We were lucky to catch up with Shunte Gamble recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shunte, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.

I have tons of experience in starting over. In 2008, I launched my first business after discovering I could create wearable art (jewelry) from my imagination. My grandmother and I also needed a craft idea for our Christmas project. With new determination, I focused on all that my mind could create. I took the steps needed to get the word out and become official. Little did I know that one move would start a wave of self-discovery.

From there, I began participating in vendor-based events. That turned into me hosting vendor events. From there, I gained the attention of my community. I saw an open door to step into public speaking and fundraising. People wanted to hear my story, know who I was, and attend my events. With a magazine, a women’s group, and thousands of dollars given to support breast cancer awareness, I was in the thick of a growing brand.

It wasn’t long before, what I spent years building, fell after a singular life decision. I found myself having to watch it all crumble slowly. When the dust settled, I was standing there alone. Everything was gone, including hope for the future I could see in my heart.

What now? My counselor gave me the best advice I had ever heard. “It’s okay to reinvent yourself Shunte.”

That was the spark my hope needed. It took many months to realign myself and my mindset with the promise of a brighter future. I went back to the drawing board. I went back to writing.

I wrote a poem and decided to post it. To my surprise, a follower saw it, invited me to participate in her anthology, and boom, the door swung wide open again.

From down and out to best selling author because I refused to give up. Soon after, I began to travel to speak and share my testimony. I began to share my ups and downs wrapped in knowledge, wisdom, and humor. Who says the ugly cry can’t become an ugly laugh. This was active healing.

Since that day, I have continued to reinvent myself as I learn more about who I am and what I am called to do.

Getting back up to walk in my purpose required me to submit my plans to my creator, release control, and accept that what I needed would always be provided. In the past, I spent so much money secretly trying to impress my guests. This time around, I understand they are there because of the event itself, not the linens, centerpieces, or gifts.

Prioritizing a balanced budget, when the event activities and aesthetics fit the cost, is essential to retaining a profit. Identifying my target audience helped to refine my focus when inviting guests to join me for a wonderful event.

Shunte, 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?

I am on a mission to be an effective catalyst for change. I am dedicated to impacting lives through messages filled with experience, hope in loss, and success.

I am an award winning entrepreneur, best selling author, motivational speaker, and radio personality. I own and operate Women Empowering Change INC, and Mixed Talk Media which houses Mixed Talk Radio and Mixed Talk Magazine. I also hosts Let’s Talk Life XL Radio Show that airs weekly on my radio station.

Top industry professionals and organizations seek my expertise to equip them with the tools essential to achieve new levels in their professional careers, break barriers blocking their personal goals, and to create action plans that promote continued growth.

I understand the desire to be successful has a huge impact on how professionals tend to view their progress. I believe, that many are more successful than they realize. Success is a mindset. I am dedicated to helping go-getters align their thinking with their actions to see the success they want to achieve.

“Although we cannot control every aspect of life, we can reform our thinking.” Shunte Gamble.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I can be multidimensional. I spent many years of my youth and young adult life bending to what others believed I should and could do. I had to be okay with being gifted to do multiple things. This idea is not always popular or reserved for a noncelebrity. Most think you can only do one thing in life. The others believe if you do more than one thing, you have not mastered any of them. Not true. I have learned, that I can do more than one thing because I took the time to learn and practice those gifts. If you’re a person who can do more than one thing, then do them!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Resilience has become the best friend I did not know I knew. When you are down to a few options, life will show you how resilient you are. Getting back up after everything I built in blood, sweat, and tears was the most painful act I have ever endured. It took everything I had and everything I gained just to get up. Then it took every ounce of faith and trust in God to take the first step. Even though I have taken many steps forward since there are still moments I am knocked down.

Getting back up the first time makes getting back up easier now. Why? I have seen the doors that will open, the healing that happens, and the new waves of friends and supporters who will get alongside you all because I refuse to quit.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wecinc.org www.mixedtalkmedia.org www.shuntegamble.com
• Instagram: @shunte_gamble
• Facebook: Shunte Gamble
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHKbsuHL9cZNFst_4JdQnlA

Image Credits
Light Dream Photography