Meet Shavonne Reed | Wellness Champion & Health Advocate

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

Hi Shavonne, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
Hello, my name is Shavonne Reed, and I am the Founder and CEO of OPUA Agency. I would love to tell my story on the evolution of my social impact marketing Agency, OPUA.

My journey exemplifies overcoming the odds of being born to a single mother in poverty in Southwest Atlanta, Georgia. Growing up, my household was full of dysfunction and abuse. School wasn’t always a safe place, as I was constantly teased about my appearance. Even though the odds were stacked against me, I knew I was destined to be greater than my environment.

Through the grace of God and a few positive role models, I could grasp the concept of “my American dream.” My mother always aspired to own a business but was never afforded the resources or mindset to rise above her circumstances. I was determined to make this dream a reality for myself.

I knew making my dream a reality required hard work, so I decided to pursue higher education as a first-generation college student. I pursued a degree in journalism and acquired a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from what is now known as the University of West Georgia.

I met the love of my life in college, and upon graduation, I decided to prioritize family. I stayed in Atlanta, settled here, and got a “good corporate job” with benefits in the marketing field. I committed to corporate America for several years, and unfortunately, my dedication and hard work still resulted in being looked over for promotions and raises.

I felt stuck and remembered my true dream of owning a business had been put on the back burner. I returned to school and pursued a Master of Business Management at Georgia Southern University. Upon graduation, I launched my first Business concept.

Opua started as a cosmetics line focused on inspiring women like me to be comfortable in their skin. This was born from the insecurities I felt as a youth bullied into feeling like an “ugly duckling.” Starting a business from scratch was anything but easy! I struggled with my marketing plan, vendors, social media overload, lack of working capital, and more. I did not have an abundance of start-up money, so I applied to a business plan competition but was rejected. I then tried to get a business loan but was also declined. I gave my business my all, but the rejections made me feel as though it was impossible. I ended up losing more money than I made and had no choice but to put my dream on the back burner again. It wasn’t the worst thing ever, as I had small children and decided it would be nice for me to be able to be fully present in their lives as they would only be small once. It was a sound decision and in hindsight, I believe it is the way God ordered it.

I went back to corporate America. I spent several more years advancing my career and had the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of marketing campaigns, sales, product launches, and more! I attended professional development training sponsored by my company and was blessed to have mentors who believed in me and poured into me.

I had done so exceedingly well in my job position, and there was no more room to grow at the company where I had just reached my five-year tenure. At least as a black female, my next level and desired position were CMO, and my mentor checked my expectations rather quickly that it would not happen there.

After leaving this position, I had time to reflect on my 20-year journey up until that point. Around this time, my mother’s health began declining drastically, even though she was still “young”. I knew now more than ever; it was time to seek something meaningful and build a legacy that would allow me to leverage my heart for purpose and servant leadership to lean into the work I found most rewarding–social impact.

I began researching why my mother was experiencing such health complications at her age. I leaned into my experience from having worked at the CDC. Then one day, the turn OPUA needed to take dawned on me. I knew there were marketing budgets for chronic disease prevention and that early detection combined with lifestyle changes can prevent chronic diseases resulting in extended and healthier, more satisfying lives. I reimagined my company as a social impact organization committed to promoting health and chronic disease prevention. Unfortunately, my mother succumbed to her preventable illness and passed away in April 2021. As a mother myself to two teenagers, I understood the significance of a different narrative for myself and my children and the many families like us.

OPUA Agency is now a boutique health marketing communications firm on a mission to educate, mobilize, and empower Gen Z to develop healthy lifestyles. Now more than ever, agencies like OPUA are needed with the rise of the multiple health crises exacerbated by the pandemic. We prioritize awareness to promote healthy futures as we understand the importance of generational health. We are trusted with building brands and campaigns and have the capacity to generate reach, awareness, engagement, and behavioral change. We are committed to making future generations healthier.

Future Health Now is a brand tagline that means there is hope for tomorrow. What if we became better guardians of our mind, body, heart, and soul today? Since the reimagination of OPUA in 2020, I launched the Future Health NOW podcast and founded the Future Health NOW Foundation, which is dedicated to social change for a healthier tomorrow. I’m building a community to bridge the gap in health communications and behavioral change to ensure effective messages reach and mobilize the next generation and generations to come.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
OPUA Agency has evolved to become a purpose-driven company. I launched the firm with this ambition in mind and didn’t quite have it all figured out. However, the culmination of many years of effort and diligence is paving the way to impact change in the lives of many. This is what makes it easy to show up every single day–knowing we are influencing the world to foster health for generations to come. Our mantra is future health starts now.

