Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheena Taylor.
Hi Sheena, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My passion for writing developed in high school in Memphis, TN, which also happens to be my hometown. After marriage and kids, my interest in writing got placed on the back burner. I knew that I had a calling and purpose on my life but I was never quite sure of what it was. I made every excuse not to pursue any of it out of fear and anxiety, which I lived with for many years. After our three daughters were born, I suffered with a tremendous amount of anxiety and fear of the unknown, fear of loss, fear of failure, etc. The pandemic in 2019 made things worse. I was at a very unproductive and stagnant place in my life. In 2021 my husband landed a new position as the Youth Director of a local church in San Antonio, TX. The night that he got the call, God also gave me my assignment. It was as if a light bulb went off and I had my true “Ah-Ha” moment. God revealed to me that He would not move our family to TX if I wasn’t obedient and faithful. My assignment was to come to TX, continue to work in ministry with my husband, write a book, speak to women about the struggles of fear and anxiety and share God’s Word with any and everyone who would listen. In July of 2021, we packed up and left TN and headed to TX. I was without a job for months when I first got here. It was a bit of a struggle to adjust. To pass the time, I began writing and that sparked my passion again. Before I knew it, I had written about 50 pages of my own testimony as it relates to fear and anxiety. I decided to make it a book. I also learned how to self-publish and brand myself in the meantime. The book was fully complete in March of this year and published on Amazon in April. It stayed #1 on New Releases in devotionals for almost a week after it was released! My assignment continued as I recently spoke at the NCCF Sisterhood Table Talk on Navigating Loss and it was a truly amazing experience! I’m also continuing to partner in ministry with my amazing husband of 16 years! So many doors have been opened and I am super excited, humble, and grateful to God! I owe Him everything and I’m excited about this next chapter in my life!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I can remember being super frustrated with the publishing process. In the beginning, I had a few publishing offers but they wanted thousands of dollars for me to publish my book and I just didn’t have it. Branding was also a challenge. Most services that I reached out to also wanted tons of money for marketing and branding. At the time, I wasn’t financially in a position to spend that kind of money. I did, however, spend countless hours researching on YouTube and learned how to self-publish, brand, and market myself, etc. I even learned the ins and outs of Canva, which I used to create my own book cover and brand myself. I just want to encourage anyone that’s reading to trust the process and stay the course. Life will throw us many curve balls but never give up on your dreams. If it’s something that you have a true passion and desire for continue working hard for it! Don’t let anyone or anything come in between what you know you were put on this earth to do!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the author of From Fear to Fearless: A 15-Day Devotional Journey to Becoming Fearless, Fierce and Fabulous! I wrote this book, not only to share my own testimony but to offer help for anyone who is struggling to overcome any obstacle. My goal is to encourage, inspire and motivate others to come out of hiding, find their true purpose in life, and not let fear hold them back! This book is indeed a journey as readers will be able to read a story, a scripture, a prayer, and complete an action step. I have also written and published a workbook titled: From Fear to Fearless: The Workbook Edition to give people the opportunity for self-discovery by incorporating some practical and fun activities to help overcome fear and anxiety. Both the book and workbook can be found on Amazon. I am also a speaker and the creator of the D.O.P.E Podcast. (Devoting Ourselves to Pray Every day) available on Spotify. I am most proud of myself for completing my book and not quitting. There were times when I wanted to give up but God had other plans. I am also proud that my girls get to see how much hard work and dedication pay off. I believe that my determination, my “Memphis grind” my confidence, and my genuine personality set me apart from others. Now at this stage in my life, I can honestly say that I am not afraid to go after my dreams and make them a reality.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Oh, growing up I was very shy. I didn’t like big crowds and really didn’t like speaking in front of anyone. What a coincidence! However, I was very smart and funny. Anyone that knew me as a little kid knew that I loved to dance and still do to this day. My cousins and I made up so many dance routines together, I even wanted to be a background dancer when I grew up. I loved to read, watch movies, and travel. Every year when I was a kid our family would go to Orlando, Fl. Florida is still one of my favorite vacation spots. I would say that dancing, writing, and listening to music remains at the top of my list when it comes to my most enjoyable hobbies. It’s what gets me through when I’ve had a rough day.
Pricing:
- From Fear to Fearless: A 15 Day Devotional Journey to Becoming Fearless, Fierce and Fabulous $13.99
- From Fear to Fearless: The Workbook Edition $11.99
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sheenamtaylor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamsheenamtaylor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheena.taylor.7902
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YQJBHZJ/ref=tsm_1_tp_tc
