Sharise M. Nance, LCSW, CCTP
Vitamin C Healing
HandinHand Counseling Services, LLC
How many years have you been in your industry?
I have 19 years of experience in the social services profession and 11 years as a practicing mental health therapist. My company HandinHand Counseling Services, LLC will celebrate 5 years on November 1, 2018. Vitamin C Healing will celebrate 2 years on December 1, 2018.
What has been your greatest inspiration?
My greatest inspiration has been witnessing those who have the odds stacked against them break barriers and smash stereotypes. I have recently been inspired by my father who pushed through the adversity of a chronic medical diagnosis by working hard to shift his mindset to adapt to a healthier lifestyle.
Name one person you consider a great role model and tell us why.
The person I consider as a great role model is Mrs. Michelle Obama. As the first African American First Lady, she handled her position with poise, grace, humility, modesty and class. She modeled the balance of strength, compassion and healthy submission of a wife, mother and a woman in leadership. Most importantly, she taught us “when they go low, we go high!”
What advice would you give to anyone about following their dreams?
The best thing that I have done that got me where I am today is taking multiple leaps throughout my career. One of the most humbling career experiences occurred during my freshmen year of college. I struggled with the transition and as a result nearly flunked out of college. I learned the powerful lesson of failure being a prerequisite to success. This experience positioned me to embrace failure, obstacles and adversity as an uncomfortable, but a necessary part of the process.
What is the biggest career or business mistake that you have ever made.
What would I do differently in business? Prior to opening my businesses; I would have invested more time and resources in creating a team to assist me in working on the business before I started working in the business. Over the past 5 years I have learned that at least 80 percent of your time must be invested on your business for you and your business to grow. I do not regret any part of my journey as the mistakes, setbacks, failures and adversity revealed strength in me that I did not know existed.
When did I become aware of my purpose?
I was shy and soft spoken as a child. I was surrounded by protectors who spoke up for me and often fought many battles for me. Entering the social service profession, I witnessed women, children, families and people of color struggle to find or use their voice for various reasons. These experiences were confirmations that my purpose was to find my voice to assist others in finding the strength and courage and using their voice.
“Stay true to you and trust the process. Remember, success is largely an inside job.”
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