Today we’d like to introduce you to Shayla Treadwell.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve always enjoyed helping others and building community in creative ways. Because of my innate desire, growing up, I always found myself in leadership roles and in environments where creativity could flourish. I wanted to make sure that those individuals who had something unique and inspiring to say had a microphone or platform where they could say it in a curated way that grabbed the attention of others in a positive way. I would love to say, “And that is how we birthed Treadwell Agency!”, but the truth is, that journey took much more time.
I found that building the agency was like being a potter on a wheel when you first start trying to make your pot, things can sometimes go out of whack and clay can end up everywhere – oh did we end up everywhere. But, on the journey, I have learned to fail fast and continue to learn along the way. Through examining the root cause of why things don’t work out always, there are pearls of wisdom that can be gained. What is amazing is that it is through faith, wisdom, and education that anything is possible.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to building Treadwell Agency truly was not a smooth one. My husband and I first start partnering in building businesses when we were in college. Our first company did not work out so well – we had communication issues and did not consider all the factors that were needed to start a successful business. We encountered partners that failed to hold up their end of the bargain and not to mention we launched our first company during one of America’s greatest financial crises. During this time, I was laid off, fighting illness, depressed and not to mention, a newlywed.
There were moments where I simply wanted to give up on everything, but in the quietness, there was always a voice that told me that I was made for so much more than giving up. It was during this season that I became even more rooted in my personal relationship with God and my faith and began to focus on what mattered the most. In doing that I could work towards building a happy marriage, finish my master’s degree and start my doctorate, and begin to manage our businesses more efficiently and effectively. It was also during this season that we could evaluate the return on investment of the businesses we had invested in and started to determine if it was something we wanted to continue. Businesses are like any other living organism, there is a season of new beginnings, thriving and the end – you should know where you are in your season so that you can move forward accordingly.
There are going to be some things that you should do in life that you don’t want to do like, working two jobs to fund your dreams, going back to school to get the education you need for your dream or staying up all night to work on project for a client, but it takes hard work to reach your goals. When you are building your empire, you should be all in. Is it a difficult journey, yes – is it impossible, absolutely not.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Treadwell Agency – what should we know?
I am a results-driven vision capitalist that specializes in organizational psychology, information security, and building brands that are meaningful. With that comes several investment opportunities, but my current focus is on Treadwell Agency and Treadwell Media.
Treadwell Agency is a consulting company that is focused on organizational development, strategic marketing, and executive coaching. We service organizations ranging from small businesses to non-profits. it is our goal to help people and their organizations to develop strong brands that can grow and sustain the test of time. We believe that this is possible through understanding market positioning and creating the right opportunities for growth. Many times what we want our customer to see is not what they see, therefore our businesses suffer – changing the lens that we are asking others to use can make all the difference.
Treadwell Media is the creative services and media arm of our organization. Treadwell Media is the parent of “TreadSteady” and “The Gospel Live” Networks. These networks house several podcasts and web-shows that focus on empowerment and storytelling. It is the goal of Treadwell Media to bring forth thought-provoking content that shares stories that brings positivity to media. It is also under Treadwell Media where we have a group of designers, web developers, and other digital creators who help bring others stories to life.
I believe the thing that sets us apart from other is that we care about our clients and their growth. We take an organizational development approach to serving our clients, therefore we walk with our clients through helping them to build a successful business or media venture. Our clients know that we are all at once they start working with us.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
I absolutely feel that there are many opportunities available for women today. I believe that women have the power to change the world. Today, there are more women completing degrees, starting their own businesses and serving in leadership than ever before. I feel that women should continue to empower each other to rise through the ranks. I do not believe that women should be afraid or silent in speaking up against inequality – we should make the problem known to fix it and encourage our girls that they can be the leaders and influencers that we know they can be.
I feel that with the resources available today, there could be more women business owners, politicians and overall game changers in the world. Developing a strong mentorship network is important and building a community where young ladies are encouraged to lead is important. Having one woman in leadership is good, but it is not enough. I’m often encouraged when I can work with women business owners at Treadwell Agency. Their drive and tenacity help encourage me to push harder in my business and personal life.
Contact Info:
- Website: TreadwellAgency.com
- Phone: 312-982-0355
- Email: hello@TreadwellAgency.com
- Instagram: TreadwellAgency
- Facebook: TreadwellAgency
- Other: TreadSteady.com
Image Credit:
Treadwell Agency
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