Meet Shamika Morgan | Healthcare Professional- Registered Nurse, FNP and Event Planning/decorator/ Coordinator

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

Hi Shamika, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
My name is Shamika Morgan, I am a Master prepared Healthcare Professional with a few certifications and who also owns an event planning: decorating business named, “Myrick’s Elegant Event & Decor, LLC”. I have been in healthcare for about 25 years and a nurse for about 20 of those years now and have been decorating for about 14-15 of them.

Born Shamika Myrick and lived in Forsyth, GA until I was 9 years old. At that time my mom got remarried and we moved to Monticello,GA. I graduated from Jasper County Comprehensive Highschool in 1999 and was in the top 10 of my graduating class, I was almost the youngest in the class as I turned 18 exactly 4 weeks before graduation. While attending Highschool I was blessed enough to be one of the first of 2 students who were able to leave school and complete a nursing apprenticeship class at the local hospital/nursing home- the initiator of the course was Mrs Demetria Williams. I also was in an elective class called Health and a club called VICA both taught and led by Mrs Sara Hayes. Mrs Hayes was very influential in my life, I always knew that I wanted to be a nurse and it all started under the teachings of Mrs Hayes. We did hands on skills in her class, she took me to competitions and anything else that I could be a part of. It was in her class that I got my first CPR certification as well as completed the CNA program before I graduated. Two months before graduation even though I had accomplished so much and had all of this going on I still managed to become a teenage mother. My daughter Kennedy was born in February of 1999. Kennedy was my drive and push to make it. Before finding out that I was pregnant, I had already enlisted in the United States Army Reserves and left shortly after graduation. I was gonna use the military to pay for my college as I pursued my nursing degree… My military career was short lived after I got hurt, I was given a general/medical release with an option to come back in 2 years as I refused any surgery. Anyway I came home and applied straight to college, when the next term started in January I was now a college student, I commuted daily. The following year, I had baby #2 Kiarra. This pushed me to get a job and a place of my own. I started working at Walmart and continued going to college, I got an apartment closer to the school as I ended up moving back to Forsyth. With 2 kids and school, I soon took on another job, working as a Nurse Extern at the Medical Center of Central GA. I graduated from the first college (Gordon) with an Associate’s of Science and a minor in Accounting in December of 2003 but had already started at another college Macon State in Macon, GA. While at Macon State- I delivered twin boys (Jaylan & Jaeden) who were premature- born at 25 weeks gestation instead of 40 weeks- they weighed a little over 1lb each. They remained in the NNICU for about 3 months until they were able to come home. I still prevailed and moved from my 2 bedroom apartment into a 4 bedroom house because I needed more space. Despite all of this I still excelled and graduated from Macon State in May of 2005 with an Associate of Science in Nursing. After I was put on bedrest with the twins, I took a leave from Walmart and never returned, only now working at the Medical Center still. From Feb 2004 on I continued working and taking care of my kids. I always had 2-3 jobs at the same time. I took this opportunity and built us a house from the ground up with about 4 acres of land. We moved into the house in April of 2006 which was my birthday present to myself that year. In 2011 I got married to a Preacher- and we divorced after 10 years in October of 2021 but whew it was the most horrible time and experiences of my entire life but knowing that I had already on my own overcome so much- that kept me moving forward. In 2012 I graduated with my third and fourth college degree’s- Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing for FNP( Family Nurse Practitioner). I continued to work and support my kids….. I have done almost everything in nursing that can be done including teaching other nurses, however my specialty was Women’s Health, MedSurg, Case Management and Clinical Documentation

My oldest daughter graduated from Mary Persons High-school in 2017, she went to college at Dalton State and Gordon College and is now a Police Officer, she is married to Quallen Perrigen and they have 3 boys ( Aiden, Kayden and Brayden). My youngest daughter graduated from Mary Persons Highschool in 2018, she attended college at The Albany State University and graduated in 2022 with her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing following after her mother’s footsteps. She is a ICU nurse at Phebe Putney hospital and is married to Brian Williams and they have one son Trystian. My twin boys are now 19 years old- they also graduated from Mary Persons Highschool in 2023. One has completed his first semester of college already and the other one has enlisted in the United States Army but has not left yet.

