I am so excited to introduce you to Kim Shannon from The SHINE Factor!
Kim was one of the first people I met at a conference in June. We are both taking part in a year-long program to help us reach more people with our inspirational messages. I immediately connected with her kind soul and generous spirit, and I know you will love her just as much as I do. I also met her Mom, Mimi, who is equally just as wonderful!
They co-created The SHINE Factor, which encourages women to break through their limiting beliefs and awaken to their truest selves. They offer intuitive sessions, coaching, SHINE Sisters’ Circles, keynote speaking, and SHINE Cards.
You are truly in for a treat with this interview! Kim is such an upbeat and authentic person, and her kindness really shines through. I can’t wait for you to learn more about her and also about The SHINE Factor. Have fun reading – let’s all SHINE together!
How was The SHINE Factor born?
My mom, Mimi, came up with the original idea about three years ago. It came to her in a dream via her paternal grandmother, Sophia, who told her to SHINE, SHINE, SHINE. In that epiphanal moment Mom understood two things, (1) what her lifelong quest to find her voice meant for her personally, and (2) how it was meant to help all women. Mom has always had a passion for helping people (especially women) embrace their gifts, their voice, and their true nature to make a difference. She instilled that desire to make a difference and be a positive influence in me. When I moved back to Colorado about six months after Shine was born she asked me to join forces and partner with her. That’s when The Shine Factor really took off.
What is The SHINE Factor?
The SHINE Factor is like the X Factor—it is the missing link for women. What we do is help women shatter their inner glass ceilings helping them to ask for and get what they REALLY want without guilt, shame or regret. When a women shatters her internal glass ceiling she is able to SHINE her essence in all areas of her life, and at that point her SHINE is always a FACTOR in how she operates, and in how she asks for and gets what she really wants out of life.
What’s it like working together?
I love it. We really compliment one another. Where I leave off she picks up and vice versa. It’s always been easy being her daughter and that connection has translated well in business.
Do you have a favorite SHINE card?
Hmmm… I have to say I love all of them. Each one is a part of me, and a part of you. There are 123 SHINE Cards and each is an aspect of what makes a woman a woman.
If pressed though I’d have to say I am partial to three in particular:
1. Effervescent – when I pulled it last year it felt like a veil was pushed aside and I saw myself – my essence – in a new and fresh way. I had a new word to describe who I see my soul-my spirit to be.
2. B.I.T.C.H – notice the periods? To me BITCH stands for Broad In Total Control of Herself! I heard that acronym a long, long time ago and it has always stuck with me. We as women need to own our BITCH because to be a BITCH means you are strong, straightforward, and powerful. It’s a positive not a negative.
3. Openhearted – I think that as women one of our key strengths is the ability to lead with our hearts and be vulnerable. Being openhearted is about being love which women are really good at.
You both took the leap toward living your dream. Do you have any advice for someone who has a dream and isn’t quite sure how to go for it?
One foot in front of the other with a lot of support along the way. I wouldn’t be where I am without my mom, without my family and friends, and without the SHINE Sisters community. These women see me for who I am and hold me and my vision for myself sacred and provide support as I walk my path. Mom and I created a monthly women’s group called the SHINE Sisters’ Circle to provide a safe place for women to SHINE and create community. Women can set up SHINE Sisters’ Circles in their home towns – we can teach them how.
I’m learning that staying balanced can be tricky. How do you take time to nurture yourself while running a successful business and also being a mom?
Sometimes it’s not so easy. My son Jack takes a lot of my time and energy (he’s four-and-a-half). So does SHINE. That said, the way I stay grounded is to take “me” time where I meditate, go for hikes with my dog, take time to veg out with a juicy magazine, connect with old far-away friends, write and when i am feeling particularly depleted I get a massage and/or a mani/pedi. I strive for balance and incorporating my needs into my schedule is the only way to do it. I can’t continue to give, give, give while I am on empty. This is something i believe each and every woman needs to learn because we are always putting ourselves last.
Do you have a mantra that you live by?
Wow. I am a glass is half-full girl. I see the positive, the good, the joy, the love of life. I think forgiveness is a good thing. And I think that being all of who you are-shining your light bright is the greatest gift you can give yourself, your kids, and the world.
Your cards and book are very inspiring and a wonderful tool for self exploration and growth. What is one other book/website/product that has helped you along the way?
I love numerology and the symbology of animals/animal totems and have since I was a young girl. I have studied with Sue Frederick, a Career Intuitive and continue to study Shamanism with Sandra Ingerman. In fact, I incorporate both into the intuitive sessions my mom and I do in tandem with clients. My mom helps a woman identify who she was born to be–all the tools and gifts she brought in with her to do her life’s work and to make a difference, and I help her incorporate these gifts into her daily life and help her take action on her dreams and passion. They are very powerful sessions and can help jump-start a woman on her SHINE Factor path.
What are you and your mom Mimi working on right now?
Besides doing intuitive sessions and holding SHINE Sisters’ Circles we are both full with other pursuits that fill and fuel us.
