We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sharday Plair a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sharday, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Along with taking care of clients, taking care of our team is one of the most important things we can do as leaders. Looking back on your journey, did you have a boss that was really great? Maybe you can tell us about that boss and what made them a wonderful person to work for?
At a time when I had the best boss ever I would have to spilt between two individuals. The most recent boss I’ve had taught me never to give up and to have confidence in my decisions. He also taught me the importance of having a strong team behind you and also that by becoming a boss, everyone is not your friend. You can’t be timid and you can have everyone like you because people will take advantage.
When I received a promotion in a company a few years ago I can admit transitioning from worker bee to supervisor was completely different. People that didn’t think of me as a competitor or even smart had to second think that which caused friction therefore I had to learn how to be more of a leader. I had to learn to not only have confidence in every decision I make but to also have my team trust me. Even though the outcome from that situation didn’t end the way I hope because of the pandemic and because we had to close I still thank God for the opportunity. More than anything it helped me realize my weaknesses as well as strengths. Also made me come to the realization that if I’m going to be under so much stress for another company, I’m willing to put my all into my own business. Which pushed me to start my ideas for Shays HustleWear in 2020.
The second amazing boss I would like to mention was a woman duo that owned a Massage Luxe in St. Louis. They were great bosses because as young as I was I saw the drive and dedication they had toward their business. They taught me how learning as much as you can about business is important and then delegating to the right people. She was someone that learned the books of the massage therapy business, as well as the modalities( different massage techniques) She expressed the importance of networking and selling yourself as a personal brand in a way, and my only regret is I wish I took what she was teaching me more seriously and I maybe farther today than I already am. I am thankful for the experience as she was the first boss to give me a promotion. She instilled in me that as long as I am willing to learn that I can learn anything. Learning business isn’t easy but with the right mentors guiding you and your willingness to fix mistakes will become a superpower and can up my chances of being successful.
Sharday, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am Sharday and people call me Shay for short. Shay Cutts is my personal brand and my business is Shays HustleWear. Shays HustleWear is a t-shirt brand that specializes in custom t-shirts for outings such as family reunions, girl’s nights, and corporate events. We strive to create something individualized for any occasion that makes a statement. Our t-shirt line emphasizes statement tee’s that motivate and make a statement everywhere you go.
Problems I solve through my shirt business are helping people with their creative expression with shirts and now branching out to other garments of clothing, We also help those that want to customize their own wardrobe meaning if you have something old, in stealing of throwing it away we can create a new item in a way. For example, if you have a plain shirt but want to add your own logo or saying to it we do that with ease.
The Shay Cutts brand helps individuals with motivation, learning self-awareness, and helping people figure out different ways to make money from what they are already good at. I also help people with self-care practices and give tips and guidance on how to lose weight naturally, as I have gone through a 50-pound weight loss journey. Helping others discover their potential and motivating others has become a passion of mine and am happy To do so. Coming from my own experiences with life I understand not feeling good enough or being underestimated and so if I can help people get through those obstacles I’ve had to overcome I’m happy to do it.
Combining my business and my personal brand has been a great balance.
What separates me from others is the willingness to take criticism as I suffer from anxiety. As most people may run from a critique I’ve built the strength to learn from it and do better and this is with my business and personal brand. I am someone that is willing to learn from my mistakes and teach others so they won’t have to go through the same. I also enjoy helping other create content in different ways.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I developed my audience organically by staying true to myself. When the pandemic initially hit, I found myself confined at home for months, kickstarting my business and exploring avenues to expand. While I had a modest local following comprised mostly of family, friends, classmates, and colleagues, I recognized that they weren’t necessarily my target customers. This realization prompted me to pivot toward online networking.
During the pandemic, I adopted a proactive approach by immersing myself in research to pave my path to success. As I navigated through social media, the buzz around an app called “Clubhouse” caught my attention. I decided to give it a try and spent hours attentively listening, realizing the tremendous impact strategic social media engagement could have on a business. The art of producing more content than consuming turned out to be a pivotal game-changer for my online presence. Taking the stage on Clubhouse, I spoke to audiences of varying sizes, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, about my endeavors. This significantly contributed to expanding my online following.
My journey towards authenticity began by candidly sharing my weight loss and anxiety experiences. This transparency intrigued people, prompting them to engage with my content and pose questions. Recognizing the potency of my natural weight loss journey, I shifted my focus from selling merchandise to prioritizing health and wellness content. This pivot allowed me to offer valuable advice and resources to others, fostering a sense of community.
Embracing my genuine self proved to be the most effective route. I came to realize that many individuals had undergone similar struggles and emotions, far more than I initially comprehended. By openly and honestly discussing the highs and lows of my personal journey, I empowered others and provided them with encouragement. Through my authentic approach, I managed to inspire people to embark on their natural weight loss journeys, regardless of external circumstances. The gratitude I receive from those I’ve motivated serves as a testament to the impact of sincerity.
With each well-intentioned post, my following continues to grow organically, without me having to pretend to be something I’m not.
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
When I first embarked on my t-shirt business journey, I quickly realized that the challenges were far more intricate and demanding than many entrepreneurs initially anticipate. It dawned on me early on that there were numerous aspects to consider, along with associated expenses. Balancing two jobs became my reality, not only to meet my household expenses but also to invest in my budding business.
During this time, I engaged in thoughtful introspection about potential income streams aligned with my strengths and past experiences. I sought advice from those closest to me by asking a fundamental question: “What do you think I excel at?” This proved to be a valuable exercise that led me to discover key attributes such as patience, organizational skills, coachability, and a teachable nature within myself. Armed with this insight, I began to brainstorm ideas that would leverage these qualities.
Reflecting on the types of inquiries I frequently received from others, I recognized a recurring theme—people often sought my guidance on meal preparation. Given my personal journey of losing 50 pounds naturally, individuals were curious about my methods, the development of the discipline, and the factors contributing to my consistent weight loss. Meal preparation emerged as a central component of my advice, as I firmly believed it played a pivotal role in my successful journey.
Taking the initiative, I initiated a conversation within my Facebook circle, inquiring about their interest in a meal prep service. The enthusiastic response from my network marked a turning point, and I channeled my efforts into this newfound income-generating venture. As I began to produce content showcasing my personal results and sharing my experiences, my clientele organically expanded. Aiming for a heightened level of professionalism, I developed my first website and established business pages.
Fast forward to the present year, I have transitioned into a full-time entrepreneur role, and my website, StlGreenEats.com, serves as a valuable repository of helpful resources. Among my recent accomplishments, being invited to share my journey on a television network became a significant milestone. This opportunity allowed me to articulate my mission through Stl Green Eats—to guide individuals towards healthier meal choices. The experience of making my debut on KSDK News 5 this past June stands as a monumental achievement, signifying a significant stride in my commitment to positively impact my community. The acknowledgment of my endeavors in fostering healthier lifestyles fills me with profound gratitude and motivates me to continue my mission.
Contact Info:
- Website: StlGreenEats.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shay.cutts/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShayCuttsMealPreps
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shay-cutts-08639a125/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Shaycutts_92
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXM_etXU598mo5JO5MrBY0w
- Other: Find me on Clubhouse! https://www.clubhouse.com/@shay.cutts?utm_medium=ch_profile&utm_campaign=H8lxl3dJLR8De893Rbk-cg-850074
Image Credits
Photo Credit and video editing by Sharday Plair aka Shay Cutts Makeup Artist: Gabriella Jordan aka Glam by Gabriella J