Meet Shana Farr

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shana Farr a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Shana, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

Resilience has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. From a young age, I’ve always pushed myself to be the best I could be (with encouragement from my parents)—whether in school, music, acting, dance, writing, or anything I set my mind to. That drive still fuels me today.

The journey hasn’t been easy. I’ve developed a thick skin and learned that nothing happens unless you put yourself out there. If one path doesn’t work, I pick myself up and try another. It’s simple to say but much harder to practice—especially when things don’t go as planned. But if I truly believe in something, I keep going.

Like everyone, I have that little voice of doubt whispering, Just give up. No one likes your idea. It’s not good enough. I’ve learned to silence it with positive energy, supportive friends, and smaller goals I can achieve while working toward the bigger ones. Resilience isn’t about never struggling—it’s about choosing to move forward anyway.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I consider myself multi-passionate—a term that perfectly encapsulates my journey. Music and theater have been at the heart of my life since childhood, eventually becoming a career. But an unexpected parallel path emerged when I moved to New York City. My first 11 years here were spent in the luxury and fine fashion jewelry industry, where I thrived in product development, design, and brand development—all while continuing my training as a singer and actress, performing in musicals and operettas throughout the city.

As more performance opportunities came my way, I left the corporate jewelry world to pursue my artistic career fully. Since then, I’ve had the honor of performing in renowned venues such as New York City Center, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall, and Westminster Abbey in London. Yet, I found myself missing the hands-on creativity of jewelry design and creating jewelry that was meaningful. Rather than choosing between my passions, I embraced them both, launching two brands that reflect my artistic vision while performing…and becoming a mother.

One of my brands is Pure Imagination (www.shanafarrdesigns.com), where I create fine jewelry pieces that are unique and tell a story. But my newest and most personal project is The Baby Promise (www.TheBabyPromise.com), a brand born from my journey into motherhood. It celebrates the deep commitment and unconditional love that come with raising a child, and I hope it resonates with mothers who want to symbolize that bond in a meaningful way.

When I became a mother, I wrote a poem for my son—a reflection of the promises I was making to him and to myself about the kind of mother I wanted to be. That poem became a book, The Baby Promise, but as I looked deeper, I realized it was more than just words on a page—it was a philosophy and a tangible reminder of the lifelong commitment of motherhood.

That’s when the idea struck me: Women receive rings to mark life’s biggest milestones, and motherhood is most likely the biggest milestone of all and a one that lasts forever. It’s a journey filled with love, sacrifice, and devotion—why shouldn’t it be symbolized in the same way? That led me to design the Mother’s Promise Rings, a collection that serves as a daily reminder of the promises mothers make to their children. Whether worn alongside a wedding set or on its own, these rings symbolize the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child. What makes them even more special is that they don’t need to be gifted by someone else—they symbolize a promise a mother makes to herself, a commitment she chooses to wear every day.

My hope is that mothers will create their own promises and celebrate their journey with a Mother’s Promise Ring—because motherhood lasts a lifetime.

For years, I was told to keep my passions separate, as if they couldn’t coexist. But I’ve learned that art takes many forms. Whether I’m designing Mother’s Promise Rings to honor the bond between mother and child, performing and connecting with an audience through song, or singing lullabies to accompany The Baby Promise, my work is about storytelling, creativity, and authenticity–staying true to everything I create.

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?

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned along the way is that you can’t do everything alone. Success is rarely a solo journey—it’s built through relationships, collaboration, and knowing when to seek support. Here are three essential qualities and skills that have made a difference in my journey:

Build a Strong Network
A solid network is invaluable, not only within your industry but also among friends and confidants who can offer support and guidance. True networking isn’t just about making connections—it’s about cultivating genuine relationships. When you start networking early, these professional connections naturally evolve into friendships, making the process feel organic rather than transactional. Surround yourself with people who inspire, challenge, and uplift you.

Engage in Organizations Aligned with Your Career and Passions
Being part of organizations—whether professional associations in your field or groups related to your hobbies—can open doors, spark creativity, and provide opportunities you never anticipated. Sometimes, your greatest inspiration and career breakthroughs come from unexpected places. Getting involved in a community that shares your interests fosters personal and professional growth.

Know When to Ask for Help—And When to Say No
Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Whether it’s mentorship, collaboration, or simply seeking advice, reaching out to others can help you navigate challenges more effectively. Equally important is learning to say “no.” It’s easy to take on too much, but spreading yourself too thin can compromise both the quality of your work and your well-being. I’ve learned that focusing on fewer commitments with excellence is far more fulfilling than juggling too many things at once. Prioritizing what truly matters has improved not just my work, but also my overall quality of life.

Ultimately, success isn’t just about talent—it’s about the relationships you build, the communities you engage with, and the ability to balance ambition with well-being.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was in the way they raised me and my two sisters. They encouraged us to pursue what made us happy, to study what sparked our curiosity, and to always be honest—with ourselves and with others. They taught us to trust our instincts, to listen to our own voices, and not to get caught up in worrying about what others think.

Their influence instilled in me a deep sense of self-awareness and purpose. The drive to be the best I can be—in everything I do—comes from them, but not in a competitive sense. It’s about being the best version of myself in all aspects of life: as a friend, as a mentor, as a parent, and as a person. It’s about showing up fully, caring deeply, and leading with integrity.

Most importantly, they taught me that being “the best” isn’t just about achievement—it’s about kindness, authenticity, and self-love. Take care of yourself, believe in yourself, and embrace who you are. That’s the legacy they passed down to me, and it’s something I carry with me every day.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Helane Blumfield
Kevin Alvey
Shana Farr

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