Meet Grace Sorrells | Content creator and Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Grace Sorrells and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Grace, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Work balance is one of those tricky things that everyone deals with. It’s always hard to say you want to prioritize a certain area of my life, but its always changing. In my opinion, that’s the beautiful thing about work-life balance… it is always evolving as you grow older. Since starting my own business and working daily on the brand, I have also been a full-time college student at the University of South Carolina. Completing my college degree was one of my goals in high school and as tempted I have been to just work full time, I am thankful now with a few more months before I walk the stage. Balancing school and work is hard, but having the thought in my head that I am so close is the motivation I need too keep going. If its not school, I have family, friends and obviously much-needed time off. It happens if you don’t prioritize that down time… there will be balance and you will get burnt out. Life and work are always changing that will affect what you will have on your plate, Keep balance, its the only way.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
How did I get here? That is a great question. Something I ask myself often. Imposter syndrome is real. Standing in rooms filled with millionaires, business owners, models, and more… it’s wild. Even with the opportunities I have been given a chance to experience and work, I look back and wonder how this all presented itself in front of me. I have made many mistakes and have didn’t get the shot more times to count. I credit so much to god and him blessing me with the highs and lows to teach me how to do my work by his name and glorifying the most high. Times have been hard and through it all he has helped me prevail and come out stronger and wiser. People would describe me as a go-getter, one not to take “no” as an answer. If I set something out for myself, I will complete it. There was nothing to big for me to try and conquer, no one I couldn’t speak or work with. The worst that could happen is someone saying no or not liking you, right? With this mindset, I feel comfortable speaking with anyone and if I could give advice too.. don’t be afraid to speak to anyone and make an effort to speak to anyone while in these situations. The bodyguard that is standing by the court, say hello. The Getty photographer with 30 years under his belt, ask him what his shooting set up is. You never know the impact you leave on people, but you have the power to impact people and their perspectives with the confidence to be yourself.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Right now, after 4 years of living in Columbia, South Carolina, and being a student at the University of South Carolina… I can say I know a thing or too about the area. If you are in town during football season, the south is known for it’s incredible atmosphere when Saturdays roll around. Games at Williams Brice are unforgettable and spending a day in the fair grounds tailgating is just as fun to add to the day. Columbia has some great local restaurants, including Di Prato’s a local NYC Italian-style deli. They have the best pimento cheese, in fact they are the restaurant that provides it’s recipe for the US Masters hosted in Georgia. Looking for some scenic views? Lake Murray is voted South Carolinas best lake is about a 20 minute drive from downtown. Beaches or mountains? Either one is about a hour and a half drive each way to see both! There is so much to offer and I am so thankful for having the time I did have in Columbia!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I started taking photos for my high school men’s soccer team as my first job working in media. There was no intention for me to pick up a camera and honestly, the only thing I was confident in was posting things in their social platforms. One day, I brought my friends a professional camera (not a phone) and had the absolute time of my life. Since then, I have been hooked, in fact… obsessed with all things sport media related. I can say after 7 years in, I am have experienced, connected and grew so much as a young women since taking my career head on. The people that I have connected with and learned from, I will be forever indebted to their knowledge and opinions that have help mold me. At the age of 19, Powerhandz trusted me to creative direct and shoot the “Lamelo Ball 1Ball Collection” which involved about a month of preparation and connecting with CEO Danyel Jones. This soon lead into me signing along with Lamelo Ball and his serval companies owned by him, giving a opportunity to work with an NBA All-Star as a full time college student in another state. Crazy, you might ask? Indeed it was. Traveling weekly for meetings and content. Those times were some of my most stressful and rewarding experiences. Alongside of working with Lamelo, I have worked privately with several other professional athletes, each of with a wonderful time for me to learn from being in such situations at a young age. Since being at USC, I also have worked with our athletic teams covering football, basketball, baseball, swim, and more. This semester, I had the chance to cover our undefeated Women’s Basketball team to the SEC tournament where they were crowned champions. Also have worked alongside the following organizations Red Bull, SLAM HS, Charlotte FC, Charlotte Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, and many others. Check out my social media and website for a deeper look!

Website: www.shotwithgrace.com

Instagram: @shotwithgrace

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/gracesorrells

Twitter: @shotwithgrace

Facebook: @shotwithgrace

Youtube: @shotwithgrace

Other: Gondola : https://gondola.cc/shotwithgrace

Image Credits
– first 4 taken by me – photo of me and Malaysia fulwiley taken by USA Today Jim Dedmon – last three taken by Brandon Burdette