As we continue to celebrate National Women's Small Business Month, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on the remarkable women leading the way in their industries. These women embody the spirit of entrepreneurship, showing resilience, passion, and dedication to their communities. Their stories are an inspiration to the next generation of leaders.
Today, we are excited to highlight Shannon Cazel, owner of Prime IV Hydration & Wellness. Shannon’s journey from seeking personal growth to becoming a successful business owner exemplifies what it means to step out of your comfort zone and follow your passion. Join us as we explore Shannon’s path, the challenges she’s overcome, and her advice for other women pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams.
Today, we are excited to highlight Shannon Cazel, owner of Prime IV Hydration & Wellness. Shannon’s journey from seeking personal growth to becoming a successful business owner exemplifies what it means to step out of your comfort zone and follow your passion. Join us as we explore Shannon’s path, the challenges she’s overcome, and her advice for other women pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams.
Tell us about your career path that you led you to where you are today?
I came to the point where I was feeling burnt out in my current role and personal life and was yearning for a change & something more challenging and fulfilling and seeking new opportunities for growth. Out of nowhere a career coach reached out to me in March 2023 via Linked In asking if I wanted to change my life. He got me on one of those days that just wasn’t going my way and I immediately responded YES! Yes I want to change my life! After months of consulting with him, (more or less being my therapist LOL) starting my own business was the right choice for me. He gave me a few franchise options to start, that I could research and interview to see if I would be a good fit for them and their business model would be a good fit for me. Prime IV Hydration & Wellness was one of them. Ultimately buying into this franchise, aligned with my personal goals and beliefs on a level that had me completely invested emotionally & financially.
What were some of the barriers or obstacles you’ve faced & how did you overcome them?
The main obstacle was fear and having the guts to do it. When you have family and friends telling you you’re crazy for leaving a job with a decent salary, it makes it hard to pull the trigger. I had already decided going to work for another company just wasn’t the right decision at that time, so I was moving forward with or without the support of family & friends. Once I signed the contract, they supported me! One of the other obstacles I had to overcome was the financial part of it. Deciding whether or not to find a partner to go into business with or not. Ultimately, I was the one who wanted this and I wanted to prove to myself I could do it on my own. I’m fairly good with my money and made moves to be in a good financial state to be able to do it all on my own as well.
Who inspired you to become a leader and why?
My career coach, Rick Merritt. Although my personality and characteristics include leadership skills and I’ve had previous managerial and leadership positions though out my career, you get to a point in life where you’ve got to make a change. Everyone goes through this thing called life and has good times & hard times, I am no different than anybody else. I was no longer happy both professionally and personally and Rick really convinced me that I could do this and laid it all out in front of me proving that I’ve done it all before. It’s time to pull it all together and do it for yourself.
What advice do you have for women looking to grow either their own business or within the company they work for?
Go for it! You have the power to do it. You just have to have confidence in yourself and be around the right people to keep pushing you towards your goals. Your circle gets smaller the more you want to and do succeed. That’s one of those things you need to be comfortable with too. Learn to be by yourself and be ok with it. As I’m doing all the marketing and going to networking events and having one on one meetings, I’ve met a lot of great people so far. It’s also gotten me out of my comfort zone by going to Chamber meetings etc. by myself, I’m seeing a lot of familiar faces now. It’s getting easier.
How do you balance your career, personal life and passions?
It’s a struggle at times. But I am making it work. As a single mom my 2 youngest kids are teenagers and they’re always busy with friends and work these days, which made the timing of starting my business a little easier. They don’t need my attention 24/7 like they would if they were younger. My oldest daughter lives with her fiancé and works across the street from Prime IV as an esthetician. She and I will recommend clients to each other and love that we can do that for each other.
As far as passions are concerned, right now my career is my passion. Once Prime IV gets more established I hope to be able to help my oldest daughter financially with her wedding next September. And then maybe take a vacation!
What specific strategies or resources do you believe would help women develop or enhance their leadership skills?
Listen to your gut. You know it’s always right. The first time I spoke with Prime IV I could literally see myself opening and running the spa. And 11 long months later I was open for business!
