Today we’d like to introduce you to Shayla Atkins.
Shayla, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a first-generation college student in my family and I knew early on I wanted to change the narrative for my family. Throughout my adolescent life, I experienced a multitude of challenges that shaped who I am today and ultimately lead me to where I am today. I went into Corporate America over 15 years ago, because that wasn’t the norm in my community. I started my career making Febreze, yes literally making it and then went into Supply Chain and obtained a Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt, transitioned into Human Resources and served in numerous leadership positions from HR Generalist to HR Consultant to HR Leader. I can assess and solve people, operational and strategic business problems!
While working for a small business as an HR consultant, I found my passion and who I wanted my passion to serve! After watching corporations shell out millions of dollars for strategies that you couldn’t implement and then I began partnering with small to mid-size business owners who had a heart of gold, a forward-thinking mindset and roots in their community, I found who I was called to serve! I knew I wanted to give growth oriented small to mid-size business owners the same competitive advantage large corporations had by transforming their strategy, leadership and culture and not charge them millions of dollars to do so!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Oh my gosh no! On a personal level, being a first-generation college graduate, there is a lot of pressure to “make it”, that pressure is also somewhat self-inflicted. I had very very humble beginnings as a child and young adult. My parents split when I was child, so we moved around a lot, didn’t have a lot of money but I was always loved and provided for. I didn’t take the traditional college route due to financial challenges and that comes with its own set of disappointments. I dropped out of college my second year and I began working to gain experience and ultimately finished my degree online. As disappointing as it was, I believe it was meant for me to finish that way b/c my experience and certifications in the business world has been invaluable.
Now I am trying to balance life as a wife, mother of three years old twins, sister, friend, full-time employee and business owner. I am on a mission to create generational wealth and stop generational curses. It is a lot, but it’s worth it to show my girls they can do anything they set their mind to.
I started my entrepreneur journey three years ago with a business partner. Life continued to happen to both of us at different stages and at different times. We had the same vision, yet differing thoughts on the path to accomplish that vision. Eventually, we ended up going our separate ways, which was sooo hard because deep down, I felt I failed myself and failed that business. 2020 became a blessing in disguise, when I decided in March to break out on my own, start over with a new business, new brand, you name it and I haven’t looked back since!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My company is The Atkins IMPACT Consulting Firm. My mission is to provide small to mid-size business owners with the same competitive advantage corporations have. Also, I am on a mission to equip high performing leaders with the tools and confidence to lead authentically, with emotional intelligence and to have a strategic mindset.
My specialty is strategic planning, leadership development and workplace culture enrichment through Diversity Inclusion and Engagement. For business owners who are tired of micro managing their leaders, having unproductive work cultures, fighting fires, experiencing stagnant revenue, running the daily operations, I equip them to grow and scale businesses to increase profits not just revenue and get out of the “fire fighting”. I accomplish this through coaching and consulting services that give my clients the Atkins I.M.P.A.C.T.
What sets me apart from others is that my clients receive solutions that are Intentional, Measurable, Proven, Actionable, Customer-Centric, Transformational. I love acronyms!
For business owners, I transform game-changing aspects of their business: Strategy – Leadership – Culture to ensure sustainable results! We all know, culture eats strategy alive, so I want to see work environments with compassionate and effective leaders.
I am known for my business coaching and that aspect of my business has taken off! Throughout my career, I have been nicknamed “The Problem Solver”. I am the crazy person who looks forward to solving challenges and coming up with innovative solutions. I strive daily to equip and empower my clients to lead effectively long after I’m out of the picture.
I am most proud of my company’s brand image. I focus on providing high-value content and being recognized as a thought leader in my industry. I want people to remember my brand as one with Integrity – Passion – Results.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a very active kid! I was a professional jazz, ballet and tap dancer for 17 years, ran track, participated in cotillions, you name it! My family thought by having me active, I would not become a product of my environment and they were right! God, love and structured activities got me out of my area and has me where I am today. I shouldn’t have made it out and I knew others who didn’t make it out. I have always been a person devoted to giving back to underserved communities and I fulfill that passion today through my membership in Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated which is a community service driven lifelong sorority.
As far as my personality, I have always been funny, goofy, loyal, helpful yet determined LOL. I’m naturally introverted so I’ve always had a small circle of friends, but I know a lot of people.
I am the eldest sibling to a very large blended family. One thing I am grateful for is that I still have childhood friends in my life today.
In high school, I thought I wanted to be a doctor growing up, but when I started college and couldn’t get past chemistry 2, that quickly changed and I started diving into my passions in the business world. LOL
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theatkinsimpact.com
- Phone: 713-338-9309
- Email: engage@theatkinsimpact.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/theatkinsimpact
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/theatkinsimpact
- Other: linkedin.com/company/the-atkins-impact
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