Empowered Women Empower Women: Shantelle Jackson, The Studio Form - Founder

I am so proud to launch our new feature “Empowered Women Empower Women,” where I interview strong female entrepreneurs to learn more about their journey and how they overcame obstacles. Of course, they offer all of the advice to help fellow entrepreneurs! I am truly honored to begin this feature with someone who inspires me daily - Shantelle Jackson, the founder of The Studio Form - a philanthropy-based Lagree studio located in Houston, Texas. Check out her story!

Tell us all about what you do: I founded my giving back dream! I always wanted to own a company that would make a positive impact for my community. So I founded a Lagree Studio that donates $5 of every class taken, back to our local nonprofits. Our clients are creating positive ripples daily, by working on themselves through fitness and at the same time, giving back their $5 donation to someone who is in need.

How did you get started? I knew from a very early age that I was meant to live a giving back life. My father came from real hardships as a kid and I learned early on that I wasn't going to sit back and let another kid, as wonderful as my father, go through their hardships alone. Fast forward many years of volunteering, I was sitting in a Los Angeles Lagree class, where I had sat many times before, and a lightbulb went off in my head saying "This was it! This was how I was going to give back!"

I had witnessed how the Lagree Method had changed people who took classes with health benefits but also gained growth in self confidence. I wanted to take it a step further by making it a positive circle and created FORM. At FORM, you work on yourself and by default through your $5 donation you are ALSO helping out someone who needs help more.

What were some of your biggest struggles in the beginning and how did you overcome them? I firmly believe that energy flows where thoughts go. When I was building FORM, I was very intentional with whom I spent my time and what information I was consuming. I was selective to make sure that my thoughts and energy stayed positive. There's a lot of scary "what-ifs" and I chose (and still do!) to keep my horse blinders on and not travel down that road.

What is the most influential piece of advice that has stuck with you throughout your entrepreneurial journey? Brene Brown said it best! - "If you're not in the arena also getting your ass kicked, I'm not interested in your feedback."

What is one imperative action that you did in the beginning that set you up for success? I didn't take "no" for an answer. If "no" was in the way of the path I wanted to take, I found a different way over, under or through it.

Would you do anything differently, looking back on your journey? I wouldn't change a thing. Not one. Everything, even the bumps in the road, have led me to where I am exactly supposed to be.

If you had any advice to give a new or struggling entrepreneur, what would it be? First, make sure what you are trying to accomplish is truly you and only you. Second, if you feel it in the depths of your gut then just keep moving forward and don't stop until you get there.

What is the most rewarding part about being a female entrepreneur? Creating a platform to step out on and offer a hand up to the next woman following her heart.

Describe an average day in the life of YOU: Wearing 55 hats while juggling 62 balls but I wouldn't have it any other way.

What is a recent accomplishment that you are super proud of? Making the scary decision to give up all security and follow my heart.

What does empowerment mean to you? To me, empowerment means being truly happy with all of yourself.

Who is someone who empowered or inspired you to get to where you are now? My dad.

How do you find balance between boss babe and personal life? What do you do for self care? This took a while to learn how to balance because the lines get easily blurred. I stopped checking my phone for emails, texts and FORM's social media accounts when I'm at home. As soon as I walk into my house, my phone is out of my hand and put on the charger where it stays until the business starts the next day. Then I can be present and in the moment with my loved ones.

How do you continuously find empowerment and inspiration? I surround myself with a lot of positive content in books and podcasts. I love and crave to constantly learn and grow.

What are some of your entrepreneur-related goals for the next few months or years? Growing FORM so that we can grow our community impact even bigger!

What are some of your biggest doubts and fears? Feeling inadequate despite my successes.

How do you overcome doubts and fears? I think it's human nature to feel inadequate at times so I remind myself of that and don't let myself sit in those thoughts. Daily breath work is definitely key too!

How can readers see what you're up to? Catch our Instagram or website!