Meet Shawnie Farrell

We were lucky to catch up with Shawnie Farrell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Shawnie, so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?

A year ago, I was fired (as a 1099) out of the blue while 20 weeks pregnant, and to make things worse, my boss at the time even tried to take my clients. That experience was incredibly difficult, but it changed me in ways I didn’t expect—it made me more empathetic. I know what it feels like to be vulnerable, to have your stability shaken and your trust broken. It taught me that everyone is fighting battles we can’t always see, and that compassion matters so much more than judgment. Going through something so unfair made me deeply value kindness, fairness, and support, and it pushed me to always treat others with the respect and dignity I wished I had received.

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 run EverBright Teeth Whitening, where my mission is to help people feel confident in their smiles through safe, effective, and professional whitening treatments. I graduated as a master aesthetician in the state of Utah so whether it’s been teeth whitening, skin care or lashes, I love the instant confidence boost— but something as simple as a brighter smile can truly change how someone carries themselves. What makes my brand special is the personalized experience and the care I put into every appointment; this isn’t just about whitening teeth, it’s about helping people feel their absolute best. I also want people to know that EverBright is built on integrity, quality, and empowerment. Looking ahead, I’m so excited to offer professional teeth whitening trainings for anyone looking to start a side hustle or create extra income, especially for the stay at home moms. I believe in sharing opportunities, and I can’t wait to help others step into this growing industry with the right knowledge and tools to succeed.

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, the three qualities that had the biggest impact on my journey were resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn.

– Resilience kept me going when things felt uncertain—like when I was fired during pregnancy and had to start from scratch. For anyone just starting, understand that challenges aren’t setbacks; they’re stepping stones. Build resilience by reminding yourself why you started and focusing on solutions instead of obstacles!

– Adaptability helped me pivot into a completely different industry and build something of my own. The ability to adjust when plans change is essential. To strengthen this, stay open to new ideas, trends, and opportunities—even when they feel outside your comfort zone.

– A willingness to learn was key to growing my skills and confidence. I dove into research, training, and trial and error. My advice is to invest in education and mentorship early on. Don’t wait to “feel ready”, because you never actually feel ready.

If you’re at the beginning of your journey, remember: progress isn’t about perfection, it’s about persistence and growth.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When i feel overwhelmed I give myself time to take a step back and remember what im doing. Sometimes i forget things aren’t built overnight and it takes time to build a brand that matters so much to me.

So I try to give myself grace and tell myself I’m doing my best.

I also try to do a little self care. I’m a SAHM trying to run and build a business and often, accidentally, I put myself on the back burner – probably like most women do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shawniefarrell.glossgenius.com/services
• Instagram: @everbrightteethwhitening
• Facebook: Shawniefarrell.kcmo.beauty

Image Credits

Jensen mercurio