Mom is leading a Mastermind Group for women who want to make a big change in their lives NOW and desire a coach/mentor as well as the dynamic of personalized group support/co-creation to help launch themselves. If anyone is interested, they should let her know. She is one amazing woman whose greatest gift and passion is helping others soar.
I have been working on a new book currently titled, The Expressed Feminine: Stop Hiding and Start Shining. I am super excited about it. I have also been working with a speaking coach to achieve my dream of becoming a Professional Speaker. I have had visions of standing on stage addressing thousands since I was a little girl and it was finally time to make good on that dream shattering my inner glass ceiling of limiting beliefs as to what I perceive I can or cannot do, or have, or be, or become. My favorite subject to share with women is about shattering their own internal glass ceilings.
3 questions from our Soulful Journals:
If you had a chance to speak knowing the entire world was listening, what would you say?
Women are priceless. We don’t always know it, and sometime we forget but we are…priceless. We came into this world as women for a reason. Each of us is here to make a difference and each of us is a bright shining star.
What makes your soul sing?
Being a mom. Being a writer. Being a SHINE Sister. Being me. I never wanted to be anyone else and so many people tell you who you should be and how you should act and what you should become. I am so happy I always followed the song in my soul and ended up here.
What or who inspires you? In what ways?
The innate powers that women possess inspire me. I didn’t grow up knowing that vulnerably was a strength. Nor did I know compassion and creativity and collaboration were strengths. I suppose I did at home but not out in the world – not at school and certainly not as a career woman. But I have come to believe that compassion, creativity and collaboration and yes – even vulnerability are the gifts we came to give. In 2009, His Holiness the Dalai Lama made a stunning proclamation at the Peace Summit in Vancouver: “The world will be saved by the western woman.” It was a call. I heard it. Many women heard it. My hope and belief is that as more and more women find and embrace their SHINE we will take our rightful place standing side by side with our men to shepherd the world back into balance. Our gifts are the key to success.
Thank you so much, Kim, for sharing so much of yourself with us and for letting us all know more about The SHINE Factor!
Free Gift!
Kim and Mimi are graciously offering a free gift for anyone who buys their SHINE Cards by August 13th! They will also include their amazing ebook entitled, The Tao of SHINE: A Woman’s Top 10 Gifts to Herself! So be sure to head over to their site this week to receive this kind offer from them!
I have the SHINE Cards and can personally say that they are wonderfully amazing tools that help guide us back to ourselves.
What a GREAT interview! I have the SHINE cards too and they are great! Kim Shannon and Mimi are the real deal~genuine, compassionate, intelligent women who have much to offer!
Thanks, Leslie! They truly are both the real deal – such lovely women! 🙂
Great interview (and I like your new header)! I especially liked the B.I.T.C.H. acronym. I am the only woman in my job classification at work (there are 7 men). It amazes me that an assertive woman is considered a bitch, but an assertive man is considered a leader.
LeAnn
Thanks, LeAnn!
Kim is such a great person – I’m so glad you liked her interview!
I think it’s very empowering to embrace our power as women and see it as a gift and a good thing. 🙂
“…assertive woman is considered a bitch, but an assertive man is considered a leader”
Being assertive while being selfless is positive but a woman that feels that she NEEDS to be equal with a man is transparently abhorrent.
I, being a man, enjoy the differences between the sexes and know the balance that each present. I detest when a woman feels justified to feminize men just as much as a man doing the same thing to another man. A “bitch” makes for a potentially hostile workforce as much as a man who has a type A personality. Both need to understand the balance that each brings while appreciating each others strengths and weaknesses. I frankly hate the term “bitch”. Kim may like the term and found a way to camouflage the word but it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth no matter how you spritz it up.
When I went to Oregon Institute of Technology I had taken a keyboarding class in pursue of my Nursing degree. I was the only guy in a class of 43 women. The instructor was a female and had such great wisdom. She knew that it would best suit me to sit in front of the class rather than the back where I would be totally distracted by the beautiful heads of all those girls. I came to appreciate the girls in the class, though at times I felt a bit intimidated, because I was terrible at keyboarding and fell short in that skill as I was slower than even the slowest girl in class. However, the point I wanted to make was I was transparent in my vulnerabilities and the girls helped me to accept those areas of weakness. They also helped me to better myself in those areas too. As time went on I was so encouraged by them that I finally was able to touch-type up to 63 wpm. Lastly, the one thing I wanted to mention as a footnote, is that at times, the girls would come up to me and ask me if I wanted to get together with them and get into touch with my “estrogen side” for a good conversation. I laughed but would always accept.
Here is what I learned: I learned that women and men want the same thing and that is to be productive at their work while earning an income for their families. No one likes a bitch or a bastard for a co-worker or boss. It steals and robs us from the enjoyment that our skills bring while at the workforce. Whether our minds are on our patients or clients the last thing we need is a crummy co-worker or boss to deal with. It brings stress and disharmony to our spirit and souls. It causes division and disunity amongst each other and causes people to pick sides. A bitch or a bastard co-worker or boss has one thing in mind – Power.
