Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shantell Blanchard. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Shantell, 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?
My resilience comes from a mix of personal experiences and the determination I’ve built over time. Going through challenges like Hurricane Katrina and the COVID-19 pandemic has shaped my understanding of what it means to start over and push through. As a woman in tech, I’ve faced unique struggles, but they’ve only fueled my drive to succeed. I’ve learned to stay strong, adapt, and keep moving forward, no matter the circumstances. My passion for helping others and the purpose behind my work also give me the strength to keep going, especially when things get tough.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I consider myself a true Jill of all trades, balancing multiple roles across various industries. By day, I work as a banker at a credit union, but that’s just the beginning. I’m also a part-time hair stylist and run a T-shirt business called Brands by Bella. On top of that, I serve as the marketing director for L-evated, where I also work as a wellness coach, offering instant teeth whitening and body contouring through L-evated’s beauty brand.
However, my true passion lies with BizMingle, the innovative B2B networking app that my business partner and I created. BizMingle is much more than a typical networking platform—it’s powered by AI that learns and evolves with each interaction. Whether you’re networking, sharing preferences, or completing transactions, the platform remembers behaviors and preferences to deliver increasingly accurate business matches that align with your specific needs.
What sets BizMingle apart is its simplicity combined with advanced technology. Just like swiping on a dating app, users can swipe left or right to explore potential business partners, making networking easy and intuitive. As you use the platform, it adapts to your business, offering personalized connections that foster growth and collaboration.
With all my different roles—from hairstyling to branding and wellness—BizMingle is where my true passion lies. It’s more than just an app; it’s a game-changer for B2B networking, and I’m excited to share its impact with the world!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, three qualities and skills that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, adaptability, and strategic thinking. Each of these has shaped how I approach challenges and opportunities, and they’ve been key to my growth across the different industries I’m involved in.
Resilience: Life is full of ups and downs, and you’re bound to face setbacks in any business venture. For me, resilience has been about learning from failures, staying focused on the bigger picture, and never giving up. To develop resilience, I recommend embracing challenges as opportunities to learn. Don’t be afraid of failure; instead, view it as a stepping stone toward success.
Adaptability: Being able to pivot and adjust to new circumstances has been crucial for me, whether I’m working as a banker, running my businesses, or developing BizMingle. The world of business changes quickly and staying flexible allows you to capitalize on new trends or shifts in the market. For those early in their journey, I advise staying open to learning new skills and never being too attached to a single way of doing things. The more adaptable you are, the more opportunities you can seize.
Strategic Thinking: Having a clear vision and being able to think several steps ahead has helped me make smart decisions and grow my ventures. Whether it’s planning the growth of BizMingle or managing multiple roles, I’ve always approached challenges with a strategic mindset. My advice to others is to take the time to plan and think critically about your goals. Break big goals into smaller, manageable steps, and always consider the long-term impact of your decisions.
For anyone early in their journey, focus on developing these qualities. They’re the foundation for success, no matter what industry you’re in. Stay persistent, keep learning, and always think ahead.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Absolutely! I’m always open to partnering and collaborating with like-minded individuals or businesses. Whether you’re in tech, marketing, wellness, or entrepreneurship, I believe collaboration is key to growth and innovation. Specifically, I’m looking for folks who are passionate about business development, tech innovation, and creating meaningful connections—particularly in the B2B space.
If you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, or tech innovator interested in collaboration, especially if you’re excited about AI, networking, or bringing new ideas to life, I’d love to connect. I’m also interested in partnering with businesses that are looking to expand their marketing strategies or those in the wellness industry.
You can reach me directly at bizmingleapp@gmail.com and sign up for the app at: bizmingleapp.com Let’s explore how we can work together and create something impactful!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGJjjN6Sv8/IvkzV4b8yZ5aje64PxO1Gg/view?utm_content=DAGJjjN6Sv8&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bizmingleapp/profilecard/?igsh=MTFuajZxYXNnMGlsbQ==
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bizmingle/posts/?feedView=all
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