We were lucky to catch up with Shariese Martin recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Shariese, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
This quality of mastering being the only one in the room is still a work in progress. Most of my career (school and professional) have consisted of me consistently being the only one in the room and feeling I represent an entire body of people. That thought alone created a need to be seen and to be seen in the most powerful yet approachable light possible. This has been such a routine reality for me that I have been afforded the opportunity to get it wrong by fading into the crowd, not making a fuss or too much noise and just getting by on the good foot. However, that brought about an unsteady feeling when it was all said and done because in no way did I elevate myself or others around me by doing that. With that, I have had the opportunity to literally say to myself, “this time I am going to show up for me and expose the best kept secret that is an articulate black woman.” I learned to give the best parts of me while meeting the audience where they were. Because let’s be real, I am always on display or on stage when I am the only one in the room. I learned to speak up and stand my ground even when my commentary wasn’t always received. I kept showing up in the room time and time again making mistakes, taking note and growing from them. But most importantly, I never shy away from being in the room. I never force my way in because I deserve to be there. But I know that being there is a choice and how I show up solely depends on me. So, I practice what I will say, how I will look, feed from past experiences (good and bad) and I keep entering the room. I don’t give them all of me, because they can’t handle that and ultimately all of me is not necessary. But I give just enough to perk up their ears and hopefully I have something worth listening to to say.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
By trade I am an accountant. That is my day job, my career and how I feed my family. I feed my soul through side projects that range from resume building to digital product creation. Currently, I am working on a few projects that I hope to launch this year that stemmed from a huge, unexpected shift in my life in the last quarter of 2023. A number of events caused me to go from having 3 different streams of income to just 1. And the one that I was left with was the least lucrative. However, in my season of financial abundance (which finds me often may I add) I was the most stressed I had been in quite some time. I was completely overwhelmed and was fighting to fit in the things that brought me genuine peace and happiness. Now, I am taking this opportunity of stillness to focus on launching these projects that have been on my desk for years but never got the opportunity to be fed. I want to focus on the things that make me happy, not just the things that make me money. I guess I can go ahead and tell of these projects as a source of accountability as I have truly not mentioned these projects to anyone. Some of the projects I am working on launching this year is a children’s book, an excel training course and a website displaying/selling custom digital products. It’s out now – that puts a lot of good pressure on me. Everything I do or want to provide is completely genuine and for self-empowerment. I want people to feel good about themselves and sometimes I selfishly want to be the source of that. This is so important to me now because for so much of my life I have come off as firm, aggressive and just downright mean. While that may have worked to get me in the room, I know it won’t keep me in the room. But also, internally, I never felt that way. So, now at my big old age I find it imperative that I find a way to communicate what I feel, and it be received that way.
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?
Three areas that I feel have been impactful in my journey are character development, work ethic, and self-awareness. In life you are always going to come across circumstances where you have to choose between right or wrong, improve in an area of physical or mental deficit, and advocate for yourself. Knowing who you are, what you stand for and how you want to be seen are displayed in every area of your life including your professional life. I never want my character to be challenged in terms of a friendship or on the job. So, even when no one is watching I stand true on what I believe. The same amount of effort is given when the boss is in office and when they are out. If I don’t know something or am lacking in a certain area, first off, my self-awareness and routine self-evaluation is going to show me those areas of deficiency before anyone else can. But that realization is then followed up with action by putting in some extra time to learn or develop in areas that need improvement. These things stand true no matter the situation.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
My number one obstacle right now is me getting in my own way. It sounds cliche, but it is so true. I have this idea or thought that keeps nagging at me and it questions the relevance of what I want to do. Or more importantly, it questions why anyone would want these items or projects from me. My biggest defender against that is remembering who made me and who he made me to be. I literally have to remind myself that God made me fearfully and wonderfully. I am already victorious so if it was put on my heart, why wouldn’t I pursue a journey that is already won? I have put in the work, come up with a plan and am ready to execute. I have to remind myself that I have something to say and someone, even if it is only one person, needs to hear it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: shariese.lanai
- Facebook: Shariese Martin
- Linkedin: Shariese Martin
