We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shell Hall a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

SHELL, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Writing my book! I love working on this project. It went from a simple little E-book that I thought I would publish in a week, to a book that has evolved into a much larger project. Throughout my journey, I realized this could be a truly authentic brand for myself. Meeting with the interviewees has inspired me more than I could’ve ever imagined. Listening and learning their stories of success has inspired me to find myself in a truly authentic way. Which inspired, Realities of Entrepreneurs, “Drop the Facade.” Think of a mask as a metaphor for the personas we adopt in different situations or the facade we present to the world. Behind these masks lie our true emotions, experiences, fears, and desires. Each person’s story is unique and shaped by their life experiences, relationships, challenges, and triumphs. By peeling back these masks, we reveal the complexity of human existence and the richness of individual narratives. The facade we carry becomes a weight, separating us from genuine connection. This project is so meaningful to me, and I want to share it with the world in hopes that it inspires others to truly be authentic.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am the owner of Cherry Creek Stone Works, Inc. We fabricate and install countertops. The company has been in business for more than 25 years, but I purchased it 2 1/2 years ago, and it is now a 100% women-owned entity. I worked closely with the previous owner, and it was a privilege, I was honored when he asked me to purchase the business. I have been in the stone industry for over a decade, and I love creating custom stonework that creates a timeless space that my customers love coming home to. We specialize in superior craftsmanship and inspect every slab to ensure the highest quality of the stone and we provide a one year workmanship warranty.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have always wanted to own my own business, and I tried many home-based business options, such as Avon and Signature Homestyles. All were successful and taught me a lot about customer service and sales, but none of them really turned into a career. I felt like something was missing, so I decided to go after my biggest dream earning my pilot’s certificate. I was halfway through and then COVID hit, and everything just stopped. I had to put my pilot goal on hold to focus on my business, but I plan to pursue this again at the beginning of next year once my book comes out in February 2025.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

Funding my business worked out because my husband and I had just refinanced our house, and we were actively looking to buy a second home. I wanted to start a rental business. In the midst of searching for the perfect home, the owner of CCSW offered to sell me the business. I was flabbergasted! My husband on the other hand wasn’t really into that idea. We decided to split the money so he could use his half and I’d use mine. Doing this still left me short, so I had to get creative. I asked my grandpa if he’d be interested in investing with me, he said yes! I was excited, but then I got worried about not having reserves for the what-ifs. The bank said no to a line of credit, so I made a deal with the seller to pay monthly payments for six months while I built up reserves. It all worked out, and I couldn’t be happier about my decision.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cherrycreekstoneworks.com
• Facebook: cherrycreekstoneworks.com
• Other: https://realitiesofentrepreneurs.com

Image Credits

REALITIES OF ENTREPRENEURS – KERRI RANDALL