Aug 2, 20215 min read

Dr. Shanna Van Ness Is On The Journey of Inspiring and Empowering Others

Known as the Committed Action Queen specializing in personal growth, relationship, career, business, and executive coaching Dr. Shanna Van Nessmaintains a private practice in Brooklyn, New York. Serving as a private practitioner working with a broad spectrum of clients. In addition to being a professional Coach, she’s also presented nationally to general audiences speaking on the topics of Leadership Success, The Art of Mastering Relationships, Organizational Strategy, and many other areas.

Additionally, Dr. Shanna is a collaborative, solution-focused, results-oriented Coach. Through this approach, she provides support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges that will resolve into extraordinary results. Integrating coaching techniques and helpful assignments to offer a highly personalized program tailored to her clients. With compassion and understanding, Dr. Shanna works with her clients to help build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they’re committed to achieving.

Your line of work empowers and inspires women, men, and entrepreneurs daily. What is it in your life and career that inspires you every day?

Dr. Shanna: I would honestly say what inspires me every day is that I wake up to live my passion and fulfill my purpose. My inspiration is drawn from the success of every man, woman, and entrepreneur that have worked with. I enjoy supporting people to clarify their vision to achieve extraordinary results and when they do I am inspired to continue this work with others.

When you aren’t in boss mode, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Dr. Shanna: When I am not in BOSS mode, I love spending time with my husband and of course my children. I was blessed with a 3-year-old son, my Bonus daughter, 13; and, my other daughters are 25 and 22. Spending time with them keeps me young. What is also special about that time is that they are so different in age I can love the time spent with them individually and when we are all together.

I also learned that even my spare time requires balance. So, from Boss, Wife, Mom to “Me-Time”. I spend me-time in the gym at least 3 days a week. I meditate; listen to audiobooks, and for those who do not know I love to crochet (something passed down to me from my grandmother).

What do you think are the best qualities you have that helps keep your company highly respected?

Dr. Shanna: I think some of my best qualities that help keep my company respected is that I live in committed action. For me that is the ability to “Say X and Do X”. So often, we are caught “Saying X and Doing Y”. We get frustrated when we do not get the desired result. Well, how can we get to the desired result if what we say does not align with our actions? This is one of my best qualities because I live exactly what I coach. This quality has kept me in alignment with myself but also when working and supporting others to achieve.

Another quality that has kept Dr. Shanna V. Coaching highly respected is that I have developed a success formula. My formula is Focus + Discipline x Perseverance = Success. I apply this formula to all my clients. I have come to realize that although this is unique to me it supports me in supporting others to get to their level of “what’s next”.

What would Dr. Shanna tell 15-year-old Shanna?

Dr. Shanna: Wow, this is a great question. One thing I would tell 15-year old

Shanna is: “Don’t be surprised that genuine supports sit in the balcony, not the front row”. This is something I learned and had to accept overtime. I had to learn and accept that as you grow some will grow with you and some will not; and, be okay with that. It does not mean they do not love or care about you. It means your steps are ordered to follow a unique path that was designed for you and as you go and grow, you will have supporters from afar.

How do you feel the pandemic has made you a better person?

Dr. Shanna: I feel the pandemic made me better in many ways. First, I was able to retool. It gave me the opportunity to focus on obtaining new skills. Second, the pandemic strengthened my resiliency. The pandemic shifted me into a new mindset on how I can do things differently. It actually prompted the necessary change. In addition, change is a good thing. Last, it allowed me to pause. In the pause, I was able to slow down, reflect on my then, now, and next. This is something I am not sure I would have been able to do without the pandemic. The pandemic was tough, but, depending on one’s perspective, it was a reset. And, I am grateful for the reset.

What are you looking forward to for the second half of 2021?

Dr. Shanna: Currently, I am working on re-launching The Living Room. Some years ago, I had a talk show called “The Living Room” that aired online and on Brooklyn Public Access Television when I lived in New York. The show promoted positive social change through engaged dialogue with leaders and influencers who developed solutions to prevalent issues that impact diverse communities. With the re-launch of the show, I am adding a new ingredient. I want to highlight the work of business leaders that provide strategic solutions that can support entrepreneurial and community growth. This time “The Living Room” will be more resource-oriented, provide strategic solutions, and support the growth and development of others. So definitely, stay tuned for that.

I am working on launching my online course “Customer Service with Care”. This is a course designed to support young entrepreneurs on how they get to provide exceptional customer service in the service industry. We get so consumed with profit-making and do not take the time to actually read the reviews, and if we do we get offended with the reviews we receive. Well, this course is for those who want to up their game on how to not only attract and keep clients but gain all of the clients and friends.

And, I am also known as the Committed Action Queen, so I am excited about my 2022 project launch of the “Committed Action Calendar” that will support anyone in setting goals, self-reflection, creating healthy habits, and ultimately living life in committed action.

What advice would you have for aspiring mompreneurs?

Dr. Shanna: To all my entrepreneurs, I want you to live life in committed action. If you “Say X, Do X”. Remember people will always have something to say… so what?? Always be true to yourself. Live your passion and fulfill your purpose.