Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawnnita Buckner.
Hi Shawnnita, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey has never followed a straight line, it has evolved through seasons of leadership, service, motherhood, and entrepreneurship.
I began my career in operations and communications, eventually transitioning into project management where I had the opportunity to build and multiple Project Management Offices. Over the last decade, I served on leadership teams and led large-scale strategic initiatives focused on growth, technology implementation, and operational excellence. I’m grateful for the foundation that season gave me, it sharpened my ability to think strategically, manage complexity, and lead with both vision and structure.
At the same time, my personal life was shaping me just as much as my professional one. Becoming a mother transformed my priorities and deepened my commitment to community. I became actively involved in advocacy work for babies, toddlers, and families, served on nonprofit boards, and leaned into leadership roles within our local schools and PTA. I’ve always believed leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about impact.
In 2024, my husband and I launched Simply SignSational, a yard greeting and custom keepsake company rooted in celebration and connection. What began as a creative idea quickly became an extension of who we are as a family, we love bringing joy to others. Whether it’s a birthday, a graduation, a school event, or a milestone moment, we get to help families pause and celebrate life’s most meaningful occasions.
Today, I operate at the intersection of strategy and creativity. I use my project management background to run a growing business with excellence and intention, while also pouring into my community through school leadership, advocacy, and mentorship.
If there’s one theme woven throughout my story, it’s this: every season prepared me for the next. Corporate leadership prepared me to build. Motherhood shaped my heart. Community work strengthened my voice. And entrepreneurship has allowed me to combine all of it — purpose, passion, and people — into something that feels both meaningful and aligned.
I’m still building, still learning, and still evolving. But I’m grateful for the journey that brought me here.
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 definitely has not been a completely smooth road, and I think that’s true for most meaningful journeys.
Professionally, transitioning from a structured corporate leadership role into entrepreneurship required a major mindset shift. In the corporate world, you often have teams, systems, and established infrastructure. As a business owner, especially in the beginning, you are the strategy team, the marketing department, customer service, operations, and logistics — all at once. Learning to balance big-picture vision with the day-to-day execution was both humbling and stretching.
There have also been personal challenges along the way. Navigating major health setbacks while trying to maintain leadership responsibilities at home, in the community, and in business required me to slow down in ways I wasn’t used to. I’ve had seasons where I physically couldn’t operate at my usual pace. That forced me to rethink productivity, delegate more, accept help, and redefine what strength really looks like.
Financial uncertainty is another reality of entrepreneurship that people don’t always talk about openly. Building something from the ground up requires investment, patience, and faith, especially in the early stages before momentum builds. There are moments of doubt, moments of exhaustion, and moments where you question whether you’re doing enough.
But every struggle has shaped me. Challenges have strengthened my resilience, clarified my priorities, and deepened my appreciation for community and family support. I’ve learned that success isn’t about avoiding hardship, it’s about growing through it. The road hasn’t been perfectly smooth, but it has been purposeful.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Simply SignSational was created with one core purpose: to help families and organizations celebrate life’s most meaningful moments in a way that feels personal, elevated, and unforgettable.
We specialize in premium yard greeting displays, custom backdrops, and keepsakes for birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, school events, athletic achievements, and community celebrations. What began as birthday yard signs has evolved into full-scale celebration experiences, from photo boards and balloon installations to custom-themed displays tailored to the personality and interests of the guest of honor.
What truly sets us apart is that we don’t treat celebrations as transactions, we treat them as milestones. Every display is thoughtfully designed with intention. We ask questions. We learn about the child who loves basketball, the graduate headed into STEM, the grandmother turning 70 surrounded by generations of family. Then we design something that reflects their story.
My background in project management plays a huge role in how we operate. We bring structure, professionalism, and reliability to an industry that can sometimes feel informal. Our clients know that when they book with us, communication will be clear, timelines will be honored, and details will be executed with excellence. Creativity matters, but so does operational integrity.
We’re also deeply rooted in community. We partner with local schools, PTAs, youth sports organizations, and nonprofits. Supporting the same families we serve is important to us. We are not just placing signs in yards, we are building relationships within the neighborhoods we live in.
Brand-wise, I am most proud that Simply SignSational represents joy, celebration, and trust. Our brand stands for professionalism with heart. We want people to feel excited when they see our work, but also confident when they hire us.
I want readers to know that we are more than yard signs. We are memory makers. We help create those “look out the window and smile” moments. We help parents surprise their children. We help schools elevate events. We help families pause and celebrate in the middle of busy lives.
And for us, that’s the most meaningful part of all.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I believe mentorship and networking are less about collecting contacts and more about building genuine relationships.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that mentors don’t always come in the form you expect. Some are formal like someone you intentionally ask to guide you. Others are informal like leaders you observe, learn from, and occasionally seek insight from when needed. I’ve benefited from both.
My advice for finding a mentor is to start with clarity. Know what season you’re in and what kind of guidance you’re looking for. Are you growing a business? Navigating leadership? Balancing career and family? When you’re clear about your needs, it becomes easier to identify someone who has walked that path well.
Then, approach with humility and respect. Instead of asking, “Will you be my mentor?” consider asking for a brief coffee meeting or a 20-minute conversation to seek advice on a specific topic. Most leaders are willing to share their experiences when the request is thoughtful and focused.
As for networking, what has worked best for me is leading with service. I don’t enter rooms thinking about what I can gain, I think about how I can contribute. Whether through PTA leadership, nonprofit board service, school partnerships, or community events, I’ve built strong relationships by showing up consistently and adding value. Over time, trust grows organically.
I also believe in the power of proximity. Get in rooms where growth is happening. Attend workshops. Volunteer for leadership roles. Join professional organizations. Some of the most impactful relationships I’ve built started simply because I was willing to be present and engaged.
Finally, follow up. A quick thank-you message, sharing a helpful resource, or checking in months later goes a long way. Networking isn’t a one-time interaction, it’s sustained connection.
For me, the most meaningful opportunities have come not from aggressive networking, but from authentic community. When you lead with integrity, consistency, and a willingness to serve, the right relationships tend to find you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://simplysignsational.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simply_signsational
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/SimplySignSational
Image Credits
If you’d like to credit the photographer who captured the photo of my husband and I, here is her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Etk1CHd3w/?mibextid=wwXIfr
