We had the good fortune of connecting with Shardae Shears and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Shardae, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Taking risks are very important to getting started. If you never start you will never know your own potential or the potential of your ideas. taking a risk goes beyond ones comprehension. Thinking of your ideas as a way of helping and potentially healing others can change the trajectory of just getting started. Always keep in mind that someone needs your service or product can change the way you think about getting started.
Taking risks have played a very important role in my life because it allowed my to lean deeper into faith and obedience in all aspects of my life. It has taught me that challenging myself and taking a risk can get me further in life than just settling and not taking a risk at all.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am Shardae Shears (Roberson), born and raised in Kansas City, Mo. I grew up and went to school in the inner city. Graduated as a proud Central High School Eagle. During high school I obtained my Cosmetology certification from Manual Technical Career Center a Vo-tech school. I later went to The University of Central Missouri and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and minor in Health Education (BSE). I worked as an educator for 9 years in various programs, schools and grade levels. In 2012 my life had changed forever, losing the love of my life (late husband) to sense-less violence in my mid-twenties. At that time we had two children ages 4 and 1. I was also a full-time care giver to my disabled father who suffered a traumatic brain injury in the previous year of my husband’s death; which left him paralyzed. So, being young, widowed and a care giver by the age of 27 was extremely challenging and I knew that time was important to the success of my day to day. So, the opportunity of starting something that was once a lifelong dream ultimately became my reality. In 2016, I made the concious decision to leave the education world and fulfill my passion of being a hairstylist full-time so that I could make room for my gift of Event Planning. In 2017, I opened a small and intimate event space located in the historic downtown district of Grandview, Mo which is just south of Kansas City midtown. From there I was able to grow a multitude of businesses; Event Planning company that specialize in small and intimate events, day of coordinating services, event design and decor. I have also started an event consulting service that support aspiring entrepreneurs at the idea phase of their business by preparing them to launch.
I have learned that consistency in everything you do will take you far. Building a team in the initial phase of launching your business is extremely beneficial to the overall growth of the business. Collaboration over Competition has always been my motto. Your connections are your currency and Community is Unity! Without understanding those basic concepts your business can and will only go so far.
If I could give the world something to remember about me and my brand it would be versatility, purpose driven and intentional manifestations of my dreams. I would want them to know that the brand is forever evolving and always seeking to connect and collaborate to make an impact in the community.
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?
If my friend was coming to visit it would be a complete show stopping week of events and activities: Sunday- were headed to brunch at Privee Restaurant & Lounge to grab brunch and good vibes, then wrap up the evening at Society in KC Crossroads District
Monday- we will grab Fresh Juice at Ruby Jeans Juicery in the Troost Corridor, head downtown to check out the downtown morning views of the city, then grab lunch at Grinders in the crossroads KC for a cool laid back unique vibe, by evening we will plan a night at The KC Juke House for Open Mic Night in 18th & vine and grab the amazing catfish meal or wings
Tuesday- we will start our morning at Hi Tides in crossroads district: grab coffee, smoothie bowls, juice etc., then go for a visit at the Nelson Atkins Museum near the plaza, Grab lunch at Cooper’s Hawk and throw in a wine tasting before we sit down, by evening we will take a walk around the Westport district and visit the Clothez Minded Boutique for a lil shopping
Wednesday- we will start our morning at Billie’s Juicery grab a smoothie, then head downtown to The Layla Center for a spa day, afterwards grab lunch at Matties Vegan Eats, rest and later go for live Music at the Green Lady Lounge, have a few cocktails and late night bite at El Pueblito’s in Southwest Blvd
Thursday- Brunch at Lula’s Southern Cook house, go visit the Black Archives Museum and The Negro League Baseball Museum in the 18th & vine District, do a brew hop around downtown KC Breweries and finish the night at Parlor KC open mic night with Euro Production Group. If more fun is necessary we can head over to Ale House in Westport district
Friday- take a brisk morning walk in Loose Park, go shopping for live plants, lunch at Harveys restaurant, enjoy the Crown Center Area and World War 1 Museum, Union Station & Dinner at Soiree in 18th & vine. Enjoy a Ferris Wheel ride at night before heading to the Waldo district bars
Saturday- Explore City Market and take the Street car near union station, go to brunch at Brown & Loe in City Market, do wine tasting at the local winery Wine Works KC, rest and get out for a night of fun at The Lowest Fern in the West bottoms & The Monarch Lounge
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?
I would like to extend gratitude to my maternal and paternal family, my children and community for the support that I have received and the motivation that derives from the various environments and people in which I have had the opportunity to connect with throughout my life journey.
Website: Vivideventskc.com
Instagram: Vivideventskc or Styledbyher_shardaeshears
Facebook: Vivideventskc
Image Credits
Shot by Steven Green