FROM SMALL TOWN GIRL TO CREATIVE VISIONARY, SHOPLOCAL.US GRANT WINNER SHERI FINK SHARES THE WEALTH WITH SOUTH BAY KIDS
She had big shoes to fill from an early age, “My mom was always a huge proponent of higher education and instilled in me that I would be the first person in my family to go to college,” said Sheri Fink, Inspirational Speaker, Award-Winning Author, and the Creator of “The Whimsical World of Sheri Fink” Inspirational Brand.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Visit SheriFink.com and you’ll see a photo of Sheri in her signature hair of bright and happy rainbow colors, something that her “Whimsical World” fans have come to expect and enjoy. But it wasn’t always that way…
Many entrepreneurs leave the cold corporate world with self-determination to run their own business, and that’s just what Ms. Fink did. “I wanted to pursue something that set my soul on fire. I couldn’t do that where I was before,” said Ms. Fink. At that time, she was a successful marketing executive grinding out a living in corporate America.
It All Started with a Rose
The journey from a small rural town to college, earning both her undergraduate and graduate degrees, to corporate America, and finally inspiring children and adults around the world, all started with a rose.
“During a time of adversity, I had an epiphany and wrote down the story of ‘The Little Rose’,” said Ms. Fink. The Little Rose is a heartwarming story about embracing who you really are despite your current environment. Not sure exactly what to do with this inspiration at first, Ms. Fink thought, ‘Maybe it’s a children’s book.’”
Ultimately, she published “The Little Rose” which quickly hit #1 on Amazon’s best seller list and stayed there for 60 weeks. It was eventually adapted into a play and today Ms. Fink has written and published several more award-winning books and has created a line of complementary “whimsical” beauty products.
Supporting Her Brand and the Community, It’s a Win-WON!
Ms. Fink is in the business of inspiring others to live their dreams through her book series and beauty products, and especially through her story. So it wasn’t a stretch when she had the idea of applying for the ShopLocal.us grant in order to donate her beloved book, “The Little Rose” and the full collection of all five of her children’s book titles, to the local community.
“If I could get the message [from the book] out to people at a young age, then it could inspire them to have infinite possibilities,” said Ms. Fink. This was the mantra that initially inspired her to publish the book, and it is the common thread through all of her creative endeavors.
“I thought, wouldn’t it be amazing to give the books away,” said Ms. Fink, “But I wasn’t in the position financially.”
Giving Back
Ms. Fink was one of ShopLocal’s grant prize winners in 2015 and she gave her grant winnings back to kids in the community by donating her books.
Working with local librarians and Darcy Hastings, LA County Library Children’s Book Evaluator, she donated her inspirational books, totaling one-thousand dollars, to our South Bay Libraries.
You can now find, copies of Ms. Fink’s inspirational children’s books at the following libraries:
Gardena Mayme Dear Library
Hawthorne Library
Hermosa Beach Library
Lawndale Library
Manhattan Beach Library
Palos Verdes Library
Redondo Beach Library
Wiseburn Library (in Hawthorne)
“I’m so grateful to the ShopLocal.us judges for enabling me to gift these books to the children in our local community,” said Ms. Fink.
A Whimsical Brand, World-Wide
When asked about the future of the Sheri Fink brand, Ms. Fink replied, “I would love for ‘The Whimsical World of Sheri Fink’ to be a global lifestyle brand complete with entertainment, education, beauty, fashion, merchandise, toys, games, and more designed to inspire and delight kids of all ages while planting seeds of self-esteem worldwide. I want to make a massive positive difference in the world and I’m open to seeing how the magic unfolds.”
Watch The Whimsical World of Sheri Fink’s Grant Video submission from 2015
Why Apply for the ShopLocal.us Grant?
ShopLocal.us is part of a grassroots effort to inspire more people to buy from local businesses in neighborhoods across America to keep our communities healthy, wealthy, and vibrant. To help local businesses achieve greater visibility and profitability, ShopLocal.us certifies small locally-based and independent businesses.
ShopLocal.us is hosting its 4th Annual Small Indie Business Grant Awards program for businesses based in the South Bay. This year’s winners will be revealed at the South Bay Business Mavericks Gala & Grant Awards ceremony taking place on Wednesday, October 19th 2016 at the Toyota USA Automobile Museum. Based on last year’s success, they expect 150 attendees at the gala event, including local entrepreneurs, community leaders and small business owners.
When asked why do the grant awards? ShopLocal.us Founder, Heidi Butzine said, “The Grant Awards program is our way of giving back to the South Bay business community. We know it takes a lot to run your own business. It’s the courage, persistence and passion that drives the small business owners to get out there every day and serve our community. We’re proud to host the Small Indie Business Grant program to honor the tremendous contribution small businesses make to the national and local economy.”
To apply for the Shop Local Small Business Grant Awards please visit: http://www.shoplocal.us/grant/
For tickets or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities please visit: http://bizmavericks.wpengine.com
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