We were lucky to catch up with Sharon (Shay) Newell recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sharon (Shay), thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is basically that middle school feeling in small spurts. I hated it at 12 and even more at 32! I have to stay grounded in who I am as an individual before I worry about my roles to my family, business, or students. Shay is my center because I can’t do anything without me. I found that imposter syndrome gathers its strength from the vagueness in our lives. To overcome it I am as direct as I always can be to avoid any simple misunderstandings that allow my anxiety to have a field day. I know that my path is mine alone and I plan to walk it with my head held high.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Shay Martin’s Designs is an enterprise founded by Sharon (Shay) Newell of Columbia, South Carolina. SMD was created to honor the memory of my late grandfather Sandy Martin Adams, as well as to create a path to generational wealth and in-house support in the community and family.
As an educator, I learned how to use several tech tools in the classroom and flipped them to work for my benefit as well. I designed my website. I learned how to create graphics in a professional learning meeting and created a free account for my business the next day. Every graphic I post or that is on my website was personally designed by me.
Being a renter means moving often and having to find someone you trust to do your nails in a new city. couldn’t find anyone that I wanted to see more than once so I learned how to make press-on nails from YouTube University and started making and wearing my own nails. I was asked repeatedly to do others nails but I knew I didn’t want to commit to a fixed schedule around my administrator duties. I decided to make and sell my own press on nails. This really gave me peace in finding ways to balance my mind when I feel stressed. My 12-year-old works at SMD as my Nail Model/Social Media Liason and she now knows what it feels like to earn her first paycheck. That kind of education is priceless.
Shay Martin’s Designs currently specializes in press-on nails, parent advocate services, small business coaching, wedding officiant services, and soon real estate!
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?
My top 3 would be flexibility. intuitiveness, and technology. When you think about flexibility change your focus from “if something happens I’ll be ok” to “if it all fails, I can start again”. It sounds extreme but it can really help you determine how serious you are about this lifestyle. Your business may be a success but other things may fail, are you flexible enough to accept this and keep going? Intuitiveness is a gift honestly but we can all sharpen this skill if we look beyond the screen. I know everyone will get this reference because we were all locked in watching The Queen’s Gambit, lol. You have the see the pieces in the sky and be way ahead of the game. I started a press on nail package for wedding parties that is still ahead of its time but when it cashes in, I’ll be good to go. Lastly, technology is a MUST! Look up free resources and master them. You will spend so much more money hiring others to help you with tasks that are very easy to do once you master them. My small business coaching teaches you how to do this, wink wink!
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents showed me that life was not about perfection. I’m not going to lie, that caused a lot of frustration for me as a child. As an adult in my 30’s I give them so much more grace and still do! I have watched my mom and dad create lives for themselves that their parents couldn’t have imagined. Their guiding principle was always to give to the next generation so they could be better and that’s what I do now for my daughter, younger family members, and community.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shaymartindesigns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaymartindesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShayMartinDesigns
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiEcFjJzDWQ8wnYCqbHnAWw
