Small Business spotlight with Shawanna Bryant by Terri Shayne Women are stepping out on faith and launching their own business every day. Meet Shawanna Bryant, owner of Shawanna Realty Group of Keller Williams Realty Infinity Chicagoland Area. She has been in the real estate business for six years. What makes Shawanna different from her competitors is that she cares about her clients. She is sincere and compassionate about getting the goal accomplished for her clients. Shawanna’s clients have described her in three words that define who she is to them. Her clients describe Shawanna as dedicated, passionate, and supportive. When you decide to go into business for yourself, there are obstacles that owners are faced with; however, it’s how you handle those obstacles is what sets you apart from others and grounds the foundation of your business. For Shawanna, there have been two obstacles in her path. The first being a woman of color in today’s business. She also is faced with the fact that men don’t’ take her as seriously as they should. She is a pit bull for her clients no matter the gender or color. The second obstacle is being a southern bell in the Midwest for some of her clients find that Shawanna’s southern politeness is fake or too much for them. She said, “I was taught to treat others the way I wanted to be treated and that was treated with respect and acknowledge. “ As Shawanna embarks on the road of entrepreneurship, she has six tips for women who desire to launch their own small business. • •
• • • •
If God gave you the dream or vision YOU CAN ACHIEVE it. Hire a coach that has walked the walk who can understand your perception and level of your vision. TD Jakes explained it best; if you are a giraffe you can’t share your vision with an ant… Never lose yourself and don’t take no for an answer. DON’T QUIT and you will never fail. Create the Vision/goal board and focus on it. Pour into others along the way, the mission is complete if you help others the world is bigger than YOU.
Where to find Shawanna to learn more about her business? You can find her on her website at www.shawannabryant.com or on Facebook at
Page 22
