Check Out Sherricka Carpenter Stanley’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherricka Carpenter Stanley. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Wife. Mother. Author. Bookstore/Gift Shop Owner. Sherricka Carpenter Stanley is a former educator turned full-time author and Bookstore/Gift Shop Owner. Taking the “jump” during the pandemic year of 2020 to pursue her dream of someday being an author and a business owner, she would write and self-publish her first book, “I Fit IN Just Right: Me and My Family” in December of 2020.

She is the Principal Author and Founder of Wabash To Worthing Publishing, LLC. Sherricka decided to go the route of self-publishing after seeking much wise counsel and seeing the need for representation in children’s literature for people of color. Her passion for this is what led her to go forth with becoming a full-time author.

On September 18, 2021, Sherricka would add running a Bookstore/Gift Shop to her resume. Partnering with a local Black-owned restaurant, Ben’s Boyz, much like the curator in a museum, she would take the space they wanted for community creatives and turn it into what some have dubbed the “Black Cracker Barrel.” Sherricka has turned this quaint space into what is now the fixture of an award-winning restaurant here in the Triad of NC. The partnership has proven to be a winning combination.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some of the challenges that Sherricka would face along the way are some of the same most felt during this time. Navigating life during a national pandemic. All while trying to learn this new venture of being self-published and maintaining the already busy schedule of being a mother of three very active children.

It was and still is hard to navigate everyone’s schedules, maintain professionalism at all times, and continue to write for future projects coming up. Sherricka credits her faith and her family for keeping her grounded throughout this process. It was their unwavering support that helped her to navigate financially, personally, and professionally. To God be all the glory!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Sherricka is creative in every sense of the word. She brings life to whatever projects she lays her hands on and this has proven to be her biggest strength. She has managed to write books, open a Bookstore/Gift Shop and help others along the way to fulfill their dreams. She is currently finishing up her second book and dreams of helping others to publish their own books, as well.

In her Bookstore/Gift shop named Next Chapter, she gives space to fellow creatives for them to have their jewelry, candles, artwork, books, and the like for public consumption. It is truly a blessing and a dream fulfilled of hers from years ago.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Leaving a steady job and paycheck during the middle of a pandemic is unheard of. While many were clamoring to keep their jobs, Sherricka decided to leave hers and JUMP! This was a huge risk because there were a lot of unknowns for all of us during that time. Not to mention there was no precedent for her to follow, no safety net (other than her family), and honestly, there was no CLEAR direction at the time of how this was going to turn out!

BUT GOD! When you see BUT in the bible, something BIG is about to happen. When Sherricka took this leap of obedience, things immediately begin to fall into place. God put the right people in place for Sherricka to not only JUMP but then to land and dance! She has not looked back since that time. That has been only a little over a year. Just goes to show just how PERFECT God’s time can be for us when we follow HIS lead!

Contact Info:

• Email: info@sherrickacarpenterstanley.com
• Phone: 336-541-6161
• Website: www.sherrickacarpenterstanley.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherricka_author/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author-Sherricka-Carpenter-Stanley-100868695188122/