We had the good fortune of connecting with Felicia Shantell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Felicia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was I was tired of giving all of my talent to accompany that didn’t deserve it, that didn’t understand my creative sense, and how I should be doing this for myself.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been performing poetry for 13 years now I’ve also been in love with poetry for 13 years. Poetry is known to me as a therapy, it allows me to have a channel of emotions it allows me to balance how I feel about life. When people ask meme what does poetry mean to me I tell them that poetry saved my life. With having such a troubling childhood I rely on poetry for coping, it is an escape for me. The most challenging part about what I love to do is that writing it is nothing my performing it seems to become a challenge each and every day because I’m not just doing this for myself anymore I’m doing this for other people because I’m not the only one who goes through what I go through on an everyday basis and that there are people out there that don’t know how to channel their emotions but I have learned how to. Because I’m in an industry where there’s so much competition I have to stay up on not just what I’m writing but on trends as well and what people listen to but the story behind what I do has never changed so even though the way I performed they change the story line stays the same.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well I will take them to see a Wego Live event on a Friday or to enjoy some wonderful food I will take them to JW’s Place in spring Texas.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I.A.G. Productions, poACTry, Poetry & Politics, and Justin Brown

Instagram: @iag_productions

Facebook: Felicia Shantell

Youtube: IAG Productions

Image Credits
Photos by Carl Hunter

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.