Dr. Shanna B. Van Ness is a Certified Business, Executive, and Life Coach. Also known as the Committed Action Queen specializing in personal growth, relationship, career, business, and executive coaching. Dr. Shanna maintains a private practice in Brooklyn, New York.
Serving as a private practitioner working with a broad spectrum of clients. In addition to being a professional Coach, she’s also presented nationally to general audiences speaking on the topics of Leadership Success, The Art of Mastering Relationships, Organizational Strategy, and many other areas.
Additionally, Dr. Shanna is a collaborative, solution-focused, results-oriented Coach. Through this approach, she provides support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges that will resolve extraordinary results. Integrating coaching techniques and helpful assignments to offer a highly personalized program tailored to her clients. With compassion and understanding, Dr. Shanna works with her clients to help build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they’re committed to achieving.
Dr. Shanna V. Coaching and Strategic Solutions is a Business Strategy & Consulting Company that supports individuals to clarify their vision to achieve extraordinary results while living life in committed action. How did you know that you had full clarity to pursue your career path?
Dr. Shanna: I knew I had the full clarity to pursue my career path because I do not look at the work that I do as a “career” per se. I look at what I do as
living in my passion while fulfilling my purpose in life. Therefore, through that lens, I am clear on my gifts and life in committed action living my purpose.
Being an entrepreneur can be very time-consuming. How do you balance family and career? Is there a balance?
Dr. Shanna: Wow! Yes, entrepreneurship can be very time-consuming. While growing as an entrepreneur I worked a full-time job and successfully finished it. Later in life I remarried and not only do I have two beautiful grown daughters, ages 25 and 22, I was also blessed with my Bonus daughter, 13, and my son, who just turned three.
At one point in my journey, I experienced burnout and I think at some point we all face it, but in different ways. After my experience of “burn-out”, I had to retrain myself in adding balance back into my life. So to ensure I get that balance, it is placed on my calendar and it is called “me time”.
Balance looks different for everyone. I balance family and living in my passion by making sure I go to the gym, go for a job, or listen to a book. I also make sure I add family engagements and family time into my schedule. One thing that has helped is when it is family time, I put the cellphone away and I do not check email. Quickly after my burnout, I learned that I cannot pour into others if my cup was empty.
You have a stellar track record in supporting your clients to achieve their goals. Who are some women in your life that have been a huge part of helping you achieve your goals?
Dr. Shanna: First, I would say my mother, who is no longer here physically. She was a huge part in helping me achieve educational goals because as a young single mother she was there to watch my girls as I completed my bachelor’s and Masters’ Degrees. She gave up many evenings for me to pursue my educational goals. I am also grateful to say that I have had many mentors during my journey.
To name a few, Louise Martin actually gave me my first “real job’ working in higher education. I can tell you from A — Z she was there building me up. Literally, from supporting me with buying professional attire to guiding me in my Masters’ Degree school of choice. She never gave up on me and I am very grateful for that. Karen Booker, another amazing mentor. She supported me through some trying times when I was ready to jump out of higher education and pursue my entrepreneurial goals. I can honestly say that these women had my back and I am forever grateful. “We Lift As We Climb” and these women were there lifting me as they too were climbing and I get to lift others.
For our readers who are just learning about your work and want to inquire about seeking your services, what would you say to them?
Dr. Shanna: I would say that if you are feeling stuck in an area of your professional and/or personal life know that there is a way to get unstuck. If you desire to get unstuck and live your life in committed action passionately fulfilling your purpose, contact Dr. Shanna V. Coaching so we can clarify your vision to achieve extraordinary results now.
What are you most excited about for the relaunch of your talk show “The Living Room”? When does it air?
Dr. Shanna: With the re-launch of the show, I am excited that I am adding a new ingredient. I want to highlight the work of business leaders that provide
strategic solutions that can support entrepreneurial and community growth. This time “The Living Room” will be more of a resource-oriented show that provides strategic solutions, and supports the growth and development of others. I am working on a few more details and hope to re-launch in the last quarter of this year. So definitely stay tuned.
What are some of the proudest moments in your career so far?
Dr. Shanna: Personally, I feel like the proudest moments in my entrepreneurial journey were walking across the stage when I received my Ph.D. and seeing my daughter’s face and how proud and excited she was for me. I stepped off the stage and she said “Wow, mom you did it”. I cannot say that I have one proud moment professionally. My proudest moments are when my clients walk away feeling they have achieved the results they are seeking and gaining clarity on where they seek to go next. I am clear that I am here to be a light that lights others, and when my clients walk away feeling empowered that makes me proud.
Now that the world has reopened before our eyes, what’s next for Dr. Shanna?
Dr. Shanna: I would say the re-launch of “The Living Room”. My 2022 project launch of the “Committed Action Calendar” will support anyone in setting goals, self-reflection, creating healthy habits, and ultimately living life in committed action. And, who knows what God has in store. Whatever it is I trust it will be meant to be.
Keep up-to-date with Dr. Shanna by connecting on Instagram @drsbvanness
Photo Credit Slingshots Atlanta /Content: Tammy Reese