To me the silent oak within the department that works solidly and confidently without the spotlight or need to be praised is more of a leader than any “bitch” could be. People that absolutely look out for their patients well-being or the client’s interest without the haughtiness or arrogance (that most type A people assert) is by far more desirable to work with. I love the assured, confident and quiet person rather than a bitchy man or woman any day.
So the acronym B.I.T.C.H., while it may be fruitful to Kim, I personally do not find it helpful or one that is desirable.
I am now a business owner and a manufacturer. I would hire a woman over a man if she did the same quality work while being careful to bring up others through skills and encouragement rather than to outshine everyone in her pursuit of power and or position. What is frankly a weak area for women in my eyes is the seemingly need to gossip and back-stab other women. If a woman has the best skills but is known for gossiping I would not hire her. Holding each other in honor and respect and learning to balance each others strengths and weakness is key in hiring and maintaining morale within my business and cuts down on turnover. I think it is great to have an equal workforce of men and women but don’t send me confident women who are assertive in the selfishness while leaving her coworkers behind. Build up and encourage one another and work together as a team and then you will capture my attention. But “Bitches” need not apply.
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment.
I can see how this word and acronym can bring up a lot of negative associations, and I don’t want to speak for Kim here, so I’ll speak for myself.
In knowing Kim, I feel comfortable speaking for her in that she is coming from a place of empowering women to be their best selves – not creating super egos that are terrorizing the world.
I have worked for dominant, bossy, powerful men and women, and I know how hard and counterproductive and absolutely frustrating that can be.
I love your comment about looking for employees who will build up and encourage one another and work as a team. That’s the type of environment that we all strive for and can all agree would be ideal.
My take on her embracing this word is that she is trying to change the negative and heated tone that this term has and turn it into a positive, empowering term.
What I took away from Kim’s interview was how positive and passionate she is about helping others live their ideal lives. And that is the energy that I focus on and surround myself with.
And while I love and actually encourage dialog here, let’s all make sure that we continue to come from a place of love and shared community.
We are all here to support each other and see life through a lens of gratitude and positivity.
We each are unique and have different experiences that make us who we are right now in this moment.
Let’s honor that in each other and trust that we are all coming from a place of love and a need to honor ourselves and each other.
Many blessings to you.
Dear Spyder Jack,
Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I appreciate your words and view.
Over the years, the word BITCH has taken on very negative connotations and meaning. A woman is called a bitch when she is being strong, overt, opinionated, and for standing up and speaking her mind. The word BITCH has become a catch-all derogatory term for women.
In theory, being strong, overt, opinionated, and standing up for oneself are great traits to have and express. When a person crosses the line, whether woman or man, and act mean, disruptive, belittling, or intolerant to those they interact with, that person is not okay. How they choose to express themselves isn’t bitchy, it is disrespectful and inappropriate and flat out unacceptable.
My love of the word BITCH is not to celebrate the “dark” side it has come to be known for but to help women reinterpret the word for themselves so that they can find power in it, instead of be degraded by it.
I’ve heard several acronyms for BITCH.
B – Beautiful
I – Intelligent
T – Talented
C – Charming
H – Hell of a woman
B – Beautiful
I – Individual
T – That
C – Can
H – Handle anything
And my favorite:
B – Broad
I – In
T – Total
C – Control
H – of Herself
Why is it my favorite?
In a past relationship (prior to hearing these acronyms for the first time) when my ex called me a BITCH – his words and his label of me took me down. My confidence was shredded and the “good girl” in me wailed against the term BITCH pushing the label aside, seeing it as bad, seeing myself as bad. That is a bad way to feel. I didn’t feel in control of myself or anything else. I let his words and interpretation of me define me. I don’t think that is uncommon. My process has been to embrace all of who I am and I don’t want to push any part or piece of me away. I want to own all of me. I want the same for all women, and for all men for that matter.
When I heard the acronym for BITCH I was able to reframe it from derogatory to empowering.
Every person has a responsibility as far as I am concerned to be authentic, and true to themselves as well as be kind and engaging towards their fellow human beings—in the workplace, at home, on the street, wherever.
The SHINE Factor’s work is about helping women to own all of themselves, the Expressed Feminine, all their parts and pieces. Because women have been called BITCH, and because many of us view it as a negative, a part of ourselves we can’t or won’t own, I think it is great to redefine the term as something positive that we can live into and create from.
Something I have been learning that is worthy of sharing: When talking to another soul minister to their heart and spirit at the same time. Too often we only communicate on the soulish realm and do not nurture the spiritual part of another’s life. There is no meaning or genuine care for our brothers and sisters. But by talking to the listener that ministers to their heart and spirit (mind) at the same time you cross over the time, space, continuum barrier through love. It is a multi-dimensional process that is felt, reflected and encouraged. I have been listening clearer and speaking with a new passion.