We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shaquana Wise a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Shaquana , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been one of the most interesting investments you’ve made – and did you win or lose? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)
I can say one of the best investments I made as far as time is going to school for Certified Nurse Assistant and finishing. It was a time in my life in my mid 20s where I had to figure out who or what I wanted to be and how it can truly make a difference. My childhood was fun, spontaneous , wholesome but my Mid 20s to now I see the world more beautifully than I ever did in my life. Helping people is a gift I have and I always knew; I found nursing in my family as I didn’t even know I had aunts who are in the medical field as well; so It’s a given for me. It was like a calling and it still feels so. I’ll always know how to take care of a person , I’ll always know how to make someone feel human and comfortable, I was taught but also naturally and spiritually am made to help people. As far as money I can say I didn’t have much experience at first so I had to work my way up in small cases; work in places where I can earn my experience, it took about a solid year on and off of learning, progressing, messing up and growing at the same time. I got my Personal Care Aide diploma not too long after and had so many cases , some in home and some in facilities, some 8 hours or 12 hour days, some 3 day Live-Ins. I can say I did it all now being 5 years later, still in professional active duty. It does feel like a whole achievement that I got some few years under my belt, experience and definitely a long resume for the future if I wanted to do more in the medical field. So I am honored to be able to invest in something that took me far and made me a decent living and consistent income. I learned many lessons on being patient and understanding we all have conditions and we all get older, it’s part of life I learned to appreciate that more and understand I will get older one day also and would want to be well taken care of. It’s a good feeling knowing you did your best and that’s what matters in the world.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m from a small town but have been to a lot of big cities around big time people so it’s safe to say I’m not your average. I have been in the poorest places and have been in the most expensive places you can think of. I’m still experiencing this life and learning more about myself. I became more aware of my spirituality and that I am actually a more reserved person as an adult. I started modeling around 18 years old and MySpace was the thing in my day, it blew me up in ways I didn’t realize ; i got reaction and traction and it went from there . Now I am published and been in a few magazines, went to school for CNA and PCA and finished. Still active. A heartbreak in 2018 made me push into a person that takes God alittle more seriously, toxicity can do that. What I’m selling I have a website I started in 2020 a LED activated teeth whitening brand based in Canada. It’s cost effective and is equivalent to all other brands the difference in this particular one is it’s Natural, safe on enamel and protects gums! You can do it right at home while working or cooking at your convenience. The Instagram is @raw_glow1. It’s not huge but I am hoping one day I am supported to be able to grow my modeling career into a business. I’d like to work with huge brands one day and model in fashion week in Paris so I definitely have alot of work to do! But the goal is to never give in even when it gets so tough you want to just….die. God appreciates people who don’t give up when the waves are too high. That’s what I been doing .. soaring and building.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My particular goal is to be better than yesterday but my mission to keep driving my creative journey is to be someone bigger than myself. Help others fill voids towards their creativity and journeys as well.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
You will struggle to understand the journey is the best part NOT the destination, so clichè yet so spot on. I always think of it like this if it is truly good meaning worth fighting for you’ll always work for it and want to EARN it, Whether the school you want to get into, or the love you want in your life or the house you dream of or the career you hoped and sweated for; you’ll always feel better if it is earned. It’s just a deep feeling of satisfaction that you went out and got it on your own, that you put your best foot forward and work for it. Anything good is worth working for.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shopusa.sunnasmile.com/?rfsn=4456594.c8a369&fbclid=PAAaZ2MYrExH74VvPklE4lFHpxa2KCjwPPOcEUPkfO-W8fQVwrIYBUK-CcQ4g
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/
- Linkedin: N/A
- Twitter: N/A
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/?noapp=1
- Yelp: N/A
- Other: Lucci Monroe you’ll always find me 🌟
Image Credits
Alcole Studios , Juxtapose_magazine , Seewateva Magazine , Pounds_lifestyle , tts__89 ‘tyrant tees’ , VoyageATL Magazine , muse_the_Dreamer ‘Muse’ , Habana Heights , Apex studios , ShoutOut Atlanta.