Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Giles.
Hi Shawn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I became an entrepreneur in 2018 and started out as a podcaster. My interests began to expand as I began to use my passions as my purpose. I have a background in fashion, culinary arts, & African American studies, so I began to expand by hosting events that intertwined them all. So my past has lead me to where I am right now.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, it was hard to find a community of support for my different endeavors while on my entrepreneurial journey. I took that as an opportunity to create the communities I wanted to see and be a part of. It was important to find my tribe and a network where we can pour into one another and exchange resources.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My brand is called The Sdot Experience. I specialize in food, fashion, and events. I create events that shed light on other creatives within the city. I also have a lot of events that focus on women empowerment and networking. I’ve always been in the service field, so it’s second nature to utilize my platform for others to get more exposure, further building community.
I’m a private chef as well as a caterer. I host events with a menu I curate to tie in my culinary skills. In addition, I have a clothing line I started at the height of the pandemic. As a black woman, and person of color, I felt the importance of creating apparel that is about self-expression and 100% for the culture. In a world where we aren’t always represented, this is my way of putting us center stage and encouraging other people of color to do the same. Being proud of who we are and where we come from.
I’m most proud of taking a chance on myself and pursuing my passions. I’m from a generation that didn’t promote individuality. So I’m pretty stocked to be following my dreams, in my way.
What sets me apart from others is my drive and resilience. I’m in my senior year of entrepreneurship (4th year) and I still don’t have any desire to follow trends nor do I get caught up in the hype of social media trends. I think people relate to my authenticity and transparency about my journey.
Please follow my social media handles to stay connected with me for future events.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love that St. Louis is a city full of go-getters. I love the hustle mentality. That spirit will get you far anywhere. I dislike the fact that we are still so behind in comparison to bigger cities like Chicago. I wish we had more resources and outlets for creatives. It’s a lot of talent in this city. I wish that was displayed more.
Contact Info:
- Email: Thesdotexperience@gmail.com
- Website: Thesdotexperience.com
- Instagram: Thesdotexperiencellc
- Facebook: HTTPS://m.Facebook.com/shawn.s.giles
Image Credits
AK Media Solutions
Big Stu Films
GQ Enterprises
Don Louie
