Tori Green: Who are you? What do you do?
Shelby Young: Shelby Young. Stay at home wifey, Crypto Connoisseur, sounding board, travel agent (LOL)
Tori: What was your first business (including running your own business)? How long did this last or are you still involved in the same business?
Shelby: I worked in sales for many years! It taught me that I don't actually love people that much! HA! Kidding! But really, I loved the travel aspect of sales! I met some friends that'll last a lifetime! But I wanted to create my own schedule and that was easier said than done working for someone else!
Tori: Biggest challenge? How did you get through it?
Shelby: I called it quits! I knew working for someone wasn't what I needed in this chapter of life!
Tori: What did you do before owning your own/running your business?
Shelby: I worked in wholesale home and gift sales! It's this great little company based out of Northern California!
Tori: What/who made you take the first leap?
Shelby: Ross ha! He's the outlaw and lives life on the edge! I've always been more for stability and structure!
Tori: Who was the first to believe in you and give you real support (financial/sweat equity)?
Shelby: My husband.. always! No one pushes me out of my comfort zone and supports me more than he does!
Tori: Was this your dream job? If not, what was?
Shelby: My mom and I have always joked that we want to lay on the beach somewhere, sip on cocktails and name nail polish colors! OPI, Essie... if you're listening... Call me!
Tori: What is your biggest failure that you turned into a success?
Shelby: I gained a lot of weight around the time my dad died. I was unhappy at work and it was just a sad time. It felt like I didn't have much control over my own reality. During the pandemic, I was finally forced to put myself first! I worked out daily and showed myself what control you can take of your own life! Things fall into place when you take control and put your big girl panties on and stop having a pity party! Adulthood is the worst hood.. it ebbs and flows... but you control your own destiny!
Tori: If you could change one thing about your life today for the better, what would it be?
Shelby: I hate the thought of changing something - because it may change something else unintentionally! So I'll keep everything as is! HA!
Tori: How is your life/work balance? Body, mind, and soul weekly routine?
Shelby: I try to get everything that's a must-do, for work, life etc, done right away! Then... tennis, booze cruise, nightly prayers... Repeat! And always looking for signs in between (from my dad, from the universe etc).
Tori: Do you say/write out affirmations?
Shelby: Yes, I do! I have this weekly self care calendar I make! I write down affirmations, mental, spiritual and physical focuses! I tape it up on the door in our bathroom! I write affirmations that I say out loud, workout schedules.... even down to when to use my hair mask or whiten my teeth! This helps me have more intention in my life.
Tori: When was the last time you tried something new/ Stepped out of routine?
Shelby: I started playing tennis about 6 months ago! I took a decade-long break! I sort of spontaneously signed up for lessons and it's been a life changer! At first, I was so terrible and thought I was going to meet my death on those hot courts! But I kept going! It's so nice to have something that makes me so happy for 90 minutes that I don't think of how fucked the world is... or what I'm having for dinner! I'm fully immersed!
Tori: Favorite book that changed your life?
Shelby: Greenlights by Matthew Mc. He's hilarious! Laughed, cried... all the things! Here's some good quotes!
When we know what we want to do - knowing when to do it is the hard part!"
"Don't walk into a place like you wanna buy it, walk in like you own it!"
"We can not fully appreciate the light without the shade"
"If everything we did was right, we'd never know what was wrong!"
"Loose lips sink ships"
Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe - This helped me so much spiritually in a chapter when I was feeling stuck!
"It has been said that people cross our paths and enter our lives as either a blessing or a lesson. Often, it is both. Either they have something to teach us, or we have something to teach them, or, at best, we have something to teach each other. That is how this great chain of light and interconnection works."
"Prayer is when we direct our thoughts to God/the universe; meditation is when we listen back. It is not unusual to get downloads of information from the Other Side while meditating, because it creates a beautiful space for us to “listen back".
Tori: Do you think your gender gives you an advantage or disadvantage in today’s world?
Shelby: Both.. Sadly, I think we still live in a largely male dominated business world! No hate, no shade to men! I love my hubby and I'm thankful for the opportunities he's given because we're a team! But in my opinion, there are more seats at the table for men! I think we've come so far! Thanks to the generations of women before us! It's also interesting when traveling... Some cultures women are treated as if they're non-existent and in others we're the prized possession! In Puerto Rico, men are seen and heard far before women are! Eye roll! Other times - I feel like I have the upper hand!
Tori: Have you experienced different treatment from your peers of the opposite sex?
Shelby: There are not many women that are in crypto! I think this space is different from most male dominated industries. Most people are so excited for more women in this space! More adoption in crypto is always a good thing - no matter your race, gender, background etc. And that's a beautiful thing!
Tori: Thoughts on the glass ceiling?
Shelby: Surround yourself with supportive friends and family that will help you kick through that glass ceiling! They know your worth more than anyone (maybe more than yourself)!
Tori: What advice would you give your children/ future children about succeeding in a
patriarchal society?
Shelby: Jess Sims says on Peloton - when you think you're too small to make a difference - you've never slept with a mosquito in your room (or something like that)!
Run for president ha!
Tori: If you could talk to a young boy/girl from your hometown neighborhood who aspires to
have your career/job/focus what would tell them? Advice.
Shelby: I have more life advice than career advice! Get out of that town... even the state.... better yet, the country! I think it's so important to spread your wings and forge your own path! You can always go back! But swim against the stream young - while you have the energy to do it! Go do things that scare the shit out of you! That's what we call living! And don't be afraid to ask for help!
Tori: Fun fact about you?
Shelby: I grew up on a big farm in Mississippi! Cotton fields as far as you can see! I wouldn't trade it for anything!
Tori: Number one piece of advice you remember?
Shelby: "The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain" - Dolly...
This has always been such a good lesson! With every successful person, there's always shitty days, the days you have to dig deep, the unglamourous ones that make you question everything... most of the time these aren't on instagram for everyone to see.... but just know you're not alone!
Tori: Anything coming up for you that you want to talk about?
Shelby: Travel..pandemic is seemingly overrrrrrr.. Lett's gooo! You know I'm ready to hug some strangers! Gonna stretch my legs!
Tori: Where can we find you online?
Shelby: Call me old school... but I'm insta only @ShelbyBYoung