Today we’d like to introduce you to Missy Shackelford.
Hi Missy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
This is a hard one because it is a long one haha! My story in a summary, is basically overcoming domestic abuse, crippling anxiety and PTSD from losing my parents at a young age, mental health and financial struggles as a single mom and rebuilding myself later in life- in my forties. But, then after working on myself, I learned how to have faith and faith in myself to accomplish things that I never thought I could. Especially building a business that had never existed before. So, I didn’t have a model to help me. No one was teaching songwriting to young people much less making a credible business of it. I started The Song Shack with barely enough money and students to operate it. But, I knew it had to be done. I saw the life changing experience young people were having through writing songs. They were writing songs about issues in their life that they could tell no one about. Big issues. I begin to see how having a safe and creative space was making a difference in their lives. We grew from 11 students taking songwriting and vocal lessons to now almost 80 that take songwriting, vocals, instrument lessons, audition prep classes as well as artist development. Many have released songs on spotify, been on tours, commercials and movies, leads in shows, a lot of accomplishments to list. I actually could cry now as I am writing this thinking of all of these kids who were not really accepted into social crowds and had a hard time making friends. But at TSS they felt like home and becasue at TSS we have a certain culture and a mandatory kindness contract it enables kids to feel accepted and even loved regardless of who they are or what they are going through. This journey has given me the confidence to trust myself and to trust the things that may not make sense on paper. Ahhh there is so much I could add to this… but yes it continues to be an amazing journey and one that I am honored to be on.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It certainly has been a struggle. Of course, financially. The crazy miracles that happened and allowed me to continue when I knew I could not afford it but had to try. Like before the first lease payment the agent said I co9uld have a few months free to paint which allowed me time to get more students, and then before the lights wouold be cut off, a new student would sign up and it would be the EXACT amount of our bill, people donating equipment, etc. Mind blowing really. But then after we began to grow and financials became less acute, there were other struggles. Like navigating students who were going through serious issues and how to best handle that. Then, how to make everyone care about one another and feel accepted at tss. Along with offereing free lessons for stduents who couldn’t afford to pay and finding ways to accomodate.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I began as a creative. I was a songwriter professionally and then began to work in the music business doing publishing and “sync”. I was actually one of the first women to work in that lane of the music industry, It was still new then and heavilly dominated by men. After that journey, I began working with artists and songwriters. That lead me to open the song shack. So, now I am a business owner. I LOVE business and have for a lot of my life, I woulod work on other peoples businesses but doubted my ability to be competent to do my own. Now, I have several businesses but my heart is always where the song shack is. I also am an author and currently working on my third book. So, people know me for wearing many different hats. But, my favorite hat is being a teacher and mentor to young people. Helping them find their voice, their confidence and their purpose in the world.
What does success mean to you?
Success is accomplishing the things YOU want from life. It looks different for everyone because success is so individual. But, if you have a life where you feel safe, loved and joyful- you have succeeded. I always say dreams are simply goals without a plan.
Contact Info:
- Website: thesongshack.com and missyshackelford..com
- Instagram: thesongshack
- Facebook: thesongshack
- Youtube: th3e Song Shack Memphis
