Meet Shametria Favors Richardson | Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shametria Favors Richardson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shametria, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My reasoning for starting my businesses began with two questions. How can I change the trajectory of generations to come, and how will these businesses advance the kingdom of God and bring Him glory?
In 2018, I launched Faith & Freedom Ministries, Inc., a non-profit organization, after pondering through my purpose with prayer. The ministry’s goal is to see women healed, transformed, and walking boldly as the women God created them to be! Our mission is to provide a safe haven of healing, counseling, resources, and tools for women to experience deliverance from bondage and live a life of freedom. We also offer monthly teachings, workshops, biblical counseling, and coaching services; additionally, we provide scholarships to those who can not afford services. We recognize that healed people give birth to complete things, and these results change their lives and the lives of everyone connected to them. Experiencing this healing myself is how I launched my second business, She’s Favored Network, LLC with I Am Favored Apparel as an entity.

She’s Favored Network is a consulting firm that helps women build, structure, launch, and successfully operate non-profit organizations. It also provides a global platform for founders to connect and make a broader impact, ultimately advancing God’s kingdom. I Am Favored Apparel was created for my daughters who desire to inspire the world through faith-based clothing. Both girls have their own stories to tell and are doing so with their unique individual collections. It was difficult for them growing up as black females being teased for having big natural hair, large beautiful eyes, or being tall. My 13-year-old daughter created The Be Unique collection to inspire girls who are different to accept themselves as the confident brilliant girls they were created to be. The Eternal Bliss collection was created to help people understand the origin of joy. It is a joy no one can take away! I Am Favored Apparel speaks without a voice. All three businesses bring in the income needed to change my family’s trajectory and, most importantly, glorify God, who makes all things possible.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an entrepreneur at heart! Creating and building things to help others brings me so much joy! What sets me apart is my story! My story brings forth a uniqueness that only I can share with the world.
I am most proud of my decision to rewrite my story, which equipped me to be the entrepreneur I am today. It took me years to learn that my authenticity powered the creativity given to me from heaven. The thoughts of God shaped my life, not the fickleness of the world around me. God’s will empowered me to empower others and produced the ability to help women heal, grow, glow, and make their dreams a reality.

How did I get to where I am today? Faith! I began to trust God by stepping outside the box and positioning myself for more. I surrounded myself with other leaders, influencers, and people living the life I desired. I watched, listened, learned, and asked the right questions. I am strategic with investing in self-growth and development in every area of my life; spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, professionally, and financially. I believe wealth is produced because of a mindset (a state of being) empowered by Jesus becoming whole and complete.

One thing I have learned along the way is this… grace is sufficient! Understanding the concept of grace has been a vital lesson both personally and professionally. I have made mistakes and started over many times on my journey, but each time grace covered me and empowered me to continue to move forward. It freed me from everything I have encountered that tried to hold me back. We all must extend grace to others just as we would want it extended to us. I want the world to know about my story and my brand because it is proof of God’s redemptive power!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have to be honest, I am a homebody, and my idea of fun is food! We would most definitely visit multiple restaurants like Nusr-Et in uptown, Ocean Prime, and Saint Rocco’s. I love brunch as well, so Lo-Lo’s Chicken and Waffles, Snooze an A.M. Eatery, or Haywire are definite probabilities. Throw in some shopping, a spa day with mani/pedi, enjoy a paint and sip and call it a week!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shout out to my beautiful daughters Samaja & Samari, who have only seen the very best in me. They are my why and are always there encouraging me to keep going. Next, my mother, Yvonne Baker, who has always been there no matter what decisions I have made or the crazy business adventures I take on. For every mistake I have made, she has been right there, helping me get back up and supporting me as I make my dreams a reality. Additionally, I want to give a shout-out to my friend Holly Campbell who has mentored and helped develop me into the CEO I am today. Her knowledge and expertise in building organizations have equipped me in ways I never imagined. I could name more people, but I will stop there and say I am grateful for the village I have around me.

Website: https://linktr.ee/shametriafavors

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shametriafavors/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shametria-Favors-Richardson-101365552088199

Other: Shop I Am Favored Apparel @ www.iamfavoredapparel.com

Image Credits
Anton Dudley Photography www.antondudleyphotography.com