Shannon Barnes has been an entrepreneur since 2007. Her aim is to assist, motivate and inspire Entrepreneurs with special emphasis on women-owned businesses. She believes in total “Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship”.
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Interview Q & A
1. What is your business/Business Name? What does your business do?
Shannon Barnes
Granting Favor Consultants is a business consulting agency whereby we assist business owners and entrepreneurs with business ownership. We try to instill within them the motivation it takes to successfully walk in this entrepreneurial arena. We offer regular business services and consultations, but we also offer workshops, training sessions, seminars and conferences. We do all this to ensure that entrepreneurs have the knowledge to either commence or continue on a journey that is sometimes filled with pitfalls and disappointments, but also filled with great joy and satisfaction!!!
“Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship” is our mantra.
We also have our very own blog talk radio show entitled, “Granting Favor Talk Radio,” which is a FREE service offered to business owners, to assist with promoting their businesses as well as any upcoming events. We have been getting tremendous responses from this segment of our services.
Some of our services include: consultation, business formation, business plan preparation, branding/networking, social media assistance, 501(c)3 attainment for nonprofits, fundraising strategies, grant writing, training sessions, conferences/seminars/workshops.
We also assist businesses, especially women-owned businesses, with obtaining the necessary certifications to become eligible to bid on government contracting opportunities.
2. Why did you get into this field? What opportunities did you see?
When I started my companies, I really didn’t see any HELP out there. Sure, there are resources available online, but unfortunately, nothing that gave me personalized attention for what I was going through at the time while trying to get my businesses started. Because of this, I wanted to make sure that others were given the opportunity to not only ascertain knowledge to create a business, but also, I wanted to make sure they were aware that someone truly cared about them being SUCCESSFUL in their journey.
3. What have been your biggest challenges?
Some of my biggest challenges have been getting over the fact that not everyone is as passionate about business as I am. I want everyone to “catch hold of the fire” that has been burning in me for years. Unfortunately, others don’t have that same fire, which is okay. I had to learn this fact – it’s okay!!!
4. What has been your greatest reward?
My greatest reward has been the fact that so many businesses have been created under my tutelage. I thank God for being able to reach so many people and to be able to assist them. The word-of-mouth referrals have been staggering. God has been so faithful to me and it’s my job to be just as committed, not only to my business, but to the customers I support.
5. If you could change something, what would it be?
I really believe that if I could TRULY change ANYTHING it would be starting this journey SOONER. I began my entrepreneur walk later on in life. I try to encourage our youth to not only obtain a college education, but to also think strongly about business ownership. It has been extremely rewarding to my life.
6. If you could give a new entrepreneur advice, what would it be?
My advice to any new entrepreneur would be to make sure that you are extremely passionate about this journey. If you are in this to SOLELY make money, it won’t work. Yes, money is just ONE aspect of this journey. Without passion, your ventures will not succeed. Without passion, you will not endure the trials, struggles and disappointments that ALL entrepreneurs face.
7. Social Media. Yay or Nay?
Yay. Absolutely, all the way. Social media has been my best friend. I strongly encourage business owners to use these venues. I don’t encourage the use of social media as the ONLY vehicle for advertising, nor do I encourage hours upon hours of social media engagements. However, it should be used everyday.
8. How do you market your products?
Services are marketed through social media outlets, our website, our blog talk radio show, email blasts, word-of-mouth, flyers, brochures, and through local and national business organizations/affiliates.
9. Is your business a service or a product? If you are a product, how do you handle production?
We are service oriented.
10. What is unique about your business?
My business is unique in that our services are tailored to the specific needs of the customer. Therefore, the same service may change in some way to suit the need of the client. We provide hands-on personalized attention to each client in an effort to gain trust. This hand-holding continues even after the service has ended. This is how serious we are about wanting your business to succeed. Also, we do understand that everyone’s budget is different. Not only are the prices of our services extremely reasonable (as many clients have said) but EVERY SERVICE offered comes with a PAYMENT PLAN. This way, you pay as you go and still accomplish the task at hand. We never want to turn anyone away for not having the money to see their vision become a reality.
11. Sell me your product/service.
If you want to either start, grow or expand your business, then Granting Favor Consultants is the exact place you need to be. For over 8 years, Granting Favor Consultants has been assisting business owners and entrepreneurs in seeing their vision become reality. Our various services will ensure that you are given the knowledge needed to make informed decisions as it relates to your business. Our business model is structured so that you, our customers, receive services that are geared to your specific need at the time. Our number one priority is to see you, our customer, not only satisfied with the level of service received, but also prepared to conquer the world of entrepreneurship.
12. How can people get in touch with you? What’s your website/Contact information?
Shannon Barnes, Owner/Business Consultant
- Phone: 225-228-1240 Fax: 225-349-8243
- Website: www.BarnesGroupEnt.com
- Email: grantingfavor@barnesgroupent.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/grantingfavor & www.facebook.com/grantingfavortalkradio
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/grantingfavor
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/grantingfavor
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