Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shequan Palmer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Shequan , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
My mission is simple! I want to teach women of all ages how to “Flourish Within Their Means” by learning how to recognize their talents and natural resources to accomplish their goals. Competing in pageantry pushed me to discover my passions and hone in on my talents. I was also forced to rely on my community for support, which was something I was originally afraid to do; asking for help used to be my kryptonite! Pageantry also amplified the message behind my platform “Adverse Childhood Experiences.” Through learning how to flourish within my means, I gained a deeper sense of purpose, self, and identity. As the founder and owner of Valley of the Sun Pageants, I provide affordable opportunities for girls and women to participate in pageantry, all while providing a life-changing, quality experience.
Shequan , 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?
As a young girl, I loved watching the big pageants on TV and had only dreamt of one day gracing a pageant stage myself. I didn’t grow up seeing queens that looked like me and culturally, pageantry wasn’t something to aspire to. My husband and I have a tradition of taking turns supporting one another’s goals, and during my “goal year” in October of 2019, at the age of 32, I finally decided to act on this childhood dream and enter my first pageant. Ironically, that year, for the first time in history five black women simultaneously held the titles of the world’s top beauty pageants. While I watched the televised pageants in excitement, nervousness filled me because even though I was confident in many areas, I began to realize that I didn’t have the financial means to afford the “glamour”—clothing, make-up, hair, shoes, personal trainers, etc. This being my very first pageant, I had no clue what to expect, but the cost was adding up quickly!
With faith in one hand and confidence in the other (and full support from my husband, Wayne), I began my pageant journey not knowing where it would lead but also knowing that God had something bigger waiting for me on the other side of the crown. I created the phrase “Flourish Within Your Means” to say that I was simply going to use my talents and natural resources to help me win. Although I had no choice but to operate on a VERY tight budget, I became even more determined to prove that I didn’t need a lot of money to compete in or even win a pageant! One of my many talents just so happened to be thrifting, so that’s what I did! I thrifted about 85% of my pageant needs: clothing, shoes, makeup, etc. YouTube taught me a plethora of other tips, tricks, and hacks! #YouTubeUniversity
It seemed as though the pandemic had put a dent in my plans, but really, it bought me more time to prepare. Long story short, in May of 2021, I competed in my very first local pageant and won in all 3 categories of competition! Now here’s where those natural resources came into play. I had 44 days to train and raise money for nationals. By simply sharing my vision and my “why,” my community of family and friends rallied together to raise enough money to send me to the Mrs. International pageant, where I ultimately placed in the Top 15! I believe I got this far not only because of my confidence, passion, and determination but simply because I had learned how to truly “Flourish Within My Means.” I was crazy to think that I needed thousands and thousands of dollars to be in a pageant, so I decided to start a pageant system built on that principle.
I believe now is the time to put my passion and purpose into action! I am excited to launch Valley of the Sun Pageants, an experience that I hope will become a staple of growth, confidence, and leadership in the lives of women of all ages across the valley!
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I believe my reputation is based on my authenticity and willingness to share my story. I always put 100% of myself into my work, and I allow my actions and skills to speak for me. I also believe that it’s important to remain teachable and humble. While I definitely don’t have everything figured out, I’m not afraid to take risks and learn from my mistakes. I love sharing my story because it inspires hope for the future. It may also be the key to someone’s freedom, so I remain humble and unashamed of my roots. I would also say that my faith and optimism make it easy for me to see the good or potential in anyone, whether they have a traumatic past like mine or not. At Valley of the Sun Pageants, everyone is equal and on the same playing field; no one is greater than or less than their neighbor.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Due to the trauma and toxic stress I endured in childhood, I became a people pleaser to avoid being or feeling like a burden. Even in adulthood, I would do anything to avoid conflict, tension, and confrontation. I’ve always preferred to see others happy, even if it meant me suffering in silence. I learned that it’s impossible to make everyone happy, and it’s okay to be misunderstood. Most importantly, I’ve learned the importance of my yes and my no. I’ve even learned that confrontation doesn’t have to be a “bad” word. When people are willing to confront an issue appropriately, a resolution is more likely to occur that satisfies everyone involved. I finally realized that I needed to abandon the people pleaser in me for me to fulfill my purpose as an entrepreneur and small business owner.
Contact Info:
- Website: shequanshow.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shequanshow/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShequanShow
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shequan-palmer-235234b9/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg0N9Sh34H_6YWGMgNwULlw
- Other: https://www.vspageants.com/
Image Credits
Ray Ray Gosha- https://r2digitalimages.com/
Dorrell Edwards- http://www.alwaystimelessproductions.com/