Through all of the many obstacles I have faced in life, by the grace of God I made it. I am an only child of my mother and stepfather. My mom has not worked since I was born, my stepdad is a retired Master Sergeant from the Army and owns his own Brick, Block, Concrete, Construction company for over 50 years – they still live in Monticello, GA. I have 3 siblings on my dad’s side (twins -1 boy and 1 girl) as well as another son- my dad also has not worked in over 24 years and he lives here in Forsyth.. I am pretty much responsible for my household and I take care of my parents as well. Whenever I feel like giving up, I know it’s not an option, I look at my kids, my parents and my grandkids who all remind me of why I gotta keep going on. They depends on me. My remaining goal is to continue with my 5th and final degree which will be a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), I stopped perusing while my kids attended college, 2 of them have graduated already and this last is attending now… and to be better than the person I was the day before. Without any of this past history, I know that I wouldn’t be the person that I am today

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Myrick’s Elegant Event & Decor, LLC name stemmed primarily from my maiden name. I try to listen to each client and what they desire, the small and large details then take that information and create a vision of elegance. When designing and creating for others I try to create something that I would love and want done for me. We strive to give a realistic price and price payment options based on what services are desired by the client. There is a deposit option and a final payment option- the client can choose to pay however they desire between the 2 dates to get it paid for. I tell all of my clients if you need an extension or something comes up please communicate and talk to me, almost all of the time we can work something out. My business has several different levels- in addition to decorating there is also a rental service and a design/ printing side. We design and or provide backdrop prints for clients, provide rentals for table linens, chair covers, chair sashes, centerpieces, tables, floor wraps, folding chairs, marquee numbers, balloon garlands, column towers, throne chairs, throne bench, kiddie throne chair, flower arrangements, paint and sip setups, picture backgrounds setups just to name a few items.

I think what sets me apart from others is the versatility- I own my own items and I can do everything, so rarely do I have to incorporate other vendors/ I am primarily a one stop shop- I also have a referral list- I have caterers, djs, venues, photographers, sweet treat person, etc that I can refer to my clients if they need help with those services. I personalize, design, print, cut- pictures, programs, invitations, car magnet signs, kiddie items, etc

I am most proud that I have been able to do this business with all 4 of my kids, my daughters and my sons are able to setup any event if anything were to happen to me, this business is a part of my legacy……. Business is often booming so good that I have to turn down events but I do refer them to someone else

I also have taught my niece as well as my friend Sharese how to do certain things. Shares now knows how to construct and orchestrate beautiful balloon garlands and designs. She can now create balloon garlands for people and generate additional income for herself

I got to where I am today by not stopping and by word of mouth and now social media. Free advertisement with social media- I post my work on Facebook, my clients tag me in their thank you and shout outs, many people refer me by mouth to others- I try to do what I can for everyone that I can do it for and as often as I can. Everytime I say I’m gonna stop- I get 50 more bookings and inquiries. It is absolutely not easy to get here considering I work 50-60 hours per week on my full time job and do this as well- I have overcome the challenges by setting dates, deadlines, boundaries and prioritizing what needs to be done and by when, I send out verbal contracts, communicate as often as I can with my clients, I let them all know that they can reach out to me at any time and I will get back to them when I can- call me, text me, email me or direct message me on social media

Lessons learned along the way- business is business, do your best and it will be great everytime. After being left hanging a few times I learned to charge a nonrefundable deposit to everyone, also to get my balance a few weeks before the event because on the day of it’s always some excuse and you won’t get paid. I also learned that people pay others so they can pay you…. There are so many sobb stories and how and why they need a discount but in the end my companies that I order from don’t give me a discount. I learned to not spend my money but use the funds the client gives to purchase what is needed specifically for their event. I learned to put everything in black and white- keep a copy

I want the world to know that I am honest, reliable and fair, I stand on business and my business motto of “We strive to make of your event dreams come true”…. If they can dream it and can pay for it to be done, I can do it

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Being that I’m from middle GA I would probably have to drive up and pick them up from the airport/ we would probably grab something to eat and a few drinks while in the city followed by some dancing and or karaoke 🎤. Eating at restaurants such as Rays in the City, Sweet Ga Juke Joint, Pappedeux, Nouveau Bar &Grill, Milk and Honey, Daiquiri Factory, Stk, Fin & Feathers. One day we will definitely have to go to Underground Atlanta, Centennial Park, State Farm Arena because I love concerts and shows, on Sunday we will go to church at House of Hope Atlanta. If it’s basketball season or football season we can catch a game, do a peach ride through the city on the peddle bike, Bougolou Lounge, King Center

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Mrs Sara Hayes My Kids
My Parents
Best Friends- Sharese Wells and Tracy Dent

Instagram: smyris

Linkedin: Shamika Morgan

Facebook: Shamika MyrickMorgan and Myrick’s Elegant Events & Decor, LLC