Daily Inspiration: Meet Sheridan Watkins

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheridan Watkins.

Hi Sheridan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
The story of how Shairpins was born is very layered. We can start with my childhood and the tyranny of struggling to find my confidence and self-worth. We can start with my journey into entrepreneurship that came with ups and downs wrapped up in recognition and tough lessons. Or we can start with me beginning therapy and realizing I was battling depression while chasing my goals.

It all shaped the foundation of Shairpins and what I realized most is validation from others will never fulfill our happiness because that can change every day. However, what should never change is how we feel about ourselves and the One who created us because we were validated upon entering the world.

Life is all about exploring what IS and it’s a never-ending yet completely fulfilling experience. I began to create jewelry, accessories, and arrangements to help women remember they are special and chosen.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t believe a smooth road in entrepreneurship exists. It’s important to know that early on. Recently, I didn’t win a pitch competition and it almost made me question what I was doing. Thankfully, and after talking with God, I realized it’s more important to reflect on the work put into getting to that point.

I overcame obstacles and challenges to continue innovating and broadcasting my brand and message. And that led me to be chosen to pitch my business! It was already ordained that I wouldn’t win but I had another valuable lesson I needed that the victory wouldn’t have given me. From every successful person I have admired, their stories were all peppered with successes and failures, with more failures showing on the scoreboard.

It made me realize every obstacle and challenge leads to your next breakthrough. That’s the secret, where most will take it as a sign to stop, failure is a sign to continue.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I create handcrafted floral jewelry, accessories, and arrangements. Using unorthodox materials like fabric and felt, I repurpose these textures in visual works of wearable art. Shairpins is known for its uniqueness and we’re all about expressing it proudly.

It’s a powerful thing when a woman discovers who she is and we are here to support her in every emotion and phase of life. We use our creations as tools and reminders for women to believe in their worth.

Our jewelry is so lightweight and something you’ve never seen before, our bouquet arrangements will be here for you forever, and our interchangeable Pin accessories allow you to wear them as a hair clip, necklace, brooch, and pair of earrings!

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Immerse yourself in business opportunities, even when you think you aren’t ready for it. If your business makes you excited, it’s time to spread the good news. I began with my local city, Winston-Salem, NC. It housed the Small Business Center which is a hub with many resources, including mentors (offering their time for free) for new entrepreneurs and beyond.

And it’s almost like a domino effect from there and believing you will meet the right people to take you higher. The Small Business Center allowed me to be connected to other organizations like Hustle Winston-Salem for example, who focus on minority and women entrepreneurs.

All of this forces you to speak more about your business and it becomes a less intimidating way of networking. You are always going to meet new people so think of it as a journey, not a goal.

Contact Info:

• Email: sheridan@shairpins.com
• Website: www.shairpins.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/shairpinsgarden
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/shairpinsgarden

Image Credits
Devin Lane