Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shenna Whitley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Shenna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

To advance in life, in general, risks have to be taken. For many of us, we are programed to take emotionally government risks. You know the, just go for it – “what you do you have to lose” risk. Overtime, we will start to develop the educated/calculated risks. These comes from the wisdom bestowed upon us from the emotional risks that either worked out in our favor or became a hard but well-learned lesson.

The greatest risk I have ever taken started emotionally, it was literally betting on myself. For years, I took the advice of everyone else, even when it felt ‘wrong’. I continually looked for the approval of others to govern how I should navigate myself. I kept quiet, when my voice should have sung brightly within the night.

Betting myself, meant looking inward for advice. It is the only way to develop your own intuitive guide. This is apart of how Acumen Mindset came alive. What Acumen Mindset brings to the world – is working to first acknowledge and work on breaking down the stereotypes around mental health. This leads into helping bridge the gap we currently see between people gaining the knowledge and resources within underserved communities to move from suffering and survival too thriving.

This took me putting myself out there and telling my story. I had to learn and re-learn as the mission of Acumen Mindset moves forward. I had to learn to bet that my story was worth hearing and that someone – if only one person needed to hear it, see it, and know they too had value and were value added within this world. I betted on me and it turned out to help so many within the community. People that I know personally and those that I have never met.

It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, however, it has been the most rewarding. To receive a message from someone telling me that my story or that Acumen Mindset has helped them gain a new perspective or life-tool. This not only warms my heart, but it give me fuel to keep pushing when the “voices” say the risk isn’t worth it.

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 realized there was gap for many professional black women when it came to the importance of mental health and understanding the vast number of resources available to assist. Thus, Acumen Mindset was born. It started out as a podcast of my sharing my own journey with others. However, it became evident that more resources were needed. It was later developed as a non-profit organization to help span our reach and create access to more resources.

Acumen Mindset’s mission is to provide a home for those that feel lost within the journey of life. Starting with helping to provide resources, engagement, support for all that are looking to develop a healthier mindset – that leads to wanting to take care of one’s health, wealth, and etc. The purpose is to create a safe space for everyone to learn, grow, and develop. To be seen and know that they have added value within the community.

The thing I am most proud about within Acumen Mindset, is that we are always growing and developing. This is a community. The vision isn’t about improving one subset of people, it’s about improving all that want it! We are a home for those seeking a place to call ‘home’ of people that aren’t here to judge but to grow, be seen, be loved, be valued. I am so proud of what we can do for the community on such a small scale, that I know we will be able to do even more as we grow into the vision of being a globally supported and funded non-profit serving all communities.

One day, I look forward to Acumen Mindset becoming a household home like the American Red Cross. Growing from a digital platform to one that has an expansion network of resources within alls facets of someone’s life. Leaving no one behind to feel shame, guilt, or unworthiness. We are all here with a purpose.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I love to read and learn, I feel it’s the best way to keep growing. We are always right and wrong – right in what we know right now and wrong in what we haven’t gained to know. The importance is being open to always learning. Some books that I would recommend for those that want to show up as their authentic selves and have a significant impact on their management and entrepreneurial thinking would be:

– You Are a Bad** by Jen Sincero
– The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
– The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
– The Law of Success
– The Purpose Driven Life
– The Compound Effect
– The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
– The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

The biggest element that has helped build my reputation within the market, is being my authentic self at all times. I authentically care about the well being of others, sharing information, and helping others to become their best vision. However, to do that, I had to become comfortable being me in all spaces. I had to learn who I was and what that looked like daily.

Many times, I would dim my light or make myself small within different settings as to not make others uncomfortable by my presents. That was not me being my authentic self. It would lead to people learning or getting to know a representation of self – that wasn’t me and was hard to keep up. It was taxing to show up as ‘someone’ else to fit in. To learn how too ‘be in’. Now, I am in because I am me and that is the most freeing thing!

People connect to who you are at the core. If you don’t show up as that person, people know and the biggest person you let down is yourself. Be authentically you and those that you are meant to help – will always show up and ready to move forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.acumenmindset.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acumen.mindset/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shenna.whitley
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/acumen-mindset/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@acumenmindset7237