Meet Sheka Saunders | Entrepursuer, Gospel Recording Artist & Designer

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

Hi Sheka, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Honestly, I’ve been business minded since I was about 13 years old. I would take my moms bills and create a spreadsheet with amounts and due dates. At the top of the spreadsheet I would give it the name “Jones Financial Solutions. I can remember my mother working and struggling to raise two little girls. I knew that I did not want that same struggle and was determined to be someone great. As a little girl, I always wanted to be a singer, model and talk-show host. Today, I am amazed how God has taken my desires and have transformed them into who I am and what I do now.

I am a gospel recording artist, graphic designer and clothing brand owner. While I am passionate about everything I do, I will share the thought process behind my clothing brand. Royal Oil started from my desire to create a platform for Christian girls and women to exercise their faith, build their confidence and share the message of Christ through outer garments. Faith and confidence are the leading factors that drive my brand and I want to instill it in every person that I serve. I grew up in a single parent home with very little self-esteem. I was teased and made fun of because I had short hair and wore hand- me -downs. I didn’t have a father figure in my home to validate my beauty or impart the confidence that many girls get from their dads. It was not until I came into relationship with Christ that I really began to see my true identity. I want women to know their worth and not allow people, status, or society to dictate who they are or what they can become. I want them to walk bold and confident in their God-given purpose and empower them to leave an imprint in the earth.

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.
As a gospel recording artist, I love creating music that captures hearts and soothes the soul. I like to think of my voice as a soulful sound with a bit of jazz that draws the listener in to hear and feel the expression of the music and lyrics. What sets me apart is my ability to express many layers of who I am in my music. Not only do I sing the lyrics, I write the lyrics, I record the lyrics and create the visual elements behind each single and music video. I am most excited about how I have persevered and the journey ahead. Last year, I released 3 singles and 2 music videos. The road has been far from easy, but I have overcome my challenges with practice, prayer and faith. Practice has helped me overcome insecurities. You’ve probably heard the saying, “Practice makes perfect”. I would disagree, but I do believe it makes progress! Prayer has given direction and allowed me to lean into my “why”. Faith has been what allowed me to hope and believe when I couldn’t see how or what this journey would look like.

Here are a few lessons I have learned along the way:

1. Change your Mind, Change your Life.
The biggest problem for many people is that they don’t think right. I’ve learned that as much as I want something, it never becomes until I gave life to it by what I said and how I pursued it. Changing my mind is a daily process, it require me to denounce doubt, overcome fear and BELIEVE regardless of the conditions I may be in.

2. Timing is everything.
Nobody wants to wait. We want everything when we want it. I learned to enjoy the evolving process. Seeing me become who I am versus who I was 5 or 10 years ago is everything. Taking hold of something prematurely could cause detriment to your success. I believe it is in waiting that our character is developed and we learn how better deal with challenges that we are faced with.

3. You have to put in the work.
As a Christian entrepreneur a huge element that drives us is faith. However, faith with no work has no result. In becoming an artist, I learned it required more than just being a singer. It took soul work, it required me to dig inside to pull out all the elements of who I am and where I’ve been in order to create music that give others a glimpse of it. It take long nights, practice and more practice, but the reward in the end is great,

When its all said and done, I aspire to write my signature on the earth by infecting the world with God’s love and sharing music that brings life. I want my art to bring healing, deliverance, empowerment and self worth to those who have been broken and chained by hurt, disappointment and insecurities.

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 live in a small town called Toano which is about 15 minutes from Williamsburg, VA. Williamsburg is known for Busch Garden, Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown, the first English settlement in the Americas, Tourist visit the city all year long because of the history it shares in becoming America.

To be honest though, because I have lived here all my life and do not find the city so interesting, I would most likely visit Busch Garden and travel to Virginia Beach, Richmond and Washington, DC for most of the trip.

Our trip would involve lodging at one of Williamsburg’s resorts, the Virginia Crossing Tapestry Hotel in Richmond Virginia and a Marriott or Hilton in Washington, DC. I love staying at the resort because it has a full kitchen, jacuzzi tubs, living room area and ground amenities like golf, indoor swimming, movies and game nights.

The Virginia Crossing hotel offers a bit of history in that each building is named after a US President, The rooms are very nice and I love that the grounds offer several places to take beautiful photos. The hotel also offers a deluxe buffet breakfast and is close to restaurants and shopping,

Lodging would also involve a Marriott or Hilton hotel as they are my preferred brand of hotel accommodations.

Favorite Things to do in/near Williamsburg, VA

Entertainment: Busch Gardens and Water Country in Williamsburg, Virginia, Movie Tavern: Dine in Movie Theatre

Spiritual: Bethel Restoration Center…We have to visit my church

Restaurants: Opus 9, Food for Thought, Mr. Boil

Favorite Things to do in/near Virginia Beach, VA

The beach… The Boardwalk is filled with restaurants, shops and museums, boat tours, art and entertainment. I also enjoy looking at the street murals painted on buildings in the NEON District./Norfolk VA

Favorite Things to do in/near Richmond Virginia…
Entertainment: Dave and Busters, King’s Dominion, The Funny Bone (comedy shows)

Restaurants: Book Binders, The Melting Pot, Lee’s Chicken

We would also do a day trip to Washington, DC to visit the National African American Museum filled with lots of history and culture.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am who I am only because of God. He makes all things possible! My mother Margaret Washington has supported me, corrected me, loved me and strengthened me in my weakest moments. Without her dedication of love I would not be what I have become. I am also grateful for my Bishop, John N. Gray and Bethel Restoration Center. From the age of three years old, I was given the opportunity to freely exercise my gift of music. I don’t know if I would have become the artist that I am today without being pushed to the forefront. Lastly, Karen Jenkins has been a dedicated sister and friend. She has empowered my life in so many ways. Her words of encouragement and wisdom has helped guide me and build my confidence in God’s purpose for my life. In the times when I couldn’t believe for myself, she believed for me. When I could not fight for my self, she did for me. She has been the sister I needed to walk out my assignment.

Website: www.royaloilfashion.com, udzconsulting.com, iamsosheka.com

Instagram: @royaloilfashion, @iamsosheka

Facebook: @royaloilfashion, @iamsosheka

Youtube: @iamsosheka

Image Credits
Sellers Media Karen Jenkins