Meet Shera Rowley

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shera Rowley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Shera, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

At one point in time, we were newlyweds with two children, and our baby had just been diagnosed with cancer. The initial shock was overwhelming. I remember sitting in the hospital room, feeling the world crashing in. Our first steps were to figure out how to keep our child alive, which involved countless hospital visits and learning medical jargon overnight.

Our life events immediately put us into fight mode. As a young family, we were trying to figure out how to keep our child alive, keep ourselves alive, and function through it all. Despite feeling heavy and deep in the world, I could always see there was light. I looked around and saw people worse off than us, which gave me hope.

We did everything we could to come out of it. We delivered newspapers at 4 AM, delivered pizzas, and worked multiple jobs, rarely sleeping. It took several years, but I learned the importance of working smarter, not harder, to physically change our situation.

I remember one night, after having our third baby, I was at my store at 3 AM with my baby in a playpen beside me. My arm spasmed as if I was having a stroke, and I became physically sick. I looked down at my baby and realized I was unhealthy, constantly working, and living off caffeine and naps. At that moment, I knew I had to change. I decided to walk away from my business and get a 9-to-5 job.

However, that wasn’t true to my core. After a couple of years, I realized I was a business person. I decided to go back into business for myself but with a completely different approach. I focused on building a business, not just creating a job. I immersed myself in hiring business coaches and reading every recommended book. I created a new business, structured differently from my original one. Now, I have employees who help me, I’m happy, and I can work from anywhere with a laptop. From the core of our struggles, I knew I was meant to do more.

Today, the lessons from that challenging period continue to shape my life. I approach every obstacle with the belief that there’s always a way out and a light at the end of the tunnel. This mindset has been essential in both my personal life and professional career, helping me to stay optimistic and proactive in the face of adversity.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

**Our Story and Focus:**

At 7degrees, we’re all about building a community and designing for women to help them feel amazing and empowered. Our mission is to bring joy back into their lives through our clothing. We live by the phrase “living life in color and comfort.” Our goal is to remind you of what lights you up and to bring you back to that feeling, so you can be empowered and know you are worthy of amazing things.

7degrees is an Idaho-based company growing as fast and as smart as we can. We’re expanding our collection with exciting new pieces, such as fashion t-shirts to complement our beloved hoodies. We want to be a brand that makes you feel good, shows up, and makes you smile with confidence.

As a self-funded brand, we are moving into our next phase of growth and are thrilled about the future. We just moved into a 2,400 square foot warehouse and are already filling up the racks with our latest designs.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Skills and advice
Focus on efficiency and balance to avoid burnout. 1. Work Smarter, Not Harder**: One of the most impactful skills I’ve learned is the importance of working smarter, not harder. You don’t get ahead by exhausting yourself and being absent from the most important people around you. Balance and efficiency are key.

Build skills with the long-term vision of creating a sustainable business. 2. Build for Growth**: It’s crucial to build skills that promote growth. From the book “E-Myth,” I learned the concept of building a business, not a job. At first, you have to put in the work and learn the necessary skills. Understanding how things work means you’ll know how to fix them when they break. However, it’s important to grow out of those roles and delegate as your business expands.

Embrace failures as learning opportunities and remain adaptable.
3. Embrace Failure and Pivot**: Don’t be afraid to fail and pivot. If this is where you want to be, you’ll find a way to make it happen, and failure is part of that growth. Learn from your mistakes and move on. Be open to taking both wins and losses as valuable lessons.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

A business coach and their communities have been incredibly helpful in my journey. Especially if you’re in business by yourself, you need someone who has already succeeded to help you lay the right foundation. They’ve already navigated past the learning curves.

Of course, you need to develop the skills that apply directly to your business, but it’s crucial to surround yourself with fighters and go-getters. You’ll find that some people move slower than others, and if they’re holding you back or slowing you down, gravitate towards those who push you forward.

I’ve heard it said that you are one question away from what you need. Ask questions, take advice, and see if it fits your business or needs adjustment. There’s immense value in having a business coach, as they can help you learn and move faster towards building the business or future you want.

Also, make sure they are positive people who speak kindly about those around them. It’s important to find the right coach who will educate you and make you feel comfortable asking questions and receiving feedback. Some of my best friends in buisness have been found in coaches communities- Which helps you feel like you are not doing it alone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shop7degrees.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shop7degrees
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shop7degrees
• Linkedin: shop7degrees

Image Credits

Brekke Felt