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

Hi Shonda, what matters most to you?
Keeping a genuine spirit and authenticity are the values that matter the most to me. In this society we’ve been trained to look, act, & speak a certain way! After being in corporate America for years and seeking the approval of others & constantly trying to climb a ladder; I’ve learned to stay true to who I am and just be myself!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I have had a few hobbies that turned into business ventures and I feel as if they’ve prepared me for my current business in the loc industry. I was an accountant in the medical field for 10+ years until last year I started to feel overwhelmed and I just knew God had something else for me to do. I literally woke up one morning & quit my job without a plan. I found a salon and handed out flyers and I’ve been busy every day going forward. I stepped out on faith, scared? Yes! I decided to give it my ALL! It doesn’t even feel like I’m working, that’s how I know I’m on the right path! This journey has built character changes and I’ve learned that everyone isn’t going to be happy for you but you will find your tribe that will support you to the fullest! I want the generations under me to know that you can do and have anything you want despite what you’ve endured and to never put limitations on yourself!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
God, The I Am, deserves all the credit for where I am in life today!

Instagram: @sheisamazinglocs

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.