Shannon's entrepreneurial spirit was ignited by her lifelong pursuit of finding joy in life's challenges. Born with multiple disabilities, she's always sought the positive in every situation. Her previous success as the founder of a parenting magazine company in the early 2000s showed her the ropes of entrepreneurship. However, life had more challenges in store for her. Just before the COVID-19 pandemic, Shannon had to leave nursing school due to extreme carpal tunnel syndrome, which eventually led to surgery. During this time, she took a warehouse job and suffered an on-the-job back injury. Shannon found herself at a crossroads, physically limited and unable to work a regular job.
Before Shannon joined forces with the PCC SBDC, she faced the challenge of narrowing down her business focus from a multitude of ideas. Her broad mission of "connecting others to joyful experiences" needed direction, which the PCC SBDC helped her find. The PCC SBDC taught her to embrace her authentic self and focus on her interests. As a solo-preneur, Shannon became the driving force behind her company, living and breathing her business every day.
Shannon actively participated in the 4-week Business Design Series before moving on to the Business Builders training program, which allowed her to connect with fellow entrepreneurs and receive invaluable one-on-one guidance from PCC SBDC business advisors.
Shannon's journey with Joy Crazy™, LLC is a testament to the transformation the right support and guidance can bring. She started teaching pickleball on a single outdoor court, taping her own lines on the uneven asphalt. Today, she teaches indoors on multiple wooden gym courts at Friendly House and PCC's Sylvania campus. Her Meetup group boasts nearly 900 members, with over 200 students giving her 5-star reviews. Shannon's connection with PCC helped her become an established presence in Portland's pickleball community.
Shannon's business growth has been steady and organic, with an expanding community of dedicated students. The most rewarding part of her journey is watching multiple generations of a family take her classes, fostering connections and spreading joy across the community. Her PCC classes are in high demand, often selling out within minutes, and her plans for intermediate/advanced level classes are a testament to her enduring success. Shannon says that the PCC SBDC's comprehensive classes and "top-notch" advising provide entrepreneurs with the tools and guidance they need to navigate the challenging journey of entrepreneurship. Shannon's story demonstrates that with resilience, authenticity, and the right support, you can pave your own path to success and spark joy in the lives of others.
Are you ready to embark on your entrepreneurial journey, or are you seeking support to take your small business to new heights? The PCC SBDC is here to help. Reach out to us, and let your journey begin. Shannon's story is just one example of the countless success stories our clients have created. Embrace the joy of entrepreneurship and create your unique path to success!