It’s Time to Own Your Voice
That’s the message I took from my conversation with vocalist Shalisa James. Do I try to create what I think they want or do I step out and offer what I have to give?
Show Notes: Shalisa James is an award-winning vocalist, a member of Toxic Audio and the owner of a business, Entertainment Central that provides singers and entertainment to markets, cruise ships and events around the world. As a vocalist, she performs in the groups she sends out and as a business owner she does all the things! Scheduling, coaching, managing a team, payroll, marketing, and creating the product — designing the shows and the song lists. That’s what hits me right in my heart — an artist who has built a business that serves a greater audience and employs other great artists. The commitment it takes to be an entrepreneur and get it all done, while maintaining your own voice blows me away. I know so many of you are doing that right now. I want you to hear Shalisa’s message, because you deserve to be reminded that your voice counts. Your voice matters. Your vision and the business you've built matters.
That’s what Shalisa did in this pandemic. When her business shut down, she focused again on her own creativity, her own artistry and her own voice. Literally. She turned fifty this month and released her own album. After decades of doing session work, producing other people’s work and singing back up to other people Shalisa decided to celebrate her landmark with songs from each decade of her life. Her new album Five Decades is wonderful and so is her determination to be true to herself. It’s a gift to all of us in this moment.
StoryMaven Takeaways:
Did you hear how she collaborated with people? She took hold of the resources at hand and was intentional about how she worked with each musician’s speciality.
She had a plan for the album and then discovered the theme of LOVE in the process. Sometimes we need to invest in our process and discover the universal theme as we go.
I loved how she talked about being in the best voice of her life. It’s so important to own our own platform. Own our own offering. Own what we have to give. Why is that so hard? I’m not sure, but I know I needed that message right now.
Shalisa’s journey to this album and to this moment was full of moments of being pushed by the circumstances to the next thing. Each time she stepped out and found the ground was there for her level. I hope you hear that. The work you’ve done to build your brand, to share your message HAS built the solid ground for your next level. Believe it.
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