Join Shante and I for an open and honest chat about the challenges of juggling entrepreneurship while raising a child with special needs. Shante shares her personal story of adopting her son Benjamin, who was later diagnosed with autism, and the overwhelm she felt trying to give him the attention he deserved while also dedicating herself to the loan servicing startup she co-founded. We dive into the tough decision Shante made last year to take a 6 month hiatus from the company to focus on strengthening her boundaries and prioritizing self-care. She explains the mental reset this allowed and how it actually benefited both her son and the business in the long run. Now back as Director of Operations, Shante details the recent improvements that have righted the ship at BiFi. With a more cohesive leadership team and the addition of more expertise and resources, she's confident BiFi has an abundant future ahead as they get back on track to realize their goal of revolutionizing the loan servicing experience. Shante's story is one of perseverance through adversity, the power of mindset shifts, and learning when to stand your ground or surrender to growth. Tune in for an insightful and motivating conversation about the journey of entrepreneurial single parenthood.
In this episode, you will be able to:
Mastering Time Management: Discover the secrets to effectively balancing work and parenting as a single mom entrepreneur.
Building a Loan Servicing Empire: Learn how to start and grow a successful loan servicing company from scratch, even as a single parent.
Conquering Entrepreneurial Hurdles: Overcome the unique challenges of entrepreneurship as a single parent, and emerge victorious.
The Power of Effective Communication: Uncover the importance of clear and impactful communication in driving success for your business as a single parent entrepreneur.
Personal Growth Through Entrepreneurship: Explore how entrepreneurship can be a catalyst for personal growth and fulfillment while juggling the responsibilities of single parenthood.
My special guest is Shante, the Director of Operations and co-founder of Bi Fi Loan Servicing, is a remarkable individual with a wealth of experience in the loan servicing space. As a single mom of a special needs teenager, she has admirably balanced the demands of parenthood with her entrepreneurial pursuits. Over her eight-year career, Shante has demonstrated unwavering determination and a thirst for knowledge, propelling herself from an entry-level position to a leadership role. Her journey from personal challenges to professional success serves as an inspiration, offering valuable insights into time management, setting boundaries, and overcoming adversity. Shante's story resonates deeply with single parents navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship and leadership, making her a credible and relatable voice for those seeking guidance in similar roles.
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 - Navigating Personal and Professional Challenges
00:02:03 - Overcoming Adversity
00:02:54 - Introduction to the Podcast
00:03:19 - Shantay's Background and Career
00:13:30 - Embracing Opportunities
00:14:34 - Pursuing Entrepreneurial Dreams
00:15:15 - Balancing Work and Motherhood during Covid
00:16:44 - Coping with Challenges and Finding Blessings
00:23:35 - Lessons Learned from the First Year of Business
00:28:16 - Building Brand Recognition and Representing Bifi
00:28:44 - Challenges in the Business
00:29:42 - Personal Struggles
00:30:52 - Emotional Strain and Decision to Leave
00:35:51 - Internal Work and Boundaries
00:41:25 - Return to and Refocusing at Bifi
00:42:16 - Taking on a New Role
00:44:30 - Lessons Learned in Hiring
00:46:55 - Positive Changes and Resources
00:48:34 - Progress and Future Outlook
00:53:11 - Advice for Single Moms Starting a Business
00:56:46 - Time Management and Delegating
00:57:15 - Podcasts and Reading Habits
00:58:04 - Coping with Stress
00:58:35 - Contact Information
00:59:29 - Gratitude and Conclusion
The resources mentioned in this episode are:
Connect with Shante Duffy on LinkedIn or Facebook to stay updated on her latest insights and business developments.
Reach out to Shante Duffy via email at sduffy@bifiels.com for any inquiries or collaboration opportunities.
Visit the website bifiels.com to explore the services offered by Bi Fi Loan Servicing and to find contact information for further communication.
For private lenders, note investors, hard money lenders, and mortgage holders, consider reaching out to Bi Fi Loan Servicing for potential collaboration and partnership opportunities.
Stay tuned for future episodes of the podcast to gain practical knowledge and impactful stories from successful founders and entrepreneurs.