We had the good fortune of connecting with Sharise L. Erby and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sharise, what are you inspired by?
I am inspired by the growth and success of the women who allow me to speak into their lives. It warms my soul when I talk to a woman who is fearful or shy about doing something like a facebook live, we talk, I explain the benefits, and break down how to be effective in just 5 short minutes, and then challenge them to go live. Then I look up days later and they are live, 30 days later, they are killing it on facebook. I draw inspiration from their success. Or those women who I chat with and they are hesitant or don’t know how to make their next business move, we talk, they draw confidence, and then launch out into the deep, and incredible happens. I draw inspiration from their courage and success.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am the humble founder of the Phenomenal Woman Empowerment Network, our mission is to strengthen the economic status, leadership, and power of women as they take their success to the next level.

EmPOWER – Empower women to own their success. The Initiative will enable women to enhance and develop their quality of life and become architects of their future by presenting opportunities for mental, emotional, spiritual, financial, physical, relational, and professional transformation.

Encourage – Provide a non-judgmental space for women to feel safe in sharing their stories while being celebrated for their endurance, achievements, and perseverance.

Equip – Training programs to increase the level of knowledge and expertise to sustain and thrive economically, in leadership, owning their power, and living their best lives now.

Elevate – A woman’s self-esteem, self-image, and self-confidence are greatly enhanced as she learns her purpose, her various gifts, talents and abilities. Which in turn makes her a better mother, wife, parent, businesswoman, etc. Someone once said that our life reflects our attitudes and therefore having a new attitude will invariably create new results. Thus, it is our goal to help women develop new attitudes toward their circumstances and to help them rise above them. We believe that women were not created to be perfect but to be whole. When women are operating within their wholeness authentic, sustainable, success is achievable. PWEN provides minority women with the access to resources needed to overcome poverty, gender pay gaps, and inadequate educational support. In response to the unmet needs of thousands of women PWEN offers affordable and often free personal and professional development training to help women enter a space of wholeness. The aim of personal and professional development is to help women manage their own learning and growth throughout their professional and personal endeavors. With all of the women’s empowerment organizations in our communities, I often take inventory of what sets PWEN a part, the overwhelming response is that our organization truly focuses on the personal, professional, and spiritual development of our partners and attendees. Most organizations are dynamic at focusing on one of these areas, some organizations are amazing at focusing on two of these areas, however PWEN has found our niche at incorporating all three of these areas for a wholistic approach. I am most proud of our ability to have served just over 15,000 women internationally through our platform and directly assisting in helping 120 women start and grow their businesses. Additionally, we have 4 young women who PWEN is helping through college, this is so huge! I can’t quite explain it but I get joy from assisting and cheering women on to their next level of success, I get excited, I draw inspiration and it motivates me to continue doing my part. My journey personally, professionally, and spiritually definitely has not been easy, it has been everything except easy. There have been plenty of days where I felt like, “what am I doing, I am sacrificing a lot, should I just take myself back into corporate and collect a check?” But just then, I get a phone call, a personal note, a facebook note, or something from a woman somewhere letting me know how I directly or indirectly help to change her thoughts, which changed her actions, which changed her life. Then I live another day to do what I have been created to do. I can’t forget that I am also the CEO of Go Tell It Communications & Publishing, which publishes books, develops speakers, and produces statement t-shirts. As I wrap up this question, I will share a secret with you, 25 years ago when I truly began to understand my calling and purpose, I went to God and said, “God if this is really you, if this is really what you want me to do, I will do it BUT I just ask one thing of you. Whenever I speak, write, or step out to help another woman, please send me immediate confirmation somehow that I am still on track with what you have called me to do. When I stop getting those confirmations, I will sit down and mind my business!” God has been true from that day to this day to somehow get me confirmation that I am still on purpose!

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
Oh wow, this is a fun but difficult question. I am a Native Phoenician and sometimes I think I have taken my city for granted. Arizona is a great state and has so much to offer in the Southwest. If I had to show a friend around, first of all, like many I love mexican food, so I would have to take my girl to Carolina’s Mexican food on Mohave, their freshly made tortillas are mouth watering. We would have to drive up South Mountain and gaze out over the city and admire the valley of the sun. We’d have to take a few days and pamper ourselves at the Sanctuary or the Four Seasons at Troon North, massages, pedi’s, mani’s, and just the whole spoilage. I definitely couldn’t let my girl come to town and not take her up to Sedona, this is a must! The red rock is breathtaking, we would of course do the pink jeep tours, horseback riding, and without a doubt some of the best shopping. On her last night we would have to flip a coin and dine out at either Steak 44, Dominic’s, or Ocean 44 the decision would be difficult but we couldn’t go wrong with the choice.   

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My biggest Shoutout goes to my mother who passed away 24 years ago, she planted the seed that continues to grow in and through me. I must Shoutout the next two people, first is my very first mentor Nancy Webb. I am not sure where she is these days but without her even knowing it she became my mentor in 1998, the business and leadership lessons Nancy taught me were invaluable and I use every lesson right now today. The second Shoutout goes to my pastor, Elder Glenn Dennard. He has been my pastor, life coach, and business coach for the past 30 years. He manages to challenge me, push me, support me, and cheer me on as I navigate through life and business. Most of all, I truly appreciate that he allows me to be me without judgement, just the best version of me! Lastly, I want to Shoutout EVERY woman who trusts me as her next level success & business coach, every woman who has attended a PWEN event, bought one of my books, or supported any endeavor that carries my name. You all encourage me beyond what you will ever know and I love and appreciate each of you!

Website: www.mypwen.org and www.shariselerby.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pwenaz
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/shariselerby
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pwenaz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PWEN.LiveFierce
Other: www.notnowapparel.shop

Image Credits
OD Harris Media Photos by Elena & Jim Sharise L Erby

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