Meet Shamara Star” Cox | TV Producer + Business Content Coach”

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shamara “Star” Cox and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shamara “Star”, how do you think about risk?
I used to be afraid to take risks because I was so accustomed to my “comfy life.” The only problem with comfort is that I felt like I was settling and I wasn’t living a purposeful life. Until finally I stepped out on faith. And that faith step led me to take the biggest risk of my career. See, I worked in television for a decade, and I still felt overlooked, undervalued, and underpaid. It seemed that no matter how high I advanced there was always a glass ceiling I’d never reach. But then one day, God said to me, “Quit your job.” And of course I thought that was bizarre, because I didn’t have another job lined up. But the pressures of my career was getting to me. I just felt like I was not being afforded certain opportunities that my other colleagues were. The last straw was when I submitted yet another idea, it was accepted, but I was rejected from implementing it. I was furious. That’s when I knew that staying at my job was no longer an option. And I took God up on His offer. This was January 2020. Now I was afraid. I still remember, pacing my floor, hyperventilating, and crying thinking I made a mistake. But in the midst of my fear, I could hear God say: “It’s too late to go back. Only forward.” And I’m happy that I listened because one year later I started my business and at the close of 2023, I had made 6 figures. That’s more than I’d ever made working a 9 to 5. And the best part is I’m actually transforming lives with my video content. When I chose to take a risk I chose purpose over comfort. Faith over fear. And soaring over settling.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m a business content coach where I teach entrepreneurs how to create binge worthy content that attracts and converts their followers into customers. Why binge worthy? Because whatever you binge you buy lol. I leverage over a decade of TV industry knowledge, coupled with Bible Marketing Secrets to help my clients stand out on social media in order to be a blessing to their audience, attract customers to their page in order to transform their lives, and sell confidently on camera in order to create generational wealth.

Starting my business was not easy because I was AFRAID! I didn’t want to do the whole “hustle thing” and I didn’t want to be well into my 50s still tryna “figure it out.” But I had a choice to make. Settle or Soar! I chose to soar because I was tired of living in the environment that I was living in. So in order to overcome my challenges, there were mindsets that I needed to shift. There was a constant thought that “I can’t do it.” So I needed to visualize my end goal. What did I want from my business? Focusing on my end goal gave me the courage to keep going. I also changed my speech. I once watched a video by Myron Golden who said: “If you don’t like your environment change your words” and so I did. Everything I have now I spoke it into existence and worked for it.

The lessons I learned over the last couple of years are:
“You can do it if you put your mind to it.”
“Faith without works is dead.”
Whatever I put my mind to I can do. This is big for me because for a long time I didn’t believe that about myself. But I literally watch this happen in my life over the last couple of years. Once I got out of my own way and I focused on getting things done in my business I saw success.
And Faith without works is dead: I couldn’t do this without God’s leading. But I recognized that only praying wouldn’t bring the success. I need to do the work too.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is such a great questions. I’m a New Yorker! And I LOVE New York. So here’s a list of things to do when you come to visit. Fair warning, because I’ve lived here all my life there won’t be a lot of touristy things on this list and we’ll most likely enjoy time in the tristate area.

Day one we’ll head to Brownstone Pancake in Jersey. You’re probably wondering why we’re going out of state, but they have an amazing batch of gluten free pancake (I have lots of food allergies) and it tastes amazing.
Next up, since we’re already in Jersey, we’ll head to Sojo Spa for a day of relaxation. I love going here with friends just to relax and enjoy the infinity pool.

Day 2 we’re off to my favorite winery in Pennsylvania – Blue Ridge. It has a beautiful view of their winery, we get to learn about the grapes and enjoy live entertainment.

Day 3 we’re spending a day in Westchester. I love going to Mamaroneck to my fave Mediterranean Cafe – Roaster Cafe. Where we can enjoy their lamb with rice and salad.
Then we’re taking a walk on main street to explore the shops that are there until we get to the park where we can sit and chat

Day 4 we’re off to Manhattan. There’s sooo much to do, but we’ll start in Harlem at Ricardos for Brunch. There’s unlimited drinks and the food is delicious.
Then we’ll head to the flat iron district to walk the flower district. The path is breathtaking. And then we’re off to Union Square where we can sit in the park watch live entertainment from locals. Depending on the time of the year we’ll be able to access the Farmer’s Market to purchase some fresh grown produce. And head over to Liquiteria for some vanilla chia seed puddings.
We’ll head back up to 230 5th to enjoy drinks on one of the coolest rooftops in Manhattan. Depending on the time of year we could rent an igloo and enjoy NYC’s skyline.
Then instead of taking the train back home, we’ll hop in a cab to ride up the FDR. It is a beautiful view at night. We truly get to enjoy it as we glide through the highway.

Day 5 we’re staying local. We’re heading to Original Pancake house for more gluten free pancakes lol. Then we’ll head to Wave Hill Park in the North West Bronx to take pictures at the beautiful view. We have a picnic and enjoy nature on a beautiful sunny day. And then for dinner we’re heading to the Best Jamaican Restaurant in the Bronx, which is Fish n Ting. The food is fresh and always delicious. I’m Jamaican so I love eating from restaurants that remind me of my family’s cooking.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have a long list of shout out, you may want to grab some wine for this lol: I’d love to thank my mom because she has been my number 1 cheerleader from the start. She didn’t judge me when I quit my job she just trusted that God was leading. Without her support I don’t think I would’ve had the faith to keep going.

I’d love to shout out my former supervisor and good friend, Myra Johnson. God used her to speak a word to me that I still live by today. In my darkest moment when I felt stuck in my career she said, “Bet on yourself. If you don’t bet on you no one else will.” And I’ve been betting on myself ever since.

I’d love to shout out my very first business coach, Natalie Taylor. God used her to show me how to build a profitable business. But most importantly, she saw me healed when I couldn’t see myself healed. And it’s because of her methodologies that I was able to build a 6 figure business.

I’d love to shout out Myron Golden, my second business coach because God used him to show me what was possible in my life. I NEVER thought a Christian could be a millionaire. And I never thought I could be one until I enrolled in Myron’s program and he showed me what’s possible.

I have so many more people to thank but I’m going to do it like this: Desirae King (my sales coach), A. Fitz Hardnett (my friend and marketing team), Laquore Meadows (my Soror + Trading Stocks/Options Coach), Lillie Mae (my PR coach), my family who supported me through all my ups and downs, and my ministry family of Whisper: Hearing God who is always praying for me and reminding me what God can do for you when you trust Him.

Website: www.bookofstar.com

Instagram: @bookofstar_

Facebook: @bookofstar

Youtube: @bookofstar

Other: TikTok: @bookofstar

Image Credits
Christopher Hall of Thomas Claude Photography