Meet Sheena Parker | Business Owner | Army Warrant Officer | Matriarch

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

Hi Sheena, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always been an entrepreneur. However, it’s good to note, there is a difference between being an entrepreneur and running a business. I had been dabbling in Real Estate for a few years when I was approached a few times regarding government contracting. I had to research what government contracting actually was. I wanted to stay in the real estate/ renovation space. I discovered the closest transition from my favorite part of real estate renovations was Facility Support Services. 4SYT Industries was then born.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The 4SYT Industries name is actually an amendment to the 1st name I used when I first started. 4SYT represents my strongest support system. -Myself – “S”heena
-My Daughter – N”y”a
-My Husband – “T”errell
-My Son – “T”errell Jr
The 4 of us is why this company is so successful. We are a Service Disabled Veteran Owned, Woman Owned, Minority Owned Facility Maintenance & Real Estate company. We provide Real Estate and Facility Maintenance services to federal, local and corporate departments. Our services include, but not limited to, janitorial services, pressure washing, facility & property management, landscaping services, painting and more.

What’s different about 4SYT Industries is we have a unique path to success. We work exclusively in the government space as prime contractors. I’ve taken my business from $0 to $100k plus with my first contract. Every document was built and submitted by me; then later my teenaged daughter assisted me doing data entry. In only 3 years, my company was able to pivot during COVID into disinfecting, on the fly, while building tremendous relationships with our government clients. We have been able to triple in the three quarters of 2021 by implementing hard work and having the “foresight” to predict how to adjust and bring in experts to help us scale. Now with a team of 16 employees and 5 contractors, the future is bright. I am up every day at 4am to ensure I am putting in enough work for this business to succeed. I have employees who depend on ME!

None of the roads within any business I have had has been smooth! However, I believe outlook is everything. There were many days I can only describe as pure depression. Other days, of disbelief that such an achievement was happening for me. Sometimes, until you hear another story, you think you are the only business owner silently – or publicly struggling. However, you must take every situation as a beautiful and painful lesson. With the Goldman Sachs Program assisting me with my business, I am now looking for an exit plan!

I am proud to say I am months away from retiring from the US Army as a Signal Warrant Officer after 20yrs in service. I’m very excited to allow that chapter to gracefully close.

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.
I am not a conventional friend. All those close to me know I am IN LOVE with business. My idea of fun is going to a business conference, a business “boot camp” or WeWork or a nice coffee shop and work until all of my outstanding tasks are complete!

If I do go on a non business vaca. It will most definitely be somewhere hot, sexy and with LOTS of tequila!

Jamaica is my favorite vacation spot.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I treat every interaction as an investment. I chose to invest or chose not to. With that, I’m very intention with my circle of friends, family, colleagues and associates. I am so appreciative to those who are currently within my circle. These are people I can bounce ideas off of, talk business with, laugh with, etc. Those who know, know.

I AM reader! There are several books that have changed the way I think about my movements and my business. A couple of those include:
-Profit First
-The Power of Now
-The Secret
-Clockwork
-eMyth Revisited
-Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter

Also, being a Veteran, I’m fortunate to have access to programs for transitioning service members. Organizations like, IVMF, VIP, VEP, BunkerLabs Atlanta, and Goldman Sachs have forever left a mark in my life. These programs also fostered lifelong friendships for me.

Website: www.4sytind.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/4syt_industries

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/sheenaparker

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4syt_industries

Image Credits
PHOTOS BY MEG STAUTBERG