My name is Shala Waines and I have a passion for providing a supportive foundation. I believe we all should have dreams that are accomplishable and strive hard to make sure they are met. No one should get up each day dreading to do what they do to make a living. Corporations have shown me by way of unfair treatment, pay and opportunities for growth, that I was merely a number and easily replaceable. That is when I decided to start my own business and soon to employ others with the same mindset! Entrepreneurship and financial stability!
I started working when I was 16 years old. I was a cashier at Taco Bell in Hemet California. Once I moved to Roanoke Virginia at the age of 17 after my mom unexpectedly passed away, I began working at ladies footlocker! I had a fetish for tennis shoes so the majority of my money went to those.
After I moved out on my own at the age of 18, I started working for different companies and organizations. Never really knowing what my niche was.
I’d say when I was in my mid-20s I started working in the healthcare industry. And that’s where I found my passion to provide a supportive foundation. I loved assisting the elderly with their questions about their medication‘s, whatever their payments would be to have services rendered at the doctors office and emergencies rooms.
And once I saw how the elderly would be taken advantage of I decided I wanted to become a licensed insurance agent and be someone with integrity and that puts people before commissions. I didn’t accomplish that goal until 2018, but I have always enjoyed helping others. I am also a Life, Accident and Health Insurance Agent (CA OM32371)
The road to having different jobs has always been challenging because I always felt like I was just a number and not an asset.
Once you realize you are a huge asset, your mind starts thinking of ways that you can get out of working for corporate America.
I always said when I start my own business I wanted my employees to feel like family and know that their dreams and goals were just as important to me as they are to them.
I never want anyone to feel like they are doing jobs in positions that they don’t have a passion in. Anyone that works at the Soul Swapmeet is in a position that they feel they are good at.
I believe hands on training and life experiences led me to to be the business woman I am today.