Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Norwood.
Shannon, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Having spent almost 10 years in the Chicago Public Schools system, I realized it was time to devote my heart and passion into raising up my babies. Teaching special education in low-income areas takes a lot of patience and I felt I needed to give that part of myself to my children. Shortly after leaving the teaching field, I launched my website Graytmama.com I felt that Mama’s needed the cliff’s notes to guide to bringing up a baby, and I was going to give it to them. I would read every book our there, on every topic new mothers craved, and summarized it down to a snap. Let’s be real, what new mother has time to read all these books? This is where the entrepreneur bug really kicked in for me, and I realized I could never go back to a 9-5 gig.
Im not sure if creating life in my belly created life in my business life, but shortly after getting pregnant with my second child, I launched into my second business with Rodan + Fields. Yep, a direct selling company (shock and awe rolls through the crowd). Here’s the thing, the company and the products were just too good to not dive into this. 4 years later, I have a team of over 120 women sitting in the US, Canada, and Australia. Ranging from nurses, teachers, dentists, to photographers and more. No two women are alike and it’s my favorite part of this gig.
There is nothing more fulfilling than running my 2 businesses alongside my 3 small kiddos. There is pure joy in being able to never miss a beat with either passion. I kind of feel like I am having my cake and eating it too!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Is it ever a smooth road?! Having your own business is a flipping roller coaster! My team name for my R + F business is Team Squeeze, because I always say, “The juice is worth the squeeze”. To young women, I say this: No matter what your passion is, keep at it, most people give up on what they want after just a few short months, and say it didn’t work. If you want it that bad, your drive and hard work will get you there and it will be worth it in the end. You can’t fail if you don’t quit, so just keep squeezing that juice.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Rodan + Fields and GraytMama – what should we know?
Rodan + Fields is a premium skincare brand that helps people achieve the best skin of their lives. These products set themselves apart from everything else out there because they are results driven. As we age, a nice smelling cream, just aint gonna cut it! Our products work to help people with acne, dark spots, aging, and sensitive skin. We also have products to AMP up your results, like our Lash Boost that helps women achieve the most gorgeous lashes without having to get the falsies.
GraytMama is the mama’s guide to “all things baby”. My website covers all things baby, including how to get your babe to sleep, down to how to wean your baby off that bottle. I don’t claim to be an expert, but having 3 kiddos in 3 years definitely gives you a little credibility on the topic. GraytMama will have you laughing, crying, and taking notes.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
Two words: Helping Others…
In high school, I volunteered my P.E. period to help my peers with special needs. Any opportunity I could get that allowed me to help others I was there. I think this ultimately lead me to become a special education teacher, in one of the worst areas in the city. I think I like to feel needed and I certainly feel like I’m going to burst when I can help others with pretty much anything (except on moving day). Graytmama allows me to help Mama’s feel supported when they might otherwise feel alone. My Rodan + Fields business has given me the chance to help hundreds of women grow their own businesses through my guidance and support. Being abundant during my time for others is a large reason my businesses continue to thrive.
Contact Info:
- Website: snorwood.myrandf.com graytmama.com
- Phone: 630-936-2534
- Email: shannoncasserly4@gmail.com
- Instagram: graytwood
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannon.c.norwood
Image Credit:
julienewellphotography
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