Interview with Sherilyn M. Bennett

INTERVIEW WITH THE CEO/FOUNDER CAMDEN LANCE CREATIVE AGENCY & LEAP SHERILYN MICHELLE BENNETT

Alright ladies, we had a chat with the powerful young

woman. She is the CEO of Camden Lane Creative Agency. She is the Founder of LEAP! Birth. Brand + Build 4 Women. She is both a Minister of the Gospel see what she has to say to women in the marketplace. How did LEAP begin? LEAP! was birthed from my desire to educate and empower my clients on branding. I was finding that many of my clients who contacted me were confused and frankly a little intimidated by the branding process.

and an Author. She is Sherilyn Michelle Bennett. Let’s back. In addition I am a minister and so I was led to

My creative agencies clientele is 95% women, so I thought this would be a wonderful way of giving merge business and faith.

When you say merge business and faith how does that

translate or look? Please elaborate.

What is the VISION behind LEAP? My vision for LEAP is simple. To educate and inspire women and faith to apply Godly character and principles when running their companies. Women of Faith shouldn't be afraid of bringing their faith into the marketplace.

Tell me about Camden lane, and some of the people/ organizations or businesses you have worked with.

Camden Lane Creative Agency is a full-service corporate design agency. I have been in this industry for over 20 years beginning my career in the news arena. We bring all of my experience in branding and graphic design to the table for my clients. My clien-

tele is wonderful it includes, Award-winning gospel artist Jekalyn Carr, Beverly Crawford, Evangelist Latrice Ryan, Chef Shacafrica Simmons, the winner of Food Network's Chop and I recently did book branding for Africa Miranda. Camden Lane is the home of strong female brands. What advice would you give to young women starting a career in media (any form of media)? There are three main things I tell women who are new in their industry, trust your instinct and find a mentor and be patient. If you don't trust yourself to make the hard decisions you will be second guessing all of your life. Secondly, finding someone who has done it before. this will make your life a lot easier. There are many wonderful mentors out there waiting to pour into you. Be patient, don't rush the process. Hard work and perseverance will get you there. Go for it! Tell me about Sherilyn Bennett, the woman behind LEAP.

Sherilyn is an award-winning graphic designer and brander. I am also mom to two wonderful guys, Kenneth who coaches football and Morehead State and Devonte who is a high school football coach. Most importantly I am a woman of faith. I was ordained last year and I stay on the road doing ministry. It can be tiring but I am called to it. I am about to turn 50

years old and I would say, yes, I am the woman I always dreamed of. I am whole and not broken and

strive to walk alongside my sisters. Together we can take the land.

Give me three things you want women to take away from this year's event.

I would like women to take away the fact that God desires to give them success. That by faith they can have what they say. Secondly, I want them to feel educated enough to run their own businesses. We have had attorneys; therapists and many others start their own practices because they attended LEAP!

with their husbands. We've had authors publish multiple books. When they return to their daily lives they should be able to legally and properly run their companies. We have over 14 speakers at LEAP and 10 educational sessions. Education is key! Finally, I want them to feel true sisterhood and to understand that they are not alone on their entrepreneurial journey. I want them to leave with a sense of community and support.

You are a woman of faith, so do you attribute faith in God to your success in this industry? Yes! I was pushed into entrepreneurship after receiving a pink slip from my job. I had to muster all of the faith I had not to return to the corporate world. I attribute my faith to the fact that 4.5 years later I am

easy but that is where your faith in God comes in. I also depend on God to guide me whether that is in the boardroom or my room. I feel I can connect to my clients so well because I do things with Kingdom excellence.

What is a normal day like for Sherilyn? A normal day for me starts at 9AM and I use the early morning time for prayer. I take care communication with my clients and talk to contractors if I needed. I actually do design and branding throughout the day

and on certain evenings I do Brand strategy sessions with clients. My company is growing fast so I know soon I will need to bring additional artist on board.

How did you know that LEAP was a part of God's plan for your life, and how has it changed your life? To be honest, I didn't know at first. It was the women who attended the first LEAP that helped me understand that it was. They have taken LEAP and built a community of women who love God and love each other. I always say, I didn't even know I was pregnant with this wonderful baby. Those 125 women changed

my life. LEAP! has certainly changed me as a business owner, mentor and advocate for women of faith in business. I love this brand because it is ordained by God for community and Kingdom purpose.