Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Shannon Carroll, Founder of The Exodus Group, located in Sellersburg, IN, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is multi-faceted as I help women experience personal wellness transformation - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I offer inspirational messages as I speak to groups of people about our bizarre and life-changing amnesia story, which prompted us to write our best-selling book, "One Thing Remains." I also share Bible teaching and devotional messages with my audience. And as a Registered Nurse, I love helping people find whole-personal wellness on their own health journey. I often connect my clients with natural products from Young Living Essential Oils, which have been life-changing for my family and the hundreds of families that I serve.
Tell us about yourself
I am a Registered Nurse by trade and from a medical family, yet I had never considered how interconnected our body, mind, and spirit are - and that we can actually prevent disease instead of just treating it. I started my wellness path in 2014 when I was looking for a way to keep our young boys out of the pediatrician's office, which had become a frequent flier destination for our family. I was introduced to Young Living Essential Oils and the wellness education I received opened my eyes to this new world of holistic health and the concept of taking individual responsibility for our own vitality. I started seeing results immediately and couldn't help but share with my friends the answers I was getting. A business was birthed, which eventually provided for me to leave my job in corporate healthcare and run my own business at home.
In 2019, my pastor-husband experienced an unanticipated and very bizarre 26 days with amnesia, where he could not remember the last 10ish years of our life. The doctors could not find anything wrong with him medically, so they diagnosed him with stress-induced memory loss, brought on by years of unaddressed, cumulative stress. He was miraculously healed on day 26 of this nightmare! But the five lessons we learned through this dramatic experience completely turned our lives upside down. We wrote a book detailing life with amnesia, along with teachings about these five life-changing lessons. It quickly became a best-seller and birthed another business of speaking, sharing our story, and using our platform to inspire others to reduce stress, change the course of their lives and ultimately find the "One Thing that Remains" - without having to lose their own minds in the process.
I get fired up when I encounter women, moms, entrepreneurs, and fellow pastor's wives who are seeking something different and are hungry for wellness and growth in all areas of life. Witnessing personal, physical, and spiritual transformations is what motivates me to keep sharing the truth each day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I am so grateful that my home-based business afforded me my dream of leaving the corporate healthcare (i.e., "sick-care") system to be home full-time, helping people who truly want to be well! I would also say that authoring a best-selling book with my husband was another major life accomplishment.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
As a homeschooling mom, pastor's wife, and business owner, one of the hardest aspects is time management and "doing it all." Working out of my home is a challenge because everywhere I look, there's something that needs to be done. I wear so many hats at one time, and it can start to feel overwhelming. I've had to learn to let go of many tasks and hats, get very clear on my laser-focused priorities in each season, be intentional about resting and find time to accomplish my goals.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Being your own boss is so thrilling and rewarding! I highly recommend it for those who are disciplined and motivated - the world needs your voice and God-given talents! The top 3 tips I'd give are:
- Get very clear on your mission this season, and don't get bogged down with all the other tempting side projects.
- Continually evaluate your audience and who you are serving: who is responding to your messages, who is not? Are you reaching the people you feel called to serve? If not, how can you tweak your message or method?
- Be willing to hire outside help! Paying for assistance in the areas that don't bring you joy is worth it. Examples: website management, emails, house-cleaning, accounting, etc. These are areas where I have outsourced, and having another expert handle those areas frees me up to focus on what I do best!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I hope and pray that my story can help inspire other women to get out of the stuck cycle of survival mode and have hope that transformation and more abundant life is possible!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://shannonlcarroll.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shannon-L-Carroll-224864032856430
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannon.l.carroll/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-carroll-386111207/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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