Today we’d like to introduce you to Janel A. Young.
Hi Janel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Wow, I’ve never looked at any of this as a story, I would say where I am today is a result of my journey thru many life experiences segmented thru pivotal moments in time that influenced the trajectory of where I am now. Some periods of my journey have been amazing, hurtful, life-changing, and at times…extremely difficult. Nevertheless, I remain thankful and grateful for it all.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh, it’s been one helluva ride with many obstacles along the way. All of them learning experiences that I’ve used for self-improvement or to remove barriers that are getting in my way. I’m more of an intuitive empath. This character trait is often mentally and physically exhausting. The ability for me to recharge is critical. Years ago, I struggled with saying “No” to people or issues that no longer served me and I also felt the need to address matters that did. Not anymore. No is a complete sentence and requires no additional comment or explanation. I’ve learned not to carry the weight of others as my own and “that’s none of my business” is my favorite phrase, Lol.
Prayer, faith and meditation are my anchors. My mom, Arlene, husband, James, my sons, James Jr. and Jonathan, are my safe space. They hold the keys to my heart. I’m so thankful for our village and my circle of sister friends who I often refer to as my personal board of directors. You see, I got a trusted board of advisors, a safe place for vulnerability, a place to retreat and a safe place to go and get a good ugly cry out – at any time without judgment. My village pours into me like a fountain, and is not a drain. The ultimate hype team and will call me out on my own bullshit. With them, I’m the purest version of myself. I feel like there is nothing I can’t do, if I truly want it. They are the weapon I’ve used to shatter the glass ceiling to reach my goals and aspirations.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My husband James and I are the proud owners of SassiCat – Unapologetically You, a trendy lifestyle boutique specializing in self-care, cool & sarcastically hilarious apparel and accessories. It’s about living your best life, unfiltered and unapologetically. We love to travel, practice self-care, chill out and watch sports. Good food and laughter is our love language. The theme of SassiCat is aligned closely to our lifestyle and personality. It’s lighthearted, laugh-out-loud fun! Our goal is for SassiCat to be at the top of your list to satisfy any mood. Looking for a cool gift for a friend, need a clutch or tote for a girls trip? Perhaps you’re going on a weekend getaway and you need comfortable loungewear and a weekender bag? Sunday self-care is a vibe! Pair one of our affirmation candles with one of our gratitude journals to unpack your thoughts and plan your week. Having a bad day? Try SassiCat, as a good pick-me-up. I also do personal consultations to curate custom orders and special pricing for family vacations. cruises, girls trips, bachelorette parties, and more!
I am also a Director at a Crisis Management Emergency Response firm with more than a decade of experience in economic and community development. I am an expert in the design and implementation of programs for vulnerable households and distressed communities.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
According to statistics, my entire life has been at risk since the day I was born. My mama raised me in Jackson, MS as a single parent and I am an only child. I am a proud graduate of Lanier High School, Jackson State University and Penn State University. I am forged through fire. Taking risk is embedded in my DNA. Things happen, and you quickly realize life isn’t full of sprinkles, glitter and fairy dust. Life will chin-check you, and sucker-punch you…repeatedly. You soon realize, no one is coming to save you…so you take the risk of being uncomfortable, you take the risk of being temporarily inconvenienced, you take the risk of disruption to your comfort zone, you take the risk of failure and new beginnings.
Ohhh, but wait until you see what is on the other side! There is so much beauty in those calculated risk. The transformation of taking risk has been life-changing for me and my family. With prayer, preparation and our support system, I’ve realized not all risks have a 50/50 success fail rate. You can tip the scales in your favor, turning risks into pivotal opportunities for advancement and growth. We took the risk of creating, designing and launching SassiCat in the middle of a global pandemic, and it was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made as a family.
Contact Info:
- Website:shopsassicat.com
- Instagram: shopsassicat
- Facebook: shopsassicat
Image Credits
Kiara D. Jackson
