“Think bigger. Forget limits. Embrace the idea of endless possibility…. It will change you.” Marianne Williamson. This is an incredible quote for an equally incredible woman. Admitting to loving quotes, this 10-year member of PWN gives rise to her very own quote-worthy statements through her writing, motivational speaking, coaching and conversation. Haseena Shaheed-Jackson is the owner of Faith, Hope & Spirit, LLC. We on the PWN Board are excited that she can add the newest Board Member to her list of accomplishments, which also includes John Maxwell Trainer and Area Director for Toastmasters.

Growing up in Chicago, Shaheed-Jackson attended John Marshall Harlan High School, and it was during her freshman year that she decided what she wanted to do with her future. “I always loved connecting with people so I wanted to go into psychology. I really credit my 9^th grade gym teacher for inspiring me”, stated Jackson, “You must See More to Be More, she said, and that quote is what did it for me. I was the first in my family to attend college, so it was a bit scary, but my teacher helped me apply to several and I chose Creighton University. in Omaha.” Once there, it didn’t take long for her to change her major to business administration and management. Jackson graduated with a B.S.B.A in 1990.

Entering the corporate world, Haseena always gravitated towards and worked in consulting in a variety of arenas. “Connecting with people in some way was still always in my heart even though I was in the corporate world”, she stated. Continuing her education was always important to her so while working full time, she began her studies towards her master’s degree at Roosevelt University, achieving her MBA in Finance and Financial Management Services. With her passion and heart still rooted in connecting with people in a more personal way and knowing that her purpose was more than the corporate world she just knew she had to “see more to be more”! “I felt like I was in a cell everyday I went to work. I knew I needed to work, I mean we all must make a living, but I knew I had to leave that existence at some point”, she said. She recounted the story of the Two Rabbits about wisdom.

(This writer recommends you read it.   Click here.)

While she knew she wanted to enter the realm of entrepreneurship; she also was wise enough to know that she still needed to work. It was during this time she wrote her first book, Reflections Within, 2018. With encouragement from her biggest fan, husband David, she published that book! That was the motivation and inspiration she needed to move to owning her own business and becoming the woman she was gifted and really destined to be.

When asked where her “fire” comes from she answered quickly, “God. My faith. Being grounded in the Word. I knew why I was created and what I was created to do but helping someone else find “their own” – that is what inspires me.” Of her many gifts and talents writing is a passion. “I need to write. I have these words that just flow from my mind and heart, and I knew I needed to share them with others to motivate, encourage and inspire.”, she added. Her day starts with reading the Bible, meditating on the direction for the day and how she can be impactful, not only for herself but for others.

In sharing what the best part is of what she does there was no hesitation in her response, “When someone sees “the more” in themselves. What I mean by that is when I help them see that they can be more than they are now. When they begin to feel sparked, they can move to a place that is gratifying and satisfying. When they become empowered to take the next steps for themselves – that is the absolute best thing. On the flip side, the worst part is when there is no spark for themselves, and I simply can’t help them make that connection of movement. When I can’t inspire or motivate them. That part is very difficult for me.”

When she was asked what advice she would give to other women entrepreneurs she offered another quote, “Average is the easiest but the most dangerous place to be.” Continuing she added, “Blaze your own trail but reach back to help someone else follow it. And don’t forget to shake yourself up. Don’t settle for what just comes along! Always look for the ‘more’ you can be.”  This writer can affirm that Shaheed-Jackson has never settled for what just came along and is still blazing trails as she continues to grow her business, her faith, and her favor. She would like to be known as someone who “galvanized and enabled other into thinking in a new way and that she was able to spark someone – like a spark lights a fire.”

Women are in general so multi-faceted which is why the question, what is something no one knows about you, is always so interesting. Shaheed-Jackson’s was one of the most interesting things this writer has heard to date, “I’m a Black Belt in Hapkido”, was her response. That achievement is telling about her character, belief in self-discipline, and motivation to “see more to be more”. Not to mention this woman can break a board!

When asked if she had any parting thoughts for our PWN members her response was inspired, “Don’t let anyone or anything quiet that small voice that says You Can Be More! Free your mind to believe in More!” After my conversation with Haseena I can attest to her ability to motivate and inspire, sometimes without even intending to. I am looking forward to reading her books which include Reflections Within, Messages From the Spirit and Created to Soar. Also coming soon is a Journal due out in February and her 4^th book being released in the Fall of 2023.

If you’d like to learn more about Haseena, connect with her for coaching services or purchase one of her books you can visit her website by clicking here.