Crowned by the Journey : My Orlando Carnival Queen Pageant Story

Crowned by the Journey : My Orlando Carnival Queen Pageant Story

In this heartfelt episode, I share my personal journey into the Miss Orlando Carnival Queen Pageant and how a series of unexpected moments, challenges, opportunities, and connections continually reminded me that I was exactly where I was meant to be. What began as a pageant experience quickly became so much more. From building genuine friendships with my pageant sisters to stepping into new opportunities, strengthening my confidence, reconnecting with my creativity, and immersing myself deeper into Caribbean culture and community, this journey transformed me in ways I never expected. In this episode, I discuss: ✨ The ups and downs of joining the pageant ✨ The moments that confirmed I was on the right path ✨ The sisterhood formed with my fellow contestants ✨ The experiences and opportunities that came from saying “yes” ✨ Personal growth, self-discovery, and stepping outside my comfort zone ✨ What happens when you allow yourself to pursue something you’ve always wanted to do This episode also serves as the beginning of a special podcast series featuring interviews with my fellow contestants. Together, we’ll highlight the incredible women behind the crowns, their businesses, platforms, passions, and the impact they’re making in our communities. These interviews are being recorded at CAP Village, a creative content hub located inside Orlando Fashion Square Mall. From podcasts and photography to content creation and media production, Cab Village is helping creators and entrepreneurs bring their visions to life. Whether you’re interested in pageantry, personal growth, entrepreneurship, Caribbean culture, or simply hearing stories of women pursuing their goals, this series is for you. Subscribe now and follow along as we continue the conversations beyond the stage.

The Real Path to Building a Notary Business: What I Did, What Failed, & What Paid Off

This episode is a candid look behind the scenes of my notary journey—how I got started, what I did right, what I did wrong, and what I wish someone had told me sooner. Check out my digital products: https://shanajraydigitals.gumroad.com/ Digital products : I walk you through the real process of setting up my notary business, from early decisions and unexpected roadblocks to how I figured out advertising, pricing, and systems that actually worked. I also share the personal life challenges that slowed me down at times, how I pushed through them, and how those experiences shaped the way I run my business today. This isn’t a polished “overnight success” story. It’s honest, practical, and grounded in real life. I talk about the pitfalls I ran into, the lessons I learned the hard way, and how I adjusted when things didn’t go as planned. I also share a first look at my digital products—resources I’ve created to help notaries and entrepreneurs shortcut some of the trial and error. Podcast listeners hear about these tools first before they’re fully promoted elsewhere. You can find what’s currently available on my Gumroad page, with more products coming soon. If you need more than digital products, I also offer additional support and guidance for those who want hands-on help. Stay tuned to the podcast to stay ahead of what’s launching, what’s evolving, and what’s next. If you’re building a notary business, starting over, or trying to grow something while navigating real life, this episode is for you. Check out my current digital products on Gumroad, and stay tuned—podcast listeners hear about new releases first.

Transitions, Divorce, and the Birth of My Notary Journey

This episode is one of the most personal ones I’ve ever recorded. I open up about how my divorce shaped the path I’m on now — not as something that broke me, but as something that pushed me toward the life and the work I was meant to build. Check out my digital products: https://shanajraydigitals.gumroad.com/ I talk about the way transitions, emotional strain, and those “pause moments” have played a role in my growth. Not setbacks — just chapters that required me to reset, breathe, and return stronger. Through all of it, becoming a notary was more than a business decision. It was a lifeline, a new identity, and a way to step into something I’ve wanted since childhood while discovering passions I didn’t even know I had as an adult. This episode shares the vulnerable truth about restarting again and again, choosing purpose after every pause, and building a business while healing, learning, and constantly evolving. My notary journey is tied to my divorce, my resilience, and my desire to help people — and I’m finally speaking about how deeply connected all of that is. I’m excited to keep sharing my story, my growth, my business, and the behind-the-scenes of everything I’m building. If you’re navigating your own transitions — whether easier or harder — I hope this episode reminds you that you can rebuild, reshape, and rise in your own time. Stay tuned. There’s so much more I’m ready to talk about.

Rebuilding After Divorce: Motherhood, and the Rise of My Notary Business

This is the official reboot of Raising Bosses. The podcast started years ago as a space for entrepreneurial parents juggling family and business — but my life has changed, my work has grown, and this platform is growing with me. Check out my digital products: https://shanajraydigitals.gumroad.com/ In this revamped first episode, I open up about the transition from being a parent-focused show to a space for entrepreneurs of all kinds, while still holding space for parents who are building something of their own. I talk about the evolution of my life and business over these last few years, including how I’m growing my notary business, loan signing work, officiant services, tax prep, and more — and why I’m finally ready to bring all of that to this podcast. I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes, the setbacks, the expansion, and the vulnerable truths that shaped me as a business owner. This is about building from scratch, rebuilding after life hits hard, and coming back stronger. My interviews are officially open again. If you want to be on the show, the new guest form is ready — and I’m excited to talk to entrepreneurs, creators, parents, young business owners, and anyone with a journey worth sharing. This season is about honesty. Growth. Real stories. And the reminder that even after years of pause, you can return — louder, wiser, and more intentional. Stay tuned. There’s more to tell. And more to build. notary business journey, entrepreneur story, business growth, young entrepreneur, single mom entrepreneur, rebuilding life, starting a business from scratch, podcast reboot, notary tips, small business owner, business expansion, Raising Bosses relaunch, motivational entrepreneur story.

Inside MothaHood: Motherhood, Entrepreneurship, and a Clothing Line From Scratch

This episode of Raising Bosses features a powerful conversation with the creator of MothaHood, a young mom who built a comfortable, lifestyle-driven clothing brand while raising two small children. No print-on-demand shortcuts, no big team — just passion, samples, hands-on production, and a vision to represent motherhood with style. Check out my digital products: https://shanajraydigitals.gumroad.com/ We talk about balancing parenting with entrepreneurship, starting a clothing brand from the ground up, staying committed through the challenges, and building something real while nurturing a family. If you’re a young mom, aspiring entrepreneur, or anyone dreaming of launching a product-based business, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to take the next step. Follow MothaHood on Instagram: @theirhandle Follow Raising Bosses for more interviews, tips, and stories: @shanajray Stay tuned — more empowering episodes are coming in Season Two. mom entrepreneur, young mom business owner, clothing brand founder, start a clothing line, product-based business tips, working mom entrepreneur, brand building while parenting, MothaHood clothing brand, small business stories, mom empowerment, entrepreneurship with kids, family and business balance.