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MARCH 2004

Women Shaping History 2004:
Sheila Johnson, Co-Founder, Black Entertainment Television

Factors in Career Choice: I am now in my third career. What I'm doing now combines my talents in music and drama, my love of food and wine with my business acumen. I am now in the fun part of my life when everything I've learned over the years is coming together. I have created a market and I'm in the midst of building an inn and spa in the middle of beautiful Virginia horse country.

Throughout all three of my careers, my education has been enormously important.

Pivotal Points:  When I left Black Entertainment Television I felt an inner need to do something more representative of who I am. The direction I took was through a desire to reconnect and refocus my creative talents and energy. Through the company I'm developing, I'm able to pull together different elements from my past careers and use them to further my current goals. My current direction also involves a large philanthropic element, which allows me to help children through education and arts programs and to give back.

Achievements: My children are my greatest achievement. I hope that I can continue to play a pivotal role in their lives by setting an example to them on the importance of character building, ethics and giving back to the community.

Obstacles: I am still steering around many obstacles–that is what life is about. I've learned that there will always be bumps in the road. You just can't keep looking in the rear view mirror. You have to remain resilient and flexible and you have to be steadfast in not letting any obstacle be a deterrent in trying to reach your goals.

Mentors: My mother and my dear friend and teacher Susan Starrett. They are mentors to me to this day. My mother taught me not to accept mediocrity, be the best and never give up. Susan was my orchestra director and I learned so much from her. She really set a standard for me on how to grow gracefully and deal with people. She taught me to accept people for who they are. Susan has an inner strength and moral stability that I really admire. I try very hard to emulate her and set my own standards by hers. She is one person in my life that I know I can trust with any information.

Other people around me continue to be mentors including my staff. I learn from them daily and they teach me how to become a better manager and have fun in life. Without them, I know I couldnÕt be where I am now.

Advice: Growing up, women really need to find out who they are and what they're about. They need to learn not to let anyone else make those decisions for them. Young women often find themselves defined by the male in their lives. They need to find their own strengths and understand their weaknesses and build a solid character base that is moral and ethical. Too often women look outside for definition and they sell themselves short. In my life, I made the mistake of listening to other people. Young women also need to learn that, while we all make mistakes, they have to learn from them and do things differently. Not repeat the same bad patterns over. Women are often their own worst enemy. Young women need to be stronger; they need to take back their power.

Goals: I am building an inn and spa just outside of Middleburg, Virginia. This will join my other projects and companies including Market Salamander, a working chefs' market in Middleburg; Mistral, a bath and body products company that is sold nationwide; and my linen line. My goal is to create a lifestyle company that will change the direction of affordable living.#

 

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