We had the good fortune of connecting with Shequana Jenkins and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Shequana, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
That’s a great question. Starting EditHer Now, LLC was divinely created and inspired composing of three words describing my former work environment, experience, and present timing of my calling in life. Given my personal and professional life, I was graced to enter rooms, in which I was surrounded by and worked with predominantly women. Although, working at different companies, they always gravitated towards me to tell their stories, such as searching for job opportunities, resumes updates, help to mentally process current events within a culture/community, write letters for house approval, communicate effectively in relationships, to personal matters. Literally, they’d become transparent and share private matters with me.
So just like an editor, I’d select a particular scene or chapter in her life story that had an impact on her, offer a higher perspective, and help her to tell her story from a place of value (so that she can add value to others), rather from a place of victimization. Just as every business enjoys the concept of storytelling to brand themselves and engage their audience, I realized that every woman likes to communicate using the written word or spoken word through storytelling to brand themselves and engage others, yet struggles to do so. That’s how Edither Now was conceived.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart from others is that, within my personal and professional life, I’ve been graced with a distinct ability to collaborate with young high achieving single women who lack the confidence to elevate to their next level. I offer support and strategies to be more confident in telling their story, by aligning their personal brand with their professional brand.
I am most excited about creatively collaborating with young high achieving single women and growing a purposeful community with them that is willing to grow and ready to go to their next level with confidence in my coaching program, which is launching this year during Fall 2021.
Prayer, intentionality, obedience, endurance, and other values and principles, such as commitment and discipline have been some key elements to get me where I am today.
During a global pandemic pioneering a new business or a business, in general, isn’t for the faint of heart or emotionally driven, However, being spiritually grounded, teachable, possessing a growth mindset and higher perspective gave me the strength to overcome challenges. Also, relying on internal beliefs, values, and principles caused me to view challenges as opportunities for change and growth. The focus became more about improving personally and professionally. It makes the journey worthwhile.
There are so many lessons that I’ve learned thus far. However, the gift of time and how it is to be used is my greatest lesson. Time is constantly going, moving, and changing—it’s an investment, not an expense. I consider it as the most valuable asset and gift that is presented with limitations. Yet, it doesn’t stop for anyone. So, I must make sure that I’m intentional with each second of it, going, changing, moving, and growing with it. The more I invest in becoming or doing anything with it, the more I’ll receive a return from it–good or bad. Therefore, I have to stay focused, stay committed, stay disciplined, and never quit.
What I want the world to know about my brand and story is that becoming a confident woman in telling your personal or professional story is vital. When a woman shows up in confidence in her personal or professional life it adds value and makes a meaningful mark on others. Like many women, I struggled with being confident in my mid-twenties and early thirties. It required effort and intentionality on my part to develop it more and get out of my own way so that I could support others as a storyteller consultant. I am currently finishing my new book, which is releasing this Fall, September 2021. The mission is to help young women become more confident through personal development and growth to elevate to their next level in life and business, and them, in turn, influencing others too.
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?
For starters, we would enjoy a day with my family eating my mom’s or granny’s southern soul food dishes (depending on the season) while being entertained by family and close friends. Next, we would have brunch at Sun in My Belly, then travel to Dunwoody or Buckhead for a nice day of shoe shopping at the mall to later attend a local music and arts event. Ending the trip, it’ll be a no guts, no glory, fun, and games day. First enjoying our favorite coffee/tea drinks and pastries at a cafe, then traveling to Andretti or Project Escape Room. Lastly, we’d attend Sunday service following brunch at Atlanta Breakfast Club.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Of course, yes absolutely. For starters, I thank God for gracing me with gifts, abilities, talents, and skills to help and collaborate with others to bring value to their lives. In addition, there are so many who have played a major role in the development, training and growth stages that led to success in my life, which are my current or former leaders, coaches, family, and close friends. And last, but not least, my social media family. Thank you all so much for the genuine support and encouragement. Sincerely, I appreciate it.
Website: www.edithernow.com
Instagram: instagram.com/shequana and instagram.com/edithernow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shequana.jenkins.92
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDGHziMQbFM
Image Credits
canva.com images