Today we’d like to introduce you to Isis Smalls.
Isis, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I graduated from the University of Chicago in 2012, I was recruited by Teach for America to serve as a sixth-grade teacher in the Houston Independent School District. I never grew up thinking I was going to be an educator. I had just finished breaking records in college volleyball, so many people expected to me to go into fitness or coaching. However, looking back, teaching was one of the best things that ever happened to me.
In the classroom, I discovered that I had a gift for engaging and inspiring youth. I enjoyed teaching reading and English, but nothing felt more fulfilling to me than when we’d discuss life in general. I found myself becoming more like a “mom” and a confidante as “my kids” opened up about the pressures they were facing at home and in school. When the dismissal bell rang every day, rather than sprinting home to enjoy their freedom, the girls would hang around and chat for hours under the guise of helping me organize or decorate. As our talks shifted from homework to dealing with peer pressure, building confidence, and handling conflict at home, I realized that I was more than a teacher. I was a mentor. I was there to encourage these young women as they tried to find their way and navigate the challenges they were experiencing.
During my second year of teaching, I decided to compete in my first pageant ever. Although I was a painfully shy, hardcore jock, I knew that if I could get out of my comfort zone long enough to capture the crown, I would have a platform to reach youth around the city. Over the course of three months, I worked up the nerve to sing in public for the first time. I learned how to do my hair and makeup, walk in heels, and how to speak well during an interview. On November 10th, 2013, I not only won the talent award, but I was crowned Miss Houston 2014. My life has never been the same since.
During that year, I spoke to over 3,000 youth around the country while still working as a teacher full-time. Still an athlete at heart, I implemented community initiatives revolving around a mission I called “Girls in the Game: Women Empowerment Through Sports.” This led me to become the National Ambassador for a nonprofit called Girls in the Game. Ultimately, the year ended with me finishing 6th at Miss Texas and having the opportunity to represent Houston at the United Nations International Sport for Social Impact Summit.
When I didn’t advance to the Miss America competition I thought it was all over, but the truth is, things were just getting started. Being Miss Houston helped me to break out of my shell, discover my voice, and gain the confidence to use it.
Since leaving the pageant stage, I am now a National Empowerment Speaker full-time. I have reached 8,000 people around the country speaking at schools, churches, and women conferences. I regularly perform the National Anthem for professional sports teams, most notably for 40,000 Houston Astros fans last year. Finally, I have published my book “Beauty in the Making” that became an Amazon Bestseller that’s reaching young women nationwide.
As is commonly said: “It’s not the about destination. It’s the about the journey.” The adventures of transitioning from teacher to Miss Houston to now speaker and author has birthed in me a tenacity and a bold drive to see what else I can do if I have the courage to say ‘no’ to my fears and ‘yes’ to let my passion drive me. It’s now my mission to inspire others to do the same.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
A life well lived is anything but a smooth ride! If you want to do something great in life I truly believe you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable with what will be one adventurous journey. Everything I have done, I have done it completely terrified and afraid. Now, I am addicted to that feeling because I recognize that fear is a sign that something incredible is on the other side. You and I cannot afford to not push past it. The impact will not only be great for us, but the dream we’re carving out will positively influence those we reach as well.
Since resigning from teaching and entering the world of entrepreneurship, I have been on a total faith walk. Every single day I am learning the “do’s and don’ts” of carving out the business side of my passions. It has been incredibly tough, immensely humbling, but so worth it.
This journey has taught me a lot about believing in the power of my own voice. Before writing “Beauty in the Making” I questioned whether anyone would take me seriously. I felt as if I needed to be older than just 27 years old to write a book. However, a wise person told me that wisdom doesn’t just come from age, it comes from experience. When you go through something and make it to the other side, you have lessons that are tried and true. You are never too young to use your voice. The lessons you have will benefit anyone willing to listen.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Isis Smalls Unlimited – what should we know?
I am a National Empowerment Speaker and the Amazon Bestselling Author of Beauty in the Making: Learning to Radiate from the Inside Out. It’s my mission to empower women of all ages to unleash their potential and become everything God created them to be. I inspire women to develop tenacious faith, audacious courage, and a bold drive that I believe is key to overcoming fears, walking in their purpose, and leaving the impact they were designed to make.
I am most proud of having the courage to resign from a steady full-time job to pursue my purpose and passion.
As a speaker and author, I believe my ability to be intentionally transparent sets me apart. Transparency without a purpose is pointless, but when done well, it’s empowering. I have found that sharing about my “wins” in life is only impactful to the extent that I am willing to also share the depth of the struggle. I invite my audience on a journey of storytelling that helps them overcome with me. When I speak, it’s not about making myself look amazing, it’s about helping people realize that they are amazing, too. There is no magical fairy dust that sets me apart from them, just a decision to be great and make no qualms about it. So, I tailor my speeches with relevant stories that are fresh, authentic, and powerful to achieve that purpose.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
It’s incredibly important to find a mentor who shares the same values as you. Your values shape your mission and you want to be under the guidance of someone who not only respects but can inform your journey in a way that helps you maintain alignment with what you believe and the type of life you want to create.
It’s also important to find the mentor who can be a trusted confidante and someone who is practicing what they preach.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.isissmalls.com
- Phone: 832-777-6243
- Email: management@isissmalls.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/isissmalls
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/isissmalls
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/isissmalls
Image Credit:
Steven Grant of GrantFoto, Laura Isensee of Houston Public Media, Misty Rockwell of Misty Rockwell Artistry
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