefit them.
I have been this way since the start of my business and I stand on this. Even if it means that I have to walk away from money. My reputation is all that I have and I won’t ruin it by misleading people.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Back when I first got started in business times were really hard for me and my family. I didn’t have a vehicle that I owned so alot of times I had to rely on public transportation to get to and from appointments and meetings. There were times I had to walk 20-30 minutes to get to or from a bus stop during all kinds of weather. I walked when it was freezing cold and when the temperatures were blazing hot. But, I was determined to make it and determined to help people who were wanting to help themselves. I learned alot during this time because I met some of the BEST people who became my clientele. Many of them resided and still reside in homes/apartments that are owned by The Housing Authority and they understood my struggle of not having reliable transportation but because I was striving to do my best they supported me in my business. Now that I am doing better financially and have my own transportation I still have the ones in those neighborhoods as not only my clients but my friends and they still support me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brooksassociates.now.site
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-brooks336