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

Hi Shay, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was terrified to start my own business. I didn’t know where to start or what to do. I would ask people I knew that had a business for some incite and they would say ” Girl don’t do it, its a lot “, but its something about someone telling you NOT TO do something that gives you a rush to do it anyway and I knew starting a business would be hard. It would require some risk to be taken, discipline and commitment, but I was ready for it and I went all in.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The thing that sets me apart the most is my creativity. Some may say ” Its Just Hookah ” but I make sure that I give my customers an experience they will never forget. So yes it just hookah, but when you have 3 girls coming with hookah, flash lights, dancing and all the attention is on you. Its officially a PARTY.

Getting to were I am today wasn’t easy at all. Hookah is so readily available now anywhere you go. There were times I wouldn’t have a booking for months. I would overcome that challenge by offering free hookah, hosting my own parties and serving hookah. Anything to remain busy because giving up isn’t a option.

The lessons I’ve leaned along the way was trusting the process. Sometimes we get so caught in where we are that we overlook the progress. If you would’ve asked me 3 years ago would I be here. The answer would be no. What I can tell you is I am standing in at least 2 of my answered prayers.

I want the world to know that smoking with the hookah junky is an experience. We have fun. Our customers become life long friends and you can’t find this experience anywhere else.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Food : Eddie Vs, Fish Bone, Yard House, HotPot, Hampton social, Coming to America brunch,

Visit: Icon Park, Universal, Disney, Disney Springs, Gatorland

Hangout: LAVA, Cosmo, SideBar, ARIA. Tier

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?
My Aunt Althea is a big part of my success. To me she’s everything a girl could ask for from an Aunt. I can call her about anything. Running a business is trying sometime and giving up seems easy, but every time I would feel like crying, I’d call her and she’d make me laugh and encourage me to keep going. She’s my unpaid therapist. No matter how many crazy Ideas I’d call her with she will tell me to go for it, then I’ll hit her with well I need X amount of money lol her favorite words are ” THE BANK IS CLOSED ” lol I honestly can’t thank her enough for the love and support she’s given me throughout the years. Mrs.G I love you and you are appreciated.

My Best Friend LaGarass. She’s been by my side through it all. the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Everyone needs a friend that’s a phone call away. We’re a package deal. I run all my ideas through her. When you see me, You see her. together we’re force. No matter what I come up with she’s going to support me all the way and she go just as hard as I do about my business. She will tell you about my business before I get a chance to lol that’s the type of friend everyone needs. Every chance I get I tell her how much I appreciate her.

Website: www.TheHookahJunky.com

Instagram: TheHookahJunky

Twitter: TheHookahJunky

Facebook: TheHookahJunky

Image Credits
Credit to Lion_Muhammad on IG. He took the best video of my hookah girls.

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