As a minority from a low-income family with a lack mindset, my greatest challenge was overcoming the shrinking thinking this worldview provided me. So often, I have felt like I wasn’t enough…this has been the most self-destructive thinking ever. I would get started with execution, but when I ran into defeat and self-sabotage, which was perpetuated by the workplace trauma I experienced over the years.

The most difficult challenge/obstacle I faced had the confidence to put all my energy into starting my business after facing many setbacks from declined business pitch applications to a decline of a microloan, even with excellent personal credit. I didn’t know if my dream was just that–a dream. I overcame this mindset by aligning myself with others experiencing the success I aspired to. I listened to their stories and podcasts and started to prioritize my self-care. I learned to never doubt my capabilities and to give everything my all, and switch my perspective to “What if it does work?”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Over a week with my best friend in the A-town, I would really indulge in all the simple things. We would have a full itinerary and would hit ALL the breakfast and brunch hot spots and the scenery in town.

The Atlanta Breakfast Club, Mary Macs, Copelands, Bar Peri at the AC Hotel Dunwoody to overlook the City and enjoy barbeque chicken flatbread, and The Melting Pot in downtown Atlanta; too bad Sylvia’s is no longer here. I would also take them to the Varsity for a frosted orange, Fat Matt’s, Grind House Killer Burgers, and Pascals. We would definitely go to the Beltline and enjoy the street dancers and the fresh air and art along the paths. We would visit the High Museum of Art Friday night out event, go to the Atlanta Comedy Club for a show, and visit the Westin Peachtree Plaza to view the skyline from the roof. We would go to the African American Library, the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship and I’d look for some fun activities around the Atlanta University Center to partake in. We would also go to have a nice view of the Overlook at Cumberland. If she is up to some adventure, we would go to the Silver Comet trail and go biking and then roller skating at the iconic Cascade Skate. If we could squeeze in a trip to Phipps Plaza and Lenox, we would do that, and of course, I would take her to LifeTime to workout, take a spin class, DJ’s dance class and enjoy the eucalyptus steam room. We would also have to go for a walk at Chastain and watch the sunrise.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
James Smith He was the one gentleman that was in my life as a teen that offered guidance and direction and set the example of what a man should be for his family. He gave me my first job copying CDs for him and taught me how to submit RFPs, invest and save my money, keep up with business expenses, track mileage, and how to dream bigger than I ever could have imagined. His motto is to work smarter and not harder and stick to whatever you hope to do. He has been and always will be my hero, believing and pouring into me on such a great magnitude! I’m forever grateful. Whenever I face adversity, I always consider what he would advise me to do.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-smith-26b70911/

Phyllis Newhouse
She has achieved so much and has set out to be an inspiration for underprivileged individuals around the world. I love that she asks matter-of-fact questions and speaks with authority and empowerment.
Xtreme Solutions is her company. She can be found on IG @phyllisnewhouse

Kysha Cameron
I saw this lady run her business with poise and she was there for me through the rough periods when I was just getting started affording me an opportunity to support her and encouraging me along the way. She always believed in me and has been a source of strength for me throughout my business’s infancy and still supports me to this day.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyshacameron/

Sara Webb
She was the first person I connected with in person at multiple events after becoming a certified woman-owned business and she was very forthcoming with insights and sharing of knowledge, best practices and encouragement to get me going.
Intandem Promotions is her company. She can be found on IG @teamintandem and @sarawebb

Tracey Grace
She is an ambitious go-getter and taught me the ropes for how to go after a government contract. Tracey has provided world-class mentorship and guidance on how to align my company’s capabilities in such a way that I am able to secure more business.
www.ibexitexperts.com

Lauren Wingate
Lauren was the first person to give me advice on which organizations I should pursue education and networking with to facilitate opportunities within the Federal Government. She has been instrumental in guiding me to useful resources over our friendship and just a great friend and mentor.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenwingate/

Cassandra Worthy
After discovering the voice of Cassandra Worthy and her passion for Change Enthusiasm, I relaxed my apprehension towards my calling of mastering my story to impact the lives of others. It was something about her that connected me to my heart-centered purpose, and I flowed with it and have not turned back but have begun to master my stagecraft.

Home

Website: www.opua.agency

Instagram: @iamshavonnereed

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/shavonnereed

Twitter: @iamshavonnereed

Facebook: @iamshavonnereed

Youtube: @shavonnereed

Other: www.workplacewellnessspeaker.com/i-am-shavonne-reed www.shavonnereed.com www.futurehealthnow.org

Image Credits
Lori Kay Lauren Reed Rolling Out Magazine