KISH: Tell us about you..
I am Shelly Shelton, an author (of children’s books in addition, self help books that get separated/divorced people through tough times), motivational speaker, and divorce recovery coach. My books are for tweens and adults with uplifting faith driven messages, principles of kid entrepreneurship, teamwork, dream building, consistency, commitment, and more. As a divorce recovery coach, I teach those separated and divorced to bounce back and get through the emotional trauma, the financial drama and all those moments where you’ll feel like calling your mama (and your daddy too). I have battled multiple sclerosis for 17 years – challenged with temporary blindness and unable to walk in the past. I’m a woman that believes that one woman can change the world.
KISH: What is your dream and how will accomplishing your dream benefit you and others?
Shelly: My prayer daily is that I live the life I dream of having: including early retirement to pursue the dream of becoming a full time author, screenwriter, ghost writer, actress, blogger, and real estate investor. I want to change people’s lives!
My real estate company is Luke 137 Realty LLC with the vision of providing homes, apartments, AirBNBs, condos, tiny homes and affordable living. I dream of having the entire world pick up my book, Are You There God? It’s Me Chandler (and the Adventure of Chandler book series), obtain homeschooling products, and inspirational kid clothing/accessories. I dream that it inspires the world to believe in dreaming big, going after your dreams, and never giving up even if others give up on you. Most of all, I dream that Chandler(the son I always dreamed of having), a young black boy, becomes the face of cartoons, movies, sitcoms, video games, homeschooling products!! Oh, and yes –that Tyler Perry picks it up as a movie and cartoon (promoting wholesome, positive content). The dream is Chandler becomes a household name that children of color and children around the world can admire, adore and relate to. (plus, it would be great if Tyler thought he’d be a hit as Madea’s great grandson possibly!) 
I didn’t have kids. But, God birthed the child I dreamed of having in a series of books.
Also, I dream that when people view my Divorce Recovery video and consult with me for help that they bury the OLD and live the NEW.
KISH: Who or what inspired you to pursue this dream?
Shelly: When I went through divorce it was the most devastating thing to me. One day you wake up and your life has completely changed. I sacrificed who I was within my marriage and I promised myself to never do that again. So every dream that I buried to help support my spouse at the time, I dug them up and went after them. I wanted to have a son that would look just like us and God birthed him into a book. So, divorce pushed me, hope had me holding on, and prayer brought it all home. Also, one of my dear friends is Dr. Eric Thomas, and he & CJ Quinney listened to my story and believed in me enough to coach me as a motivational speaker. I never wanted to get my story out there about the storm of going through divorce. But, that storm even though it was dark for years turned my life around. Please visit my story on youtube at: Motivational Speaker – Divorce Recovery Also, I prayed for a sisterhood encompassing prayer and non-judgement. I created the Lady Lions, a prayer squad that are my LINDAs. (see my video re: what’s my LINDA)
KISH: What challenges have you encountered while pursuing your dream?
Shelly: Not having a team to help support me that believed in the vision. 2nd thing – Me. I had to get out of my own way. I had to stop believing that just because my ex husband didn’t believe in me, and us staying together didn’t mean that I shouldn’t believe in me. I had to believe that the dream was achievable. So, I put all of me in God’s Word and pulled out my favorite scripture: Luke 1:37. I haven’t looked back since.
KISH: Who or what inspired you to keep pushing regardless of the challenges you’ve encountered?
Shelly: Oprah Winfrey’s tenacity to keep pushing when her network was challenged. Halle Berry when her marriages failed. Beyonce when she works so hard that she forgets to eat. Lastly, Eric Thomas said your pain ain’t permanent. I have been pushing ever since. Most importantly my ex-husband when he gave up on me, I realized I can now be ME – unapologetically me – the imperfect me. I will not stop! When he called me WEAK, I thought my God he thinks I’m weak when I intentionally tried to look weak so that he could feel strong. At that moment, I knew I could then be me and keep pushing..non stop!!
KISH: Please provide final thoughts/advice for others by finishing this sentence… dream.
Shelly: Dream big-big! The first time you dream you’re not dreaming big enough.
