Meet Sharon Martin Blacknall | Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sharon Martin Blacknall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sharon Martin, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
One of the mottos I live by is from Nelson Mandela, “I never lose. I either win or learn.” I have had some very interesting positions in my life and excelled in all of them, but I always knew there was something else pulling me to do more. It wasn’t until I decided to go out on my own and started my first company, that I knew I was on the right path. I wouldn’t trade one minute of my previous careers because they helped to develop my business acumen.

Running your own business is not for the faint at heart. Initially, there will be sacrifices, countless extra hours, and maybe even some sleepless nights, but when you see it all come together, there isn’t a more satisfying feeling in the world.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a proud USAF Veteran who founded Military Veterans Against Child Abuse, a nonprofit that specializes in teaching children 3-6 years old personal safety using numbers and the alphabet. The safety program is based on two books I’ve written and was awarded Best of 2014 by the Family Review Center and was purchased by the city’s Head Start division to teach over 3,000 students about staying safe. I’ve also written a book, Child Safety Tips for Parents and Grandparents, to teach them how to keep young children safe. All of the books are available on Amazon. We also have a personal safety program for 7-10 year olds teaching them how to deal with strangers safely.

I am also one of the majority owners of a semipro ABA basketball team, the Alamo City All-Stars. Since our inception in October 2017, we’ve won the 2019 San Antonio NBA Pro-AM, and are consistently ranking in the ABA Top 25 each year out of over 100 teams and top in our Division. I’m proud of what these young men have done on the court but more proud of what we help them do off the court to prepare for their futures after their playing days are done.

When I went into the Air Force, I ended up being one of the first Black women in a particular electronics career field. It was not an easy road. The technical school was 10 months long and I was the only female in the class of 47. I was told I was never going to graduate and I should quit constantly. In the end, I was one of 7 students left standing and had gained the respect of not only the instructors who were doubtful I could do it because no other female had finished, but my classmates as well.

Upon leaving the Air Force, I ended up being the first black female Field Engineer in a Los Angeles company that had been in business for over 25 years. I transferred to Las Vegas and it was through my customer relationships that I ended up working for MGM Mirage Resorts in management and helped to open 3 multi-billion dollar casinos (Treasure Island, Bellagio, and the Beau Rivage).

After leaving the casino world, I went into Real Estate Appraising and ended up being one of the first Black females to own a Residential Appraisal firm in Las Vegas. I ended up being one of the top 3 Appraisers in Las Vegas for a national home builder.

I’ve had a lot of firsts and went through a LOT of pushback and negativity to get to where I am today, but the thing that kept me going through all of it was something my father said to me, “If you don’t do it, then who will? It only takes one.” That carried me through many dark moments and made me want to do better and be the best at anything I tried. And when I was at a low point after my father passed, my mother reminded me that the most successful people in the world are successful not because they never stumbled or failed, but because they ALWAYS get back up after any setbacks.

I would advise anyone thinking of starting a business to develop a thick skin and a strong sense of self. If you believe in yourself and your abilities, there’s no one and nothing that will stand in your way.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting and I wanted to show them why I love San Antonio, I would have the following things on the agenda in no particular order: Can’t come to San Antonio and not see the Riverwalk and The Alamo, Go up to the top of the Hemisphere, attend a Spurs game if they’re in town, go to Sea World, Top Golf or Fiesta Texas for a little fun, shopping at La Cantera, eat at Mi Tierra for good Tex-Mex food, Rudy’s for good barbeque and Saltgrass Steak House. And a nice leisurely drive through the Hill Country to see the true beauty of South Texas.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Everything I am I owe to the way my parents brought me up. I am a Military brat who spent a lot of time overseas growing up. It was that early exposure to different cultures and people in various countries that made me comfortable dealing with different groups of people and situations.

Website: https://www.sharonblacknall.info/