We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shatoria Christian. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shatoria below.
Alright, Shatoria thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?
I Am Shatoria is a name after my heart. It’s not just the Shatoria; however, it is the I Am. I love saying it as a positive affirmation to remind me of who I am and what I am made to be and do in life.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1982. I grew up with my three sisters and my mother in a drug and abusive home, and finally, after being molested at the age of seven and moving too many times to count, I was sent to live with my grandparents in 1992. It was my fifth elementary school, fourth grade, in a small town that I loved later in life. I didn’t know how to read or how to do the math.
My grandparents were hard on me with school and just being better in life; however, I have learned that they loved me and knew I had greatness. Love and confidence were something I didn’t have for myself. My grandparents wanted to see and empower what was deep in me. My sisters and I weren’t given what they gave us before living with them, which was new. Before moving in with my grandparents, I had secrets, and they started to catch up with me over the years. I developed depression, and I started cutting myself, which went on until about the age of 18.
It didn’t matter that I graduated with honors from high school; all that mattered at that time was I was hurting mentally and just wanted it to end. I didn’t feel, and I felt invisible. I spent many years trying to be something I wasn’t and even going into the military, thinking I could escape the reality of life. I couldn’t run, and I couldn’t hide. I finally got the help I needed spiritually, mentally, and physically.
I finally arrived at a place where I was happy with who I was and growing to be. I was an event planner for almost 18 years, and then God decided that it was time to give everyone what I didn’t have growing up. So in 2020, I Am Shatoria, LLC was born. This brand was built to help everyone that was like me for years. The mission is to show that no one is alone in their battle. I am an author, life coach, podcast host, and motivational speaker.
I Am Shatoria, LLC job is to reach many with my words and encourage the mental and passion for building people. With all I have gone through in silence and out loud. I am super proud of myself and where I am in life. I am a wife, mom, Airmen, and all I stated above. I encourage people to live out loud. I encourage people to have themselves-all the things I didn’t have for myself all those years ago. God has truly blessed me, and my goal is to bless others with my story.
My book, Authentic Transparency: Forgiveness to Freedom, speaker to my growth, my hurt, the pain endured, and my freedom to be me and open. My goal, dream, and passion are for people to be free in all things. I am watching it come true daily, with me being variable.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Building my audience started with my first business, so my mindset and posting had to change when I decided to switch over companies. I began by creating my audience by building my advertisement through social media. I reach out by posting things that matter to the audience I desire. For example, I post soulful messages along with motivational concepts. I have also paid for the advertising to reach others outside my typical network. It has been working, and I enjoy meeting and embracing new people.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Being in business and learning how to navigate has been a learning experience, and it has been good. I have had to pivot with what COVID has provided. I had to use social media to help me get my material out and reach people more. It was better than I thought it would be, and I am still using the platform and learning more about it. I hope to reach more people every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: iamshatoria.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/iam_shatoria
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamshatoria
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@iamshatoria
- Other: TikTok https://www.tictok.com/@iamshatoria?lang=en
Image Credits
Tiffany Redden (LadyRedd Photos) Tiffany Johnson (SouthernSweety Johnson)