The Franchisor Advantage: What Both Sides of the Table Teach You About Building a Brand with Dame Dr. Shatira Wilks
Dame Dr. Shatira Wilks joins host Lady Jen Du Plessis at Stone Tower Vineyards for a candid conversation about building a thriving franchise empire from the inside out. As one of the few African American female franchisors in the country, Dame Dr. Shatira shares the mindset principles, hard-won business lessons, and community-first philosophy that have fueled her success with Chicago Chicken Shack. From accepting EBT cards in underserved communities to feeding 500–1,000 families a month for free, she proves that purpose-driven leadership is the ultimate business strategy.
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Connect with Lady Jen
Connect and Schedule a Strategy call at https://supportfromjen.com/ [https://supportfromjen.com/]
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LadyJenDuPlessis [https://www.youtube.com/@LadyJenDuPlessis]
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Podcast Guest Profits Masterclass: https://go.jenduplessis.com/podcast-guest-profits-masterclass [https://go.jenduplessis.com/mortgage-mastery-masterclass-registration]
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Get to know Dame Dr. Shatira Wilks
As a serial entrepreneur, Dame Dr. Shatira has carved an extraordinary path through the business world. Transitioning from a career at the U.S. Post Office to a full-time pursuit of entrepreneurship, Shatira's journey has been marked by remarkable achievements and groundbreaking ventures that have garnered national and international recognition.
Beginning as a sought-after National Handbag Designer, Shatira's creations graced the pages of prestigious publications such as Ebony, Instyle, and the list goes on. while also captivating audiences through television and radio broadcasts nationwide. Her innovative designs ultimately propelled her into becoming a U.S. Importer/Exporter, where she established herself as a trailblazing female in Illinois, working relentlessly to gain approval for her Eel skin Leather Handbags with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife and various U.S. Custom Ports, once that was approved, she did her own brokerage as one of three licensed women in the State of Illinois, and the only African American women, as she went on to sell her products nationwide, which resulted in over $6 million worth of free advertising.
Continuing to expand her entrepreneurial portfolio, Shatira ventured into the realm of multi-unit franchise ownership, acquiring 6 locations of a national brand becoming a Franchisee, Simultaneously, she Opened Diva Dolls International, the first licensed Plastic Surgery Recovery Home in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and for seven years, her establishment aided over 5000 women worldwide, helping women through their medical procedures, and helping to rescue women from Sex trafficking earning her the status of a legend in the Dominican Republic, per many of her clients.
Shatira's unwavering commitment to uplifting others extends to her role as a Franchisor, where she launched Chicago's Chicken Shacks as an approved licensed brand to operate across the United States, exemplifying her hard work and vision within the franchise industry. Ever focused on catalyzing growth and fostering possibilities, she has evolved into a revered public speaker and philanthropist, extending charitable support to shelters, children, animals, and simply individuals in need. Shatira is also the first and only recipient to receive The International Women of the Year award, hosted by NowHonors live in Las Vegas. She is also a recipient of The United States Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, due her Philanthropy and Leadership. That's not it, research shows there are only 3% of African American Female Franchisors across the United States and 20% to 30% of women Franchisors globally and Shatira is in the 3%.
Shatira has also been awared the "LEGACY BUILDER FRANCHISOR OF THE YEAR AWARD" from the Women of Heart foundation, known as "The Oscar for Womantarians" in London due to her outstanding performance as the creator and franchisor of Chicago's Chicken Shack®. It's not over, Shatira has also been awarded the TRAILBLAZER FOUNDER OF THE YEAR AWARD 2025.
Acknowledged as Dame Dr. Shatira following the conferral of an Honorary Doctorate Degree, her dedication to creating transformative experiences has positioned her as a Knighted member of The Royal and Sovereign House of Cappadocia under The Royal Order of Constantine The Great and St. Helen, as she was Knighted by your highness Prince Rafael Andujar a decent to Constantine the Great. Embodying a spirit of selfless service and boundless compassion, Dame Dr. Shatira exemplifies a life lived with intention, as she continues impacting other's lives with an open heart and unwavering generosity.
Connect with Dr. Shatira
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicagoschickenshack/ [https://www.instagram.com/tdpineadvisors/]
* Website: [https://tdpineadvisors.com/%20]https://www.chicagoschickenshack.com/ [https://www.chicagoschickenshack.com/]
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