The Journey to Creating My Dream Life - Shonda’s Story
Stories are meant to be shared - that’s why at Boss Babe Networking we are a leading resource for women to be seen, understood, and heard.
Every woman has a different story and an experience to share. The value that exudes from those experiences has the infinite power to change the world.
We are honored to have had the opportunity to sit down with Shonda Adam as she opened up about her story and shared some words of wisdom for our readers. Women like Shonda are exactly what Boss Babe Networking is about and we can not wait to share her with you.
Let’s start with an introduction. Tell us about yourself. Feel free to share your business, your life’s mission, and what brings you joy.
A little bit about me, my name is Shonda. I’m an inch away from 29 years old. I moved to Colorado 7 years ago from Iowa with my husband. We started from the ground up and launched a business together. We are just doing the dang thing. We have three babies with another one on the way! I run an online beauty business and my husband and I also own a landscaping business. I help with both along with being a stay-at-home mom. My kids bring me so much joy in life.
A life mission of mine would be to make sure my husband and kids have the most amazing life together — on trips. Although gift giving is one of my love languages, I want to make sure it's not just throwing gifts at them for love. I'm not worried as much anymore about materialistic things. It's a weird transition, but I really want to make sure they have those memories and quality time with us.
“[Grief] taught me in so many ways that I cannot be selfish anymore.”
Here at BBN, we’re all about sharing Women’s stories. Tell us about a time you had to overcome an obstacle? What did that moment in your life teach you?
Last year, my dad passed away - it marked a year on March 17th. It's honestly been one of the hardest years and I had a baby. I had a newborn in February and he passed away March. It's been one of the hardest years to be intentionally present. Whether that is being present with myself, or as a mom and wife.
I’ve been working on overcoming the obstacle of being at peace with it [grief], because I truly am. As sad as I get, I truly am at peace with it, because he was so sick and he didn't live a life that he deserved at the end. I'm glad that he lived with me for the last two and a half years. I'm glad that I got to physically be his caretaker and help him through it. What that has taught me this last year, is truly to always dig deep within yourself and not be selfish. You will learn that it's not all about you and it's not all about what you want. My dad told us that he didn't want to fight anymore and it was his choice. He passed away two days later. It taught me to look inside of myself and say, “This is what my dad wanted. He was tired. And I can't be selfish anymore.” There were so many ways that I was being selfish. Ultimately, this year I've truly overcome being at peace with my dad’s death and it taught me in so many ways that I cannot be selfish anymore.
What do you believe is the biggest challenge women in business face?
The biggest challenge I believe is not being taken seriously as a woman in business. Because for instance, a lot of times in landscaping, I'll be talking to male customers getting ready to get the estimates done and on occasion, I voice memo to customers. Since I run the social media side of the business, they don’t expect it to be me. It is odd for them that it's a female and so I truly think one of the problems in business that women face is not having as much support. I feel like we all rally around women to get support when it should just come. But it doesn't.
“One of the problems in business that women face is not having as much support.”
“When I was younger, I didn't know what this meant, but I dreamt of being financially free and having freedom of time.”
What did the younger version of you want to be when you grew up?
When I was younger, I didn't know what this meant, but I dreamt of being financially free and having freedom of time. I was always saying things like when I get older, I will do all these things with my kids. When I get older, I'll have the money to do this and that. It wasn't about the dream job title, it was about what I could provide with the money I made. It was about what experiences I could provide and memories that I could make. I always knew I wanted to be a mom. I wanted to be able to do whatever I want with them and not have to be limited because of money. It's about being able to give them the memories. For instance, we've been to Mexico twice with them and they're six, four and one. It’s about being able to be present and giving them memories is what I've always dreamed of.
“Go for it girl because you are the strongest person on your side.”
What advice would you give Women in Business?
Never give up. You don't know who you're going to inspire. When you talk, use your voice and speak up. Because if you don't speak up, somebody else is going to. You won't get the opportunity, whatever that opportunity is. Don't be scared. There's always what if it doesn't work? What if it doesn't happen? What if? But what if it does? What if it works out in your greatest favor, and it's the best thing that could have ever happened to you. Another piece of advice is you can truly do anything you put your mind to. That is the biggest thing I believe in. Something in my house is that you are not allowed to say the word “can't”. If my kids say “I can't do this”, I encourage them to rephrase that. I tell them to say “I have not been able to get this yet. And I need help.” The word can't is not a word we use. You can do anything you put your mind to. You might need practice or you might need help a little bit along the way. Everybody needs help sometimes so don't be afraid to ask for help. Go for it girl because you are the strongest person on your side. You can make it happen and I believe that with all my heart.
Where can our readers connect with you online?
