We recently connected with Shawna Solomon and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Shawna, thanks for joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later
Later, knowing what I know now. As many have, I became a a entrepreneur out of need. Knowing what I know now, starting later, to be properly prepared would have been best. I didn’t have the proper systems and processes in place until the business was stuck and I was ready to scale. My husband had gotten sick and it was up to me, to make a way. I couldn’t do both, be at the hospital and at the store. Nothing was in place, outside of me. I was everything, the lifeline of my business, Had to shift the business online only, operating out a Facebook group and shipping from his hospital room. Took off a year to rebrand the store, put systems and policies in place, even the training.
I would have changed jumping right in. Taking the time to do research and put things in place so I could take a leave, if needed, and scale the brand.
Shawna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Now, as a Brand & PR Success Strategist, I got into the industry because my store was used as a gateway to meet other women in business. Their in store experiences, turned into strategic sessions to show them how to show up for their brands. Many went on to get speaking engagements and generated 3x their income, based on our sessions. Opening a brand and image development firm, aligned perfectly. We assist small business owners with showcasing a trusted brand online image, which is all visual. Visuals that set your brand apart from competitors on social media. I believe my love for fashion and creative eye is what sets me apart and keeps my roster full. I’m often told, I see things in people before they do. My drive pushes them to be the best they can be, giving up is not an option!
Many of the clients we work, are black women, who have been in business for 3 or more years, are generating income but are struggling with their brand messaging and don’t know how to position themselves. We assist through our creative strategies.
I’m proud of building a solid team with the same mission & values, that has allowed us, as a small firm, assist small business owners with being financially self sufficient through entrepreneurship. I remember a client years ago, telling me they went from 13k to over 100k, to last year, finding out, two of our clients are headed towards a million in revenue. Every year we host a Black Label Market that showcases small businesses in a positive light.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I built my audience my being authentic, being consistent and knowing who my audience is. Also, get out and network, get online and network..join different groups on Facebook, in different cities to expand your reach. You can’t grow if noone knows you exist. Show up.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
When my husband got sick and couldn’t walk for awhile, Our income was cut drastically. It was up to me and the boutique, to live. Somehow I did it, no GOD did it. He sat me down and I took that time to rebrand. That was my first six figure year. The storefront was closed and I had to pivot to online, website, groups and social media to meet my business goals. Back then, social media was kinda new so I had to learn that while pivoting. The best thing you can do, is be prepared to shift, pivot and/or innovate.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shawnasolomonandassociates.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theestylemuva/
- Linkedin: edin.com/in/shawnasolomon/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShawnaSolomon
- Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theestylemuva
Image Credits
Ray Carrington