Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherri Parks.
Hi Sherri, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My story technically begins in 1986, when I was born into a household plagued by domestic violence. Although I was never the “target” of these occurrences, which were both physical and verbal towards the women in my life, the trauma of witnessing these daily outbursts impacted me in a number of ways. I was conditioned to believe that I had no value, no voice, and that I was not worthy of love. Of course, as a young child I did not know this was the reason for my timidness and as a teenager why I felt so discarded and overlooked but the constant intruding thoughts that I was never going to treasured invaded my mind for a good majority of my existence.
The greatest blessing in my life, even in the midst of this toxic environment, was that I was raised in the church. The frilly dresses, the praise dance team–we did it all. However, it wasn’t until college, when I became involved with a campus ministry, that I realized that being a Christian was not only about church attendance but a relationship. As I began to pursue Christ, my eyes were opened to his pursuit and heart towards me. Even when I became an unwed mother during my junior year in college and shame tried to overtake me, Christ constantly bombarded me with messages of his love and his commitment to working everything out for my good and his glory.
Fast-forward several years to the pandemic. As we were barricaded in our homes, after reading 1 Peter 2:9, I had an “aha” moment. All of the years prior–through heartbreak and trauma, through my failures and successes, God had always been calling me to walk royal. I needed to embrace my identity as the daughter of the King, I needed to thrive in the freedom he died for, and I needed to walk in the purpose he predestined for me. And from this realization my businesstry, Walk Royal, was birthed. I want to help other women, both young and old, to thrive as daughter’s of the King and rock a cute t-shirt while doing it.
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?
I have 36 years of negative thoughts and beliefs about myself that made developing Walk Royal a challenge. However, I am not in this by myself. So, when I felt like my t-shirt designs weren’t good enough or as I wrote my first mini-eBook, Abide, and even when I met with my first life-coaching client, I affirmed myself with the Word of God.
In a more practical sense, my biggest struggle even today is learning how to balance my time. I work full-time, I am a wife, a mother, and an entrepreneur, so there never seems to be enough time in the day to get everything done. On most days, I wake up at 4:30 am so that I can check some things off my to-list before everyone in my house wakes up. I have to find those breaks throughout my day to devote to my businesstry.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
All of what I do intersects, coaching is my specialty. In my 9-5, I am an academic coach at a local community college. I spend 40 hours a week pouring into young people to help them not only reach their goals of earning a degree/certificate but also encouraging them to think differently about themselves and the obstacles they face. As you can imagine, this can sometimes be challenging work but many of these students have persevered and it’s amazing to witness. In 2020, I was awarded the Student Choice Award and to this day I still do not know who nominated me but I know it is a testament to the work God is doing through me.
As a certified life coach, I am the “Royalty Coach.” My clients seek me out when they are not thriving in a particular area, whether it be time management, relationships, business development, or spiritual. BUT a house will topple over if the foundation is not strong, so we always start with Christ and seek out his guidance as we continue throughout our sessions. Some of my clients have started businesses, grew stronger in their personal relationships and all of them have left with tools to live the life God created them for.
For women who may not desire a coach in this season of their lives , on every 4th Saturday of the month, I host “Bible & Brunch” at a local library. This is an opportunity for women of all ages to fellowship, eat some good food and tackle “hot topics” that relate to our spiritual growth, with practical applications to our daily lives. Bible and Brunch is completely free to attend.
What do you think about happiness?
I have two sons 11 years apart and they are my joy. Seeing my own children grow and develop, experiencing their very different personalities, it just affects me in a deeper way. They challenge me to walk the walk and not just talk the talk as a Believer. Secondly, a significant part of my businesstry is creating products. I design and make all of my t-shirts, I designed my eBook and Quiet-Time Journal, and I have began to make clay earrings. Creating is my happy place, I would stay in my office for hours if I could. Last but certainly not least, I am the person you see at the stoplight, literally performing in the car. Music helps me express my emotions and just gives me an excuse to dance and sing off-key.
Pricing:
- 4-Coaching Sessions $140 ($35 per 1/2 hour session)
- All T-Shirts $25
- 2023: The Year to Abide (eBook) $.99
- 30-Day Quiet-Time Journal, Vol. I Identity $20
- “So Loved” Sweatshirt $45
Contact Info:
- Website: www.walkroyal.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkroyallife/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walkroyallife
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@walkroyal
