HerStory
Sherronda Scoggins
Life After Losing A Child
Empowering Boss Life
SHARE YOUR STORY
Sherronda Scoggins: I am a 45-year-old wife of one and a mother of seven who ranges from 5-22. I always assume this business found me. In the past, I begin decorating my church for free. There was a woman who would reply, “When my kids get married, I will call you”; I was thinking, sure you will. When her daughter was finishing Medical school, she called and asked me to perform her wedding. There were two weddings in one weekend. The first wedding was a traditional Nigerian ceremony, and the second wedding was an American ceremony. Two weeks after I agreed, I found out I was pregnant after six years of trying. I met with the mom and vendors on days I had scheduled my doctor appointments. I did a ton of research because I wanted to give my all. A few weeks before her wedding, I gave birth to my daughter. She passed away after seven hours. I pulled myself together and made her wedding. I didn’t think twice about starting a business.
After burying my daughter, the last thing I wanted to do is be engaged with people or start a new business. However, I do believe God is the ultimate comforter and healer. God heal wounds and broken hearts. I could not have pulled myself together without His strength perfected in me. I am uniquely and wonderfully made. He has built me strong, courageous, determined, motivated, selfless, caring, and loyal. He comforted me. I found myself comforting others.
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WHAT WAS YOUR LIFE LIKE BEFORE THE INCIDENT?
Sherronda Scoggins: Before this, I was a married stay at home mom of one child. I was homeschooling and serving in my local church and leading mission trips to Brazil.
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HOW HAS THIS CHANGED YOUR LIFE?
Sherronda Scoggins: After losing my daughter, life events changed. We decided we wanted to adopt. We adopted not one but five children. Two of them are my cousin's sons, and the other three are though CPS. Two of the kids through CPS are siblings. I went from being a mother of one to a mother of seven. Oh, I forgot to mention I got pregnant while going through our last adoption.
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WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES?
Sherronda Scoggins: My greatest strength is that I am self-motivated and take charge to get the job done. The only word I know sometimes goes, which could also be a weakness. My greatest weakness is also my strength that I am always wanting to help people and sometimes put myself on the back burner.
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WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU FACED?
Sherronda Scoggins: The biggest challenge I face as an owner is finding people who value and take care of my business as I do. When you find that person who works hard and has an interest in your company, take care of them. I take care of everyone who works for me, but all have not vested.
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IF YOU WERE TO START ANOTHER BUSINESS, WHAT MIGHT IT BE?
Sherronda Scoggins: Right now, I just started working on a podcast for business owners, which will launch soon. We will also be launching an instructional learning and mentoring program for florists and aspiring florists.
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GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF WHEN YOU FAILED AT SOMETHING. HOW DID YOU REACT AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME FAILURE?
Sherronda Scoggins: The way I look at failure is different than most people. Failure is only failure if you give up or quit. If you give it your all and it does not work out, then I do not see it as a failure. I see it as a learning experience that allows me to grow. So. I have plenty of those teachable moments. At the beginning of my company, I contracted myself to another company where I was helping them grow. I became burned out. A situation happened where I realized I was not valued and felt betrayed. How I would react is to bring it to the person's attention, and let them know I would stay by my word to complete the project. During that time, I had to move on. The teachable moment was my business has to come first. I can still help people but never at the expense of my health or my business. It was a minor set back, but everything I learned there was beneficial to me. I learned what to do and what not to do in business.
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WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU IN YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
Sherronda Scoggins: I don’t have one particular person. I look at the women in my life, my mom, aunts, sisters, friends, colleagues, and even people I might have one conversation with for inspiration. I always say people will teach you something even if you are paying attention. My walk with Christ is my biggest inspiration to be a better version of me, and it allows me to teach others how I live my life.
Empowering Boss Life
WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE YOURSELF?
Sherronda Scoggins: Remember, it is okay to say no. Never grow so big that you are not personable to your clients. Maybe, so big, you forget to bring others up with you!
Empowering Boss Life
WE GOT TO KNOW YOU AS A PERSON. NOW, TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS.
Sherronda Scoggins: I operate KC Events and Florals, a luxury floral, event design, and rental company. Also, The Posh Petal, a daily flower shop, and flower delivery company. We do weekly florals in hotels, restaurants, offices, and homes. We have been the in house florist at The Hilton Americas Houston for the last three years.
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AS A BUSINESS OWNER, WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE PRIORITIES?
Sherronda Scoggins:
Family
Integrity
Customer Service
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WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR A BEGINNING BUSINESS OWNER?
Sherronda Scoggins: Do what you love to do and go hard at it. Always take time for yourself and your family. Even doing what you love can take a toll on your mental, physical, and spiritual well being. Taking time for yourself will help you refresh, reset, and get back out there to give the best part of you without hurting you.