I am Shell Vera, a multi-passionate, faith-driven, overthinking woman who LOVES this life we have been given and wants to share that zeal with everyone I come across.
As a Voice Discovery Coach, writer, and marketer, I am on a mission to:
* Empower others to talk about the things that are uncomfortable until they become everyday conversation
* Remove the phrases “too deep,” “not enough,” and “too much” from the human vocabulary
* Prove to everyone that even the most wounded inner child can be healed and partner with us for a successful and impactful life.
I am that friend who can both encourage you and make you laugh, sometimes simultaneously. It’s not often you’re in my presence for more than a few minutes without hearing a great story that makes you laugh, cry, and/or remember how much power lies within you. I believe we all have a story within us that will help at least one other person find the will to continue, know they aren’t alone, or find the key to the prison they have trapped themselves within.
I currently live in CT with my youngest daughter, where we homeschool and enjoy local travel. In our relaxation time, we can often be found improving our islands on Animal Crossing: New Horizons, listening to audiobooks by Bob Burg or Robert Dugoni, or building Fast & Furious cars with Legos.
I was born in Germany; raised throughout the US as an Army kid and then state kid in my teens, and currently live in New London, CT.
Q: What is one of your favorite quotes or lines in a song or movie and why does it resonate with you?
"I was chasing healing when I′d been made well / I was fighting battles when You conquered hell / Living free but from a prison cell / Lord, I lay it down today" – "All You've Ever Wanted" by Casting Crowns, copyright to John Mark Hall, Bernie Herms. I am an overthinker who loves to benefit from the deep thinking that can come with that trait. As such, I sometimes suffer from the consequences as well, such as fighting battles I don't need to be battling or putting boxes around myself when I am standing in an open field. This song, and specifically these verses, remind me that I need to have more faith and trust things to work out (doing my part but not overthinking things all the time).
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your business?
I use ghostwriting skills and marketing fundamentals to show folks how to connect more deeply with their audiences once they own their voice. This includes empowering them to write, speak, and create in ways that their voices come through best. I've been a marketer since 1999, a ghostwriter since 2011, and a Voice Discovery Coach since 2018, which gives me experience to pull from when working with non-profit business owners, authors, and entrepreneurs who want to truly build engagement and connection with their audience..
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
I was working as a data scientist (Business / Technical Analyst) in pharma when a family friend (Raheem) passed away from cancer. At his funeral, his twin (Rashaad) read a letter that Raheem had left him. The letter focused on not giving up on his dreams and settling because of what others wanted from him. Rashaad had always wanted to be a social worker but joined the state troopers after Raheem became sick with stomach cancer while on his first day on the job as a local police officer. That letter WRECKED me because I knew in my heart that I was only in pharma for the money and not because I loved what we stood for as an industry. I was settling and knowing I was doing such shook my inner core. I made an exit plan that day, talked to my boss, and started my path toward writing and marketing full time. I gave a six-month notice, trained my replacements, and released a huge sigh as I walked out the doors for the final time on July 1st, 2011. On August 11, 2011, I made the jump and opened my business as a ghostwriter and marketer for small businesses and solopreneurs. I have since grown it to include voice discovery coaching.
Q: What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I love when I start working with someone who feels like they don’t know their voice and how to connect with their audience. They feel they have to tone down who they are because they are “too much” or “too deep”. I say be those things because the right people will find you. They are looking for exactly what you have to share. When I see the folks who didn’t realize they totally knew their voice and just needed some more confidence in using it and guidance on being on the right platforms for their true audience instead of trying to be all the things to all the people in all the places come to life… whew! There is something so beautiful in the moment someone realizes they’ve had the power within them all along! I love that God lets me be part of the journey for folks before I transition them to a publisher, editor, or long-term marketer.
Q: What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
To set boundaries that ensure you serve others WHILE building a positive life and future for yourself. You can't sacrifice your future for someone else's today. Instead, you serve others to the best of your ability while ensuring you are staying in the red for your life, future, and family.
Q: What is one of your favorite places to be or travel to?
The beach. Preferably one whose water is part of an ocean. There is something so calming to me about sitting near the water with my feet in the sand listening to the sounds around me.
Q: If you could choose anyone (past or present, fictional or real) with whom to have lunch, who would it be and why?
There isn't any one person I'd like to have lunch with. I've made it one of my intentions that if I want to have lunch with someone I will.
Q: Who inspires you to be the best version of yourself?
My youngest daughter. She is on the spectrum so she sees the world differently and is never afraid to be who she is or say what's on her mind. I love that about her and it inspires me to not let what others think of me influence how I show up in this life.
Q: How did you first discover “The Go-Giver”?
Steve Eanes via LinkedIn. I don't remember how we came across one another, but in 2011 I was VERY active on LinkedIn and participated in many groups. Somehow I met Steve and he told me about the book. I read it and felt for the first time in my life like someone else understood how I saw the world. It was like receiving permission to do business on my terms instead of based upon what I learned in school.
Q: Who would you like to see featured on The Faces Of The Go-Giver Community and why?
Ana Mann. From the first time I heard her speak, I was drawn to her soft nature and genuine love for others. When you are in her presence, you feel warmth, acceptance, love, and a motivation to be your best self. I would love to read her answers to these questions.
Q: Finally, how can we know if someone we come in contact with is a good connection or prospective customer/client for you?
Most of the time, you would know someone is a good connection for me because you are friends with them or work next to them and think, “They could do and be so much more if they would get out of their own way.” That’s the type of person I want to talk with and learn more about to see if we can work together. Sometimes they need to be reminded they have a voice, they have a story, and they have a message that matters to others. I would love to support them in discovering their voice, sharing their story, and delivering their message.
Please include your website link if you have one!
https://www.shellvera.com
