Meet: Author Shaleea Venney

Tell us a bit about yourself and purpose journey:
I am a best selling Author, Speaker, and Podcast Host. I am just a regular girl who decided to use my gifts to unlock my purpose. I was the teen mom that everyone wrote off and said would never recover from the toll that having a baby at 16 could have on your life. I dusted myself off, married my daughters father, and decided that I would flip the unfavorable statistic to a favorable one. I worked hard and became a Nurse, but knew I was destined to be more because my desire to seriously write never left my mind. Finally, I started writing my book Little Girl, Little Girl, Don't Get Lost in This World. It was initially a book for my daughter because I knew that if I- the smart girl on the road to Harvard - could end up pregnant and dropping out of school, anyone could. It was supposed to be a guide for my daughter- full of honest advice, wisdom and tips to keep her on the right track. When I finished it, I realized how many other girls needed it and I published it. The response was so overwhelming, it changed everything. From that book, I built my nonprofit Venney Girl Inc. aimed at helping at risk young women overcome, and an awesome speaking career. Little did I know I was just getting started... ​

Please share a few of your 2020 business accomplishments: 
In 2020 I have hit the best-selling authors list 2 times. I have spoken at a dozen virtual conferences, I have signed my first celebrity client whom I will be helping to ghostwrite their manuscript and also with some of their online content. 

What has been your biggest lesson this year? 
The biggest lesson I learned this year is that we are not invisible and we don't have as much time as we think. This year has been especially hard for so many people given the pandemic. While some of us have been fortunate and blessed enough to remain in a good place financially and from a health standpoint, so many others are reeling from the devastation of the pandemic. So many have lost loved ones. 2020 has taught me to live and love harder. It has taught me to push further and not take anything for granted. The main thing that keeps a lot of people complacent about this life is that they feel they have more time. 2020 has reminded me that life is short, none of us are promised tomorrow and we need to live each day on purpose. 

What is next for you?
I will be co-hosting a new show on Facebook Watch about relationships where people will be able to call in for live Q&A, I am slated to speak at a few career changing conferences for women, I will travel to Africa to speak to young women, my Podcast will officially go live in 2021, I have some very cool projects coming that I can't quite share yet and, of course I will be releasing more books- My next one which is all about self love titled: I Might Need Therapy! 

How can readers support your business and connect with you online?
You can learn more about me and what I am doing on my website ShaleeaVenney.com, my books are available on Amazon, Walmart, Barnes and Noble, Apple Books, Kobo, local libraries, or wherever you buy your books. Follow me on IG @Shaleea_Venney and Facebook @AuthorShaleeaVenney