We recently had the chance to connect with Shayla Pellerin and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Shayla, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me looks like juggling hats — counselor, mom, wife, and sometimes personal trainer (to myself 😅). Mornings start with coffee and prayer (in that order), followed by a workout where I try to convince myself that squats are fun.
During the day, I’m serving my community as a mental health counselor, and by evening, I’m in full-on “mom mode” — helping with homework, coordinating activities, and making sure dinner actually makes it to the table. Somewhere in there, I squeeze in my community work and church, plus a little self-care so I don’t run on fumes.
It’s busy, a little chaotic, but it’s my version of beautiful — equal parts grace, grit, and giggles. 💕
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Introduction:
Hi, I’m Shayla Pellerin — a wife, mom, mental health counselor, and co-owner of ZandZ 360 Photo Booth Rentals. My journey has been about blending passion with purpose. By day, I work as a counselor with serving Black, Brown, and queer members of the community.
On the entrepreneurial side, my husband and I built ZandZ 360 from the ground up, turning it into a fun, engaging brand that brings unforgettable moments to life at celebrations across Houston. What makes it unique is that it’s truly family-run — even our daughter helps at events — and rooted in creating experiences that people will remember forever.
What makes my story special is that I wear many hats, but each role connects back to the same mission: empowering others, building community, and showing my daughters that they can dream big and achieve more. Right now, I’m working on growing both in my professional career in mental health and scaling our business to reach even bigger milestones.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before titles, expectations, and responsibilities, I was simply a curious, creative, and outspoken little girl who believed she could do everything — and probably tried to. I was the kid making up businesses in the living room , selling anything from Candy, Phone Cases, to shampoo!
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain and started using it as power when I realized that silence wasn’t helping me heal—it was only keeping me stuck. For a long time, I carried my struggles quietly, thinking it made me strong to just push through. But the turning point came when I began to share my story openly, first with those closest to me and then in my work helping others.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is a part of the real me, but it’s not the full picture. What people see publicly is my confidence, my work, my service, and the polished version I share — but that version is built on the real, unfiltered experiences I’ve had.
Behind the scenes, I’m still the same person: deeply driven, family-centered, and passionate about helping others. The difference is that the public version is more curated, while the private version is where my vulnerabilities, doubts, and quiet reflections live.
Both versions are authentic — just different layers of the same person.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m in quiet moments of reflection — early mornings with a cup of coffee, my journal, and no distractions. Those moments allow me to reset, pray, and center myself before the world starts pulling me in a million directions.
I also find deep peace when I’m serving others, especially through my work in mental health and community service. There’s something about helping someone else find hope or healing that calms my own spirit.
