Today, we’d like to introduce you to Shayla James.
Hi Shayla , so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
First off, I am super excited to be chosen to highlight for Voyage Houston Magazine; I am a big fan of what you guys have created and giving platforms to creatives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. Wow, where do I start? I am originally from Oakland, California…BAYAREAAAAA lol yes, I am so proud of my city, such a dope place.
I am a creative entrepreneur, event curator, content creator, and lover of everything fashion and art. I left Oakland in 2021 because I was feeling a little stagnant and wanted to begin again in another place. Back in Oakland, I created a community events organization called SoOakland, and it has been thriving for the last nine years, providing safe spaces for my community to authentically be themselves through celebratory parties and festivals, give-backs, and or informational events like panel discussions. My business has been very successful, and I have created a lot of love and respect and built great rapport within my city. Even with creating such an impact at home, I felt it was time for me to leave and spread my wings somewhere else.
I know that in order to grow, you have to get uncomfortable and challenge yourself, the world is big, and I was ready for this new space in my life. So, that’s what I did; I packed up my dog and my belongings and moved to Houston. My plan was to move to Houston and build my Houston version of SoOakland. I know that there has been a Big California population that is coming to Texas; they call it the Great California Exodus, lol. I know so many Bay Area people who moved here, so I knew that what I wanted to create could happen here. Houston and Oakland definitely have a love for each other; the love for artists like TooShort and E-40 has been embraced to the fullest.
I wanted to merge the two cultures together, but when I moved here, I was hit with something unexpected. One month after I moved here, I found out I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, so my excitement to be here and all the ideas I had to get on the ground running with networking and building my company out on this side quickly changed to ” Girl, you gotta stay alive.” I was out here doing it alone because my main support system was back in Oakland, CA. My friends and family were trying to convince me to come back, but I felt God didn’t make any mistakes, and I was not in one of the number one cities for Cancer Care for nothing; I had to do 13 rounds of chemo and 24 rounds of radiation. Through all of this. I didn’t want to miss out on learning about Houston and learning about this city that is now home. I was still outside popping it, bald head shinning from Chemo, lol, hitting up Chapman and Kirby, 5015, some popular spaces that got me through my journey. I didn’t want to just think about Cancer all the time; I wanted to make sure that I continued to live my life. I had to make an adjustment to my life and get into survival mode, but not lose the vibrant energy that I have always had. Finding my creative love and expression was hard for the last two years because of my journey, but I have connected with so many amazing creatives out here and looking forward to what’s in store.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Well, as I said in the previous statement, it shows how rough things can be, but outside of my cancer journey, the road of entrepreneurship is not for the weak. I built my company alone but had many individuals who wanted to be a part of it and stuck with me. In my early years, it was very hard to delegate tasks because of my passion, but delegating is such an important skill set and is a true definition of a leader that is needed for any business owner who is trying to grow. Whatever you are trying to do, growth requires a team and a lack of ego; remember that. You can not be the creative, the manager, the accountant, and the marketer because you will experience burnout, and what you once loved will not become a burden. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
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?
I am known the most for my events and fashion. I specialize in curating events and creating amazing experiences. I am also known for my fashion sense, and my thrifting. My style is very eclectic and its own. I am known for creating trends and doing things to my own beat. I am not like you and not like her, and very proud to walk in my light and not allow others to dim it. I have never let the pressures of society’s idea of beauty define how I should look or operate. I am most proud of my perseverance through cancer and still allowing myself to shine and bust down doors., I have so many amazing things that I want to introduce to Houston, and I can not wait
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
There are a few individuals that I want to thank who I connected with in Houston and allow me to come in and assist them with what they are creating in Houston. Servante’ of the LinkUPHTX community, he has seen my value and understands the knowledge and expertise I have and what I can add to his collective and team and love what he is building for Houston.. seriously so dope; his drive and passion reminded me what I built back home and the early stages, Also Wale of GoodVibesOnly Block Festival, I also start working with him and his passion as well and what he is creating reminded me so much of myself. Being a part of these teams has given me the ignite I needed to get back into what I wanted to do, so I am thankful for them. It’s not easy moving to a new city and building, but I believe I made the right choice and can’t wait to introduce Shayla James to Houston. Also, I have a podcast coming out with my bestfriend Briar Rose called ” Champagne Auntea,” which is a podcast and space focused on creating our own norms as older women, whom society may have their ideas of who we should be and how we should do it. We are focused on empowering sisterhood through Beauty, Wellness, and Fashion @champangeauntea (ig).
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sooakland.com
- Instagram: @itsshaylajames
- Linkedin: Shayla Jamerson
