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

Shundilyn, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

I believe the biggest risk I have taken is my poetry career. I’ve always been a writer and outstanding at conveying and articulating my words, thoughts and feelings, but I never took it seriously. I started my first book as a journal and after my mom read it she said I should publish it due to a variety of people being able to relate to my experiences. I was skeptical at first but I eventually looked into publishers, editors and illustrators. Once I figured out how much money it really took to publish a book I Started doing my own research about self publishing. After a few errors I finally got it right. That drive and determination has opened up doors for me to travel and share my books with the world, hear other people’s stories and teach fellow authors and poets the ropes about self publishing. I am now working on book five and I couldn’t be more happier that I took that risk to be vulnerable and expose my heart to the world.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hello my name is Shundilyn Smith, I am a only child, from a single-parent household, coming out of Oakland, CA. I also consider myself a successful black woman. Once I discovered my power and stepped into it, I noticed that I began to thrive. I was able to obtain 3 AA’s, a B.A in Deaf Studies with a minor in Education as well as my M.S in Rehabilitation Counseling. While i completed my studies i began self publishing my poetry pieces, and i am now a self published author of 4 books: A Peace of Me, Things Left Unsaid, Their White Lies, My Black Truth & Letters to You. I am currently working on my 5th. Getting here wasn’t east to say the least but I’m grateful for every no, every bump in the road and every failed attempt because it has made me stronger, more resilient and wiser. When being a small business owner and a black woman you definitely have to have tough skin and always be ready to think outside of the box, and I believe I have done a great job. I encourage anyone who looks like me to do the same, because it is possible.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

“where I’m from”
I Am from milk and honey
From melanin magic and it’s life long struggles
I am from “the town”, you know east of San Francisco, where 50% of the population looks like me
Loud, vibrant and free
I am from the ruby falls and the northern lights,
Fluid, colorful, breathtaking
I am from “respect your elders” and beautiful brown skin
From tashun the super woman, and Michael the hard working.
I’m from a glow that can be seen shining bright from within
And, expensive, ageless skin
I am from a time where my people lack political representation, and always being reminded to be mindful of our octaves,gestures and physical appearance, because if they don’t like it, because they fear it, they can end it, shit end us. “In America we trust”
I’m from Oakland California, home of the hyphy movement, but my blood has migrated from Spokane Washington, dekata Illinois, and St. Louis Missouri
Fried chicken and greens
From the song singing of James brown, “lost someone”, in front of the entire family, bringing them to tears (thank you grandma)
7512 Sunkist dr.
I am from a time where I have no choice but to break generational curses
The black sheep
From a time where I’m finally finding me, and feeling okay about it
The oppressed black girl who bottled up all of her hurt and spilled its events on to pages, claiming it now as her book, her way out
I am the one you always hear before you see
I am black I am proud, I am unapologetically me.
I am love, I am light and I am peace,
I am the voice of my ancestors, don’t you see?

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

My most effective strategy for growing my business has just been to be me honestly. I find that people tend to connect better with me, and my work when I keep it real. It came as a shock but people do value authenticity more than I imagined. Also it helps when talking to people because you don’t have to remember your sales pitch or remind yourself to alter it depending on the crowd, you can just speak from the heart. When someone feels like they know the writer when reading my books it makes them more comfortable and more than likely to come back and purchase another book. Authenticity is key.

Contact Info:

• Website: Poeticallyalive.com
• Instagram: Dilynthapoet
• Facebook: Apeaceofme
• Twitter: Dilynthapoet