We had the good fortune of connecting with Shanise Morris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shanise, what do you attribute your success to?

Well first and foremost I had to define what success meant for me – personally – so I could have a realistic plan for ultimately achieving it. Authenticity has always been a fundamental piece of that plan. Even before my first post went live on Instagram, or I published my first blog post on my website, I knew success would ultimately come down to my ability  to remain true to myself and my “why”… The creative space in general is highly saturated, as are the content creator and blogger markets, and it can be hard to differentiate amongst those in any particular niche. For someone like myself, I can almost always count on creative mom bloggers offering up similar DIYs, hacks, tips and tricks around the holidays, and content around motherhood, parenting, and traveling in general. If you invest too much time in what others are doing (and how they are doing it) and allow yourself to get distracted by the “noise” it can definitely be discouraging. Personally speaking I have had to consistently remind myself that there will always be someone else doing the same thing, but “I” (heavy emphasis on “I”) am what makes my brand and my story different – and ultimately what has, and will continue to, contribute to my success. Period. Although there is still so much more I look forward to doing, and so many more connections to be made, having that mindset allows me to thrive, and helps me to appreciate the community I am a part of rather than feeling pressured to keep up or compete.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

To be honest, I think the word career can be a little intimidating because there is this feeling of permanence that isn’t often the reality for most people, including myself. In the technical sense, my corporate 9-5 is my career, but my lifework is what gives me purpose and something I get excited about committing to indefinitely. It took me a while to realize that the journey through life and “careers” doesn’t have to be linear, and you have the power to assess and reassess what suits your needs as they evolve. My lifework is a combination not only of my talents, and areas I have gained technical training, but also all the things that bring me joy. Creative Consulting and Design, LLC. marries my background in journalism, marketing, and communications, and is the umbrella through which I provide design and communication services to small businesses and individuals. My social media platform – momminainteasy_thebrand, and blog at shanisemorris.com provide an outlet for me to not only inspire and encourage moms through the highs and lows of motherhood by being transparent and honest about my own, but also provide resources and tips that will – hopefully – help my audience navigate some of the more challenging aspects such as sleep training and breastfeeding. It almost feels naive in a creative space to believe I could truly differentiate myself based on my craft alone, so I try not to make that assumption; however, I do feel that my overall style and my personal brand are what make me unique. My background in journalism allows me to tell stories in a way that others may not, while my attention to detail and creative “eye” provide me with the visual component – which together – create a cohesiveness that may not always be easy to find.
As an introvert, creative expression was my go-to outlet when I was younger, and when I got to the point where I started considering ways to do what I love and enjoy, while also sustaining a living in adulthood, I honed in on careers with a focus in marketing, communications and journalism. I have spent my entire career doing all three in some capacity, and the majority of that time has been in the financial services industry, which – for those who don’t know – is highly regulated. That said, my day-to-day work doesn’t always lend itself to opportunities for me to tap into my creative side and I have subsequently explored a number of different ways over the years to do so. Anything that truly allows me to “create” never feels like work which is one of many reasons I enjoy creative opportunities like blogging and designing… and when those opportunities generate income – even better! Over the years one of the greatest lessons I have learned, is not to let fear keep you from reaching your fullest potential. Self-doubt, and the occasional bouts of “imposter syndrome” are some of the hardest challenges I have had to overcome – but I have been able to do so thus far by focusing on my why as I mentioned, and being my most authentic self. In all honesty that, in and of itself, is something I am most proud of because it has, and will continue to, open doors and provide opportunities for me to shine and share my gifts in ways I haven’t before. It has also allowed me to truly get excited about the work I am doing, and resources I am providing… including my recently launched eBook – Eat. Sleep. Repeat. my blueprint guide where I share everything I implemented to nurse my children exclusively for over a year each, and help them acquire healthy sleep habits.

I hope that anyone who comes across my content, follows my motherhood journey, or leverages my creative services appreciates my authenticity, finds me relatable and my insight invaluable, and is inspired or encouraged in some way. At the end of the day that is the goal that drives me, and motivates me through it “all”…

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Over the last few years there have been so many places popping up in and around the Charlotte area! Sadly, I haven’t had a chance to enjoy as many as I would have liked due to the pandemic and becoming a mom of twins but… I have recently started venturing out again with friends and the hubby. That said, if my best friend were in town we would be exploring the area and all the newest offerings together! Ha! My itinerary for the week would be a mix of places I have been, and some that are on my list. We would enjoy at least one brunch at Church and Union and one at RH Rooftop, enjoy drinks and some adult putting at Puttery or Top Golf, explore new heights at iFly. Spend some late nights taking in the views at Merchant and Trade, Nuvole TwentyTwo and Aura, release some stress with some ax throwing at BATL Axe, cheer on the newest franchise in the MLS, the Charlotte FC soccer team. And depending on the season and how adventurous my BFF was feeling, we could take a trip up to the Whitewater Center for some hiking, ziplining, or rafting or enjoy a boat ride on Lake Norman. A trip to the Mint Museum and at least a few hours at the Spa at Ballantyne Hotel or the Ritz-Carlton in Uptown would also be in the mix!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Truly, there have been so many people who have had an impact on my life, but I would be remiss if I didn’t shoutout my husband who has invested so much into helping me see in myself what he always has. I also want to shoutout the women who have been instrumental in my journey – whether directly or indirectly. My grandmothers, my mother and mother-in-law, my tribe, aunts, cousins, etc. etc. and the women in the mommy-hood blogger world that I have had the opportunity to “meet” from afar. Life is a journey full of so many seasons, and so many lessons, some of which we can navigate on our own but I find strength and beauty in our ability to seek and receive guidance from others and I’m so grateful for all of these individuals. Outside of my real-life influences and mentors, has been a wealth of knowledge I have gained through my faith, and through reading. One book in particular that helped me get out of my head, and out of my way, was “You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero – definitely recommend for anyone anxious about doing “the thing”… whatever that “thing” is!

Website: www.shanisemorris.com

Instagram: momminainteasy_thebrand

Linkedin: Shanise Morris

Other: Link to purchase copy of my eBook – Eat.Sleep.Repeat – https://payhip.com/b/ZSO6w

Image Credits
Little Nest Portraits
Rebekah Richardson Photography

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