Meet Innovative Woman Shauna Weatherspoon, founder of SIS CEO and an Author, Speaker, Trainer and Visionary.
1. How/why did you begin your business?
The “lightbulb” went off for me when I was in my late 20’s and working very hard to climb the corporate ladder. I have always been in some form of a sales and management role, and as we all know, it can be very demanding & deadline driven at all times ( which I thrive from most of the time). At this particular time, this major corporation I represented was kicking off their biggest annual sales campaign & unfortunately at the same time, my youngest child was sick, I had just found out I had to have a hysterectomy & my close friend’s mother died of cancer. I was not approved to take off for the funeral because my friend’s mother was not immediate family. I could not get time off to take my daughter to the doctor, due to this “major” campaign & they were not pleased that I needed time off to have surgery. I politely told my manager who’s job was her life, I would return back to work after attending the funeral. I left out for my surgery shortly after that knowing I had no plans of returning. I put my plan together and became a real estate broker through a home self study program while out on sick leave an became a certified speaker and trainer as well during the interim. I vowed to never allow any job to determine my life or those I love again…I would create my own path.
2. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge to date has been having to help make the decision to remove my brother from life support and bury him in 2009. We lost my Grandfather to Alzheimer’s disease on the same day, less than 3 hours later. Our family was left devastated and I was angry that he had been taken away from us at such a young age. It truly took all my desires out of life away for an extended period of time. I felt like the “walking dead” and from what my loved ones tell me, evidently I looked like it too. I had lost my passion for living. My relationship with God soon became stronger and closer than ever through my darkest days. Through much love and support from my closest family and friends, I decided to close my real estate business, which no one in a million years could have ever told me that would happen and venture into life insurance & financial services. I found that by helping educate others (primarily women) on the importance of protecting their futures & businesses, in turn helped me to start living again and find my new found passion.
3. How do you define SUCCESS?
Defining success throughout the years has changed for me after having success in many areas and many failures in some business endeavors. These days, I would like to believe I am more wiser in all areas of my life both professionally & personally, so I truly believe success starts within. To me, it means you have joy, peace & balance in your life. You truly enjoy the work that you do and that meaningful work allows you to help others grow and develop in their areas of expertise. To wake up everyday and do what you love for a living & are passionate about defines success. Most importantly, I define success by having a great relationship with my husband & our family – something as simple as hearing laughter in our home on a regular basis confirms for me we are right on track.. No matter how busy I am, I always make quality time for my family and friends. Guiding my children through their high school & college years for me personally has been one of my greatest successes- shaping them into great individuals is my #1 priority. I am building LEADING LADIES who will help build up the next generations of leading ladies! That’s WINNING in my book!
4. If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be?
The one thing I wish I understood earlier on when I began my business is to not allow your mistakes to defeat nor define you. Mistakes and past failures is where we learn our greatest lessons. Your challenges are designed in life period to help prepare you for what’s next. Be very clear about your expectations of yourself and others from the start, but don’t get so consumed in all the details of your business that you are no longer enjoying it or life anymore. You are either running your business. or your business is running you! As women, we are responsible for so many things, but never lose sight that you, your health & well being should be at the top of your priority list too at all times. Know your worth, find your balance and don’t compromise it once you achieve it. Get rid of the “microwave mentality” in thinking how we want everything in our business to happen for us like yesterday! Our businesses are truly our “babies”, so understand the time and attention it will take through the years to grow, nurture and sustain it.
5. What makes you an innovative woman?
I am always reinventing myself. I stay surrounded by great & like minded people who continue to push me to new heights and I am not afraid to take risks. The work I do with motivating professional women through speaking and training engagements as well as empowering our young ladies, keeps me on my toes at all times! I want to continue to grow in knowledge while exploring opportunities I am passionate about. I thrive off being in the “thick of things” and I never allow others to define for me my limits of success or in my abilities, I can have it all – not just at the same time!
To find out more about Shauna, visit her website sisceo.homestead.com or connect with her on Facebook.
Shauna is also the Today’s Innovative Woman City Director for Chicago, visit her City Page to find out more!
Very inspirational. Great read