Also networking! Get involved with the Chamber(s), local BNI groups etc., and get out there and meet others that are in the same boat as you and the ones who are succeeding. You will soak up so much information and knowledge from real people and their experiences. They will start to remember you and you will remember them! It’s about surrounding yourself with the right people.
What upcoming TRCC event are you most looking forward to attending?
I’m looking forward to attending my first luncheon with TRCC in November on the 20th.
I came to the point where I was feeling burnt out in my current role and personal life and was yearning for a change & something more challenging and fulfilling and seeking new opportunities for growth. Out of nowhere a career coach reached out to me in March 2023 via Linked In asking if I wanted to change my life. He got me on one of those days that just wasn’t going my way and I immediately responded YES! Yes I want to change my life! After months of consulting with him, (more or less being my therapist LOL) starting my own business was the right choice for me. He gave me a few franchise options to start, that I could research and interview to see if I would be a good fit for them and their business model would be a good fit for me. Prime IV Hydration & Wellness was one of them. Ultimately buying into this franchise, aligned with my personal goals and beliefs on a level that had me completely invested emotionally & financially.
What were some of the barriers or obstacles you’ve faced & how did you overcome them?
The main obstacle was fear and having the guts to do it. When you have family and friends telling you you’re crazy for leaving a job with a decent salary, it makes it hard to pull the trigger. I had already decided going to work for another company just wasn’t the right decision at that time, so I was moving forward with or without the support of family & friends. Once I signed the contract, they supported me! One of the other obstacles I had to overcome was the financial part of it. Deciding whether or not to find a partner to go into business with or not. Ultimately, I was the one who wanted this and I wanted to prove to myself I could do it on my own. I’m fairly good with my money and made moves to be in a good financial state to be able to do it all on my own as well.
Who inspired you to become a leader and why?
My career coach, Rick Merritt. Although my personality and characteristics include leadership skills and I’ve had previous managerial and leadership positions though out my career, you get to a point in life where you’ve got to make a change. Everyone goes through this thing called life and has good times & hard times, I am no different than anybody else. I was no longer happy both professionally and personally and Rick really convinced me that I could do this and laid it all out in front of me proving that I’ve done it all before. It’s time to pull it all together and do it for yourself.
What advice do you have for women looking to grow either their own business or within the company they work for?
Go for it! You have the power to do it. You just have to have confidence in yourself and be around the right people to keep pushing you towards your goals. Your circle gets smaller the more you want to and do succeed. That’s one of those things you need to be comfortable with too. Learn to be by yourself and be ok with it. As I’m doing all the marketing and going to networking events and having one on one meetings, I’ve met a lot of great people so far. It’s also gotten me out of my comfort zone by going to Chamber meetings etc. by myself, I’m seeing a lot of familiar faces now. It’s getting easier.
How do you balance your career, personal life and passions?
It’s a struggle at times. But I am making it work. As a single mom my 2 youngest kids are teenagers and they’re always busy with friends and work these days, which made the timing of starting my business a little easier. They don’t need my attention 24/7 like they would if they were younger. My oldest daughter lives with her fiancé and works across the street from Prime IV as an esthetician. She and I will recommend clients to each other and love that we can do that for each other.
As far as passions are concerned, right now my career is my passion. Once Prime IV gets more established I hope to be able to help my oldest daughter financially with her wedding next September. And then maybe take a vacation!
What specific strategies or resources do you believe would help women develop or enhance their leadership skills?
Listen to your gut. You know it’s always right. The first time I spoke with Prime IV I could literally see myself opening and running the spa. And 11 long months later I was open for business!
Also networking! Get involved with the Chamber(s), local BNI groups etc., and get out there and meet others that are in the same boat as you and the ones who are succeeding. You will soak up so much information and knowledge from real people and their experiences. They will start to remember you and you will remember them! It’s about surrounding yourself with the right people.
What upcoming TRCC event are you most looking forward to attending?
I’m looking forward to attending my first luncheon with TRCC in November on the 20th.
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