Sharonda Brown’s story wasn’t just about changing jobs. It was about transformation, reclaiming identity, and creating impact well beyond the walls of her profession.
Like many Black women professionals, Sharonda found herself at the crossroads after years in a high-pressure healthcare career, post-pandemic. She realized she was “tapped out,” craving a greater reach and deeper purpose than the daily grind offered. The journey began with admitting she was ready for something new, and opening her mind to fresh possibilities.
Takeaway #1: Growth Starts With Openness
When Sharonda allowed herself to seek new avenues, she discovered inspiring entrepreneurs who looked like her and were thriving in their own lanes. These relationships didn’t just spark ideas; they built confidence to speak up and seek more.
Sharonda’s voice—once called “motor mouth” by teachers—became her superpower. Working with Kelly, she learned it was okay to own her uniqueness. Her moniker “Sista RN” wasn’t something to hide, but a banner to wave. If a room couldn’t accept Sista RN, it wasn’t her room and this mindset became a springboard.
Takeaway #2: Authenticity Is a Gateway, Not a Barrier
Sharonda’s story revealed that owning the fullness of her identity unlocked the right opportunities. “If you can’t accept Sister RN, then you don’t deserve my brain,” she declared. Genuine self-branding let her walk into rooms as herself, not as someone she felt pressured to be.
The pivotal shift happened through developing her signature talk with Kelly. It was more than a speech. It was a strategic, repeatable framework that allowed her to scale her impact and income. Her expertise became both her currency and her contribution, landing her stages in Dubai, Paris, and funding opportunities, all rooted in the methodology she crafted.
Takeaway #3: Your Expertise Is Exportable—With the Right Structure
Sharonda leveraged the her framework not just to speak but to build programs, secure grants, launch nonprofits, and consult. Rather than a one-time use, her framework gave her a toolkit to address pressing industry gaps, like “unauthorized arrivals” in emergency care—a concept she named, published, and has begun championing.
Throughout her journey, clarity and validation from Kelly and the expert community fueled Sharonda’s evolution. She moved from validating her value to standing in it, realizing her intellectual property was her most valuable asset.
Takeaway #4: Iterate, Don’t Pivot—and Own Your Intellectual Property
Every stage of Sharonda’s journey layered on the last. She didn’t abandon old skills, but reimagined how they served her new direction—as a legal nurse consultant, a mentor, a speaker, and now a licensed agent offering financial education. The process taught her not just to dream, but to execute.
And perhaps the biggest lesson? Proximity is power.
Sharonda literally found her next level in rooms—and in the company—of Black women experts who saw her, affirmed her, and challenged her to step up. The collective energy wasn’t just inspiring; it was transformative.
Sharonda’s Journey in a Nutshell:
Be open to new beginnings.
Bring your real self everywhere you go.
Build frameworks to scale your impact.
Iterate, don’t pivot. Your past experience is an asset.
Value the power of community and accountability.
Her story is a blueprint for any expert—particularly Black women—looking to go from employee to expertpreneur, rewrite the narrative, and profit from their unique genius.
Watch the video to hear directly from Sharonda. You will be activated.
Ready to turn your expertise into an enterprise?
👉 Register for the FREE masterclass “Stop Undervaluing, Start Profiting” (January 15th):
👉 Be IN the room for the Speaking Industry Xpo (“THE 6”)—Atlanta, March 16th-18th:
Don’t wait for someone else to open doors for you. Learn how to position, package, and price your expertise for profit.
Tap in and transform your expertise into an enterprise!
About the Author:
Kelly Charles-Collins is Founder of Speaker Moguls and the creator of Speaking Industry Xpo a/k/a THE 6. She teaches speakers, trainers, coaches, and consultants to turn their expertise into an enterprise—without underpricing or undervaluing their work. Through strategic positioning and proven business frameworks, Kelly equips experts to amplify their visibility, package their brilliance, and build sustainable, revenue-generating brands with authority.
