When I was at, “A Night with Oprah” on April 13, she said something which struck a chord with me.  Well, she said a lot of things that I, in my head responded, “Oh yah!” “Amen!” “That’s right!” “Preach!” She shared with us how as a little girl she would speak in front of her church. She knew she loved to do what she does now, even as a child.

Each of us are called and created to do very specific things. Throughout our lives, there is a common thread linking our experiences from childhood into adulthood. If we listen and follow the thread(s), it will usually take us to a place as adults where we spent time as a child. Take a moment, think back… what is your thread?

Of course, in true Shash’s Go-Big or Go-Home style,  I have more than one thread…

As a kid, I played “Business Owner” with my baby sister. We’d have a store or office, own a restaurant, etc. In elementary school, we came up with our own jewelry line (my daughter’s middle name, Shalise, was what we called our line, a combination of Shannon and Lise). We never played we worked at someone’s company, it was always our own. We were the bosses… or gymnasts. HA! 🙂 I was Nadia Comăneci & she was Teodora Ungureanu. Didn’t all children of the ’70s want to be famous Romanian athletes??! Yes, we were also performers!

My other thread… as a kid, I’d share Jesus with people and pray for them. I remember baptizing my sister in our bathtub at least a few dozen times. I had vivid dreams which would come true, taught Sunday school, helped anyone who crossed my path, was a leader among my peers, and was a super-charged Social Butterfly.

As a child, I was an entrepreneurial preacher-girl!

I come by being an entrepreneur honestly. My parents are entrepreneurs. Over the last 40 years of my life, they have started, bought, and sold various businesses. Everything from an architectural/interior design firm to a women’s clothing store, to a property management company, and most recently a restaurant/bakery and catering business. Some have succeeded and some haven’t, but that never stopped them from trying again.

Some say entrepreneurship is hereditary, something built into a person’s DNA. Scientific studies have shown that a parent who is an entrepreneur increases the tendency of their child to become an entrepreneur by about 60%.

Just as my parents have taken risks with new businesses over the years, so have I. A few of them have cost us but I get back up and try again, that is the entrepreneur in me. I’ve always been like that. It’s not that I haven’t “learned my lesson” but because I know… one of these days… it’ll pay off.

I’m like that crazy inventor who tried 1,000 times to make one light bulb work or that man who built a big boat in the middle of the desert. I may do some crazy things that aren’t fully understood by all, but it’s in me to at least try.

Over the last couple of years, life’s had more rough patches than usual but I had an epiphany at the beginning of 2013, I wasn’t going to allow the negative darts to continue to bring me down. I’d had enough, so I said out loud to myself and to others, “THIS IS GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR!”  

My latest adventure ties all of my threads together.

From Speaking in South Africa in front of 2,000 people to Social Sparkle, Engagement & Amplification Opps

I truly feel I am doing what I was called and created to do. I am a Marketplace Leader. Yes, I am married to a preacher-man, which makes me a Pastor’s Wife, I am a fantastic preacher/speaker in my own right. I have a deep desire to see people reach their full potential in all areas of their life! I am also a businesswoman whose latest business venture, SPLASH media engagement, is keeping me on my toes, taking me to new heights, and introducing me to some really awesome people.

I am not one or the other. I am both. I am an entrepreneurial preacher-girl. 🙂

There are a few people and brands I’ve worked with in the past couple of years who really stand out as supportive, encouraging, bright lights, helping me see the way… besides my parents… like, the founders of BlissDom and BlissDom Canada, Alli, Barbara & Paula, they helped me fall deeply in love with social media, this online community and all the awesome it can bring. 

But most of all, without the 110% support I receive from my husband… none of this would even be remotely possible! You won’t go far without a good, solid team behind and beside you, giving you the tools you need and cheering you on!

So raise a glass with me… here’s to a fantastic year!!!