Name: Shawn Blanchard
Age: 33
Profession: Mentorship specialist, author, speaker, and entrepreneur
One Word That Describes You: Perspective
What does being one of the BEMM 100 Men of Distinction mean to you?
Being one of the BEMM 100 Men of Distinction is an honor and privilege. It serves as a statement; belonging to a cohort of men that are making an impact with their mere existence. It means that as a people, we are inching closer to the understanding that life’s answers are all around us with tangible men doing great work!
What are some examples of how you turned struggle into success?
Growing up on the west side of Detroit, I didn’t have the best examples, nor did I have rules after my grandmother passed away when I was 12. A couple years later, I lost a brother and my father. It was at this time when I needed to be led that I actually began to lead my younger brother. Through the process of being his big brother/father figure, I began to build the leadership skills as a mentor and gained an entrepreneurial mindset. Let’s just say, I had to be creative at an early age. My ability to sell illegal products transformed when I gained knowledge of legal products that I could leverage with passion and purpose.
What is an important quality you look for in your relationships with others?
I look for genuine communication. Without that, it’s a key root of tarnished relationships.
What are some immediate projects you are working on?
Currently, I am working on Shawn Blanchard Productions, LLC; a company I developed to publish my new book, How ‘Bout That For A Crack Baby: Keys to Mentorship and Success. I’ll be launching two book tours to engage our human capital to become mentors. Simultaneously, it will enlighten youth and young adults alike to yearn for mentorship with an outlet to receive it.
I am also the style advisor and co-owner of SnapSuits, which is a custom suit company that provides high quality custom suits for $250 with a 14 day delivery. Throughout my book tours, I will be providing custom suits for a number of individuals that are deemed well-suited for the blessing.
What is the best advice you ever received?
Seek to understand yourself by following your curiosity. Eventually, you will end up at your purpose.
What is some advice you have for other men who want to make a difference?
Don’t ask for permission to be great or make an impact; the answers are all around you! The answer is you.
How do you prep for an important business meeting and/or event?
I am an agenda king! In order to stay focused and on track, I like to have all of my needed materials ready. These materials include flow of conversation, understanding of stake holders involved, and a clear understanding of how I can add value to both stake holders and the audience involved. Additionally, I like to make it easy for everyone to have action items and due dates. Preparation is key, and understanding Murphy’s Law is a virtue.
As a busy Modern Man, how do you unwind on vacation? Share a story about your best vacation.
This is an area where I am still developing; not because of a lack of vacation, but having the ability to live on vacation. I actually tell myself that my work is my vacation, because I love what I do. Often times, seeing plans unfold and simply aiding others does something to me that a vacation can’t. On the other hand, I’m pretty simple. Waking up to the endless ocean in Miami, with sunglasses on, and feeling the sun gives me a spiritual high from understanding that man didn’t create the sun or the ocean. It’s surreal and peaceful.
If you could travel and stay anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Right now, I have my heart set on Dubai. It has a blend of extreme modernization and the past. It’s absolutely unique when it comes to architecture, play, safety, luxury, and relaxation.
Anything else you’d like to say?
Living life on purpose for purpose allows us to always live on vacation.
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