Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shi Howell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Shi , thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
I am from Akron, Ohio, a small town about an hour away from Cleveland, OH. With Akron being a small town that means not many people think or do much outside of the norm. I am not saying I wasn’t one of them . Since I was born I have done what I thought was the norm, go to school, get good grades, treat people with respect, at 16 get a job and stay the course of what I have been taught to do. Excluding the party until the age of 25, but I always worked hard before I played. Life seemed normal until I gave birth to my now 10yr old daughter in 2013.
That was the first time I felt what real love looked like. The first time I was able to see life from a different angle, I’m now a MOM! It’s crazy because I didn’t want kids, but for the first time I felt like I had some to live for beside me sounds a little crazy right but it’s the truth. Not many people mention this but when I became a Mom I knew that this life that I was living is not for me. I always had dreams of being someone amazing, not a supervisor of a call center, (not throwing shade) I always had feelings deep down that I am meant for something more. Who knew that my daughter would give me the encouragement to make that change.
In 2016 I made up my mind that I am going to make a change so I can be the best Mom I can be, but how, where do I start, who do I talk to, all these questions came to my head.Taking my first step was hard at that time I had 2 major surgeries, I was in a abusive relationship, I became homeless and was living in a hotel with my daughter, all while trying to take my first step. It was not easy but I knew I had to go forward because where else can I go? So I took my first step, I went back to school online at Full Sail University for Music Production, I started working at the hotel 3rd shift and did my homework during down time. Life became extremely difficult and I was unable to finish. Trying to learn a new skill after being out of school for 9 years, it was getting to me but I knew I couldn’t quit, so I transferred to Ohio Media School in Cleveland Ohio to receive hands-on learning. I also learned so much about myself, I learned that in life I will have to go out and create it because the world I was imaging doesn’t exist. I learned that the media and entertainment industry can break you mentally and spiritually.
Throughout the past 5yrs in the industry, I have grown into a strong individual. Each year in business I learned something new, I learned that my opinion matters, I learned that people love to see you go along your journey as you don’t outgrow them, I learned that hate can come with smiles, and I learned that just because someone has an opinion about you and makes up rumors that you can still grow beyond.
With all of that being said I learned the most effective and successful way to be the only one in the room that looks like you is to be YOU! Many people put on a mask to portray a strong person, but if you are strong, mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually no one I mean no one can make you feel small, because confidence outweighs any negativity.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Shi Howell and I am the owner and operator of Fly High Productions Ltd, a Black Woman Owned Production company. I specialize in all areas of production from Videographer, Photography, Audio, and Marketing. I have worked with a number of influential people on a National and International level. I started my business in 2018 as a Videographer I received my first IMDB create as an Audio Engineer for a web series called “Jaysin” a local Cleveland project that gave me a lot of encouragement to continue along my journey, to the in 2023 being asked to be featured Photography at a James Bond Soiree meeting Mr. Daniel Craig, Mr. James Bond himself in Casino Royale!
Throughout the past years in business, I have grown so much as a person. In 2018 I was searching for answers, and the Question was Who am I? I was 32, a single mom, a student at Ohio Media School getting opportunities on projects I had no idea it would inspire me to be Me unapologetically and creatively. I’ll give you a quick back story that will help you understand why that is a big deal for me. “ I was born in 1987 by both parents, my Dad was my coach in every sport I played. He is my rock, He is the one who taught me to not give up, “shake it off and keep going” as he would say. My Mom was very strict, and I’m the youngest of 2. Back in those times men would take care of the household that meant my Dad worked a lot but he always made time to also coach in every sport I played until high school. So it sounds like a great life until I talk about my Mom. I don’t like to bring her up alot because some would say it sounds like bashing so I`ll just say we don’t have a relationship. Like I said early she was strict, but I did learn a lot. Some good, some bad. Back in the 90s I was raised to do as I was told , and you didn’t have an opinion, you spoke when spoken to, or you received the physical “if you know what I mean”. Not going to say I was perfect because I am not but I can say with having an older sister I learned how to not do things to get caught. Now back to when I created my business others were asking me for my opinion and were taking it into consideration and some acting on it, “Mind Blown”.
I had to unlearn a lot, and learn a lot too, even when it comes to me being a person, a Mother, a Friend and an Entrepreneur.
Today my brand is all about being your authentic self and living in each moment. Today I like to give back in many ways but the best way I like to give back is I drop some quick knowledge, that is going to help that person become better because sometimes all you need is some encouragement. We all can make a change from our past but we first have to want to change and BELIEVE that it can be done!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back I think having many years of call center customer service, and troubleshooting skills I was taught has helped mold me into the person I am today. I worked close to 15 years in the Call Center world. I worked for a number of companies with many different skills they teach their employees. When I went into business for myself I used a number of the tools I gained from those companies and I must say I worked.
The skills and qualities I obtained is 1) Customer Service – to give the consumer the same respect you will like to receive, 2) Don’t take everything personal – a lot of people will take out there faustation on who every is on the phone, allow them to vent, and do you best to help if you can’t move on to the next, and 3) Learning How to Take Control of the conversation, we all know if you give some a inch they will run a mile in the wrong direction.
Who knew all those jobs I couldn’t stand was going to come in handy one day.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
My Biggest area I have grown in is Myself! Throughout my life I allowed others’ decisions to affect my outcome because I was doing things to please others.
Over the past 12 months I have taken some time away from my business, I wanted to allow myself time to reevaluate and restructure. Throughout the past 12 months I have learned that I am a lot stronger, and smarter than 90 % of the people I was allowing to help my decisions. I learned that I am a Fighter, a Lover, a Creator that can not be STOPPED. Who knew a little self love was all I needed!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://get2knowme.myportfolio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tha_1_an_only_sexxyshy/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNu8OSlnv-7zV46zTWJGO3g
Image Credits
The Images w/the black shirt my 10 yr old Daughter Kennedi took them Other images are from my business Fly High Productions LTD
