CCEI’s EBV program continues our quarterly Alumni Spotlight series with Shon Barnwell. Shon is currently the proud owner and operator of three entrepreneurial efforts: Shon Barnwell Events produces memorable celebrations and travel adventures; Barnwell Publishing designs and delivers impactful workforce training; and Team Barnwell Properties acquires, rents, and manages residential real estate.
Mehgan Williams, EBV’s Program Coordinator, had a chance to talk with Shon last month and learn more about her passion to provide exceptional experiences for her clients and their guests along with helping companies develop high-performing and resilient team members.
We are grateful for Shon’s ongoing support of the veteran community and for taking the time to speak with us for this interview.
If you have inquiries about the EBV Alumni Spotlight series, reach out to mehgan.williams@uconn.edu to learn more.
Shon Barnwell served in the United States Air Force for 25 years shaping organizations on five continents. She rose to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant – a rank that reflects only 1% of the enlisted force.
Prior to retiring from the Armed Forces, Shon attended her share of events and celebrations and would often learn that clients were not happy with their event planner. Frustrated by the sheer lack of regard for quality service, dedicated support, and the appreciation for the hospitality industry, upon her retirement, she became the solution! Shon started her event management consultancy in 2014, Shon Barnwell Events. To date, she has launched over 350 successful events, managed a budget of $3.5M, and delighted more than 35,000 people.
When asked about her military service, it is easy for Shon to identify what she is most proud of:
“The greatest highlight of my military career was helping others reach their next ‘big thing’ by ensuring workplace culture was safe, creative, vibrant, dynamic, and supportive. I was a champion of and advocate for efficiency, effectiveness, and leveraging the superpower of all team members!”
Shon’s civilian career extended her mission in helping others reach their full potential. During her time delivering on-demand training, workshop attendees would rave about her interactive sessions and ask where they could purchase her book on leadership.
For two years, she responded, “Oh, I will need to slow down and write a book one day.” The group would then respond, “Ma’am, that’s your homework!”
In 2020, with the event business coming to an instant halt, Shon launched a publishing company, Barnwell Publishing. The mission of the company is to provide insightful educational services to public, private, and government agencies. And with her ability to bring out the superpower in all of us, it will come as no surprise that her first book was entitled Leadership Is About Behavior, Not Titles.
Shon’s most recent startup, Team Barnwell Properties, grew from childhood experiences. During her youth in Detroit, Michigan, she lived in a variety of housing — some of the homes or apartments were beautiful spaces, aesthetically pleasing, and structurally sound. However, one bungalow property her mother rented was in extreme disrepair. As an eight-year-old child, she was devastated that a homeowner would rent a house to anyone in such a dilapidated condition.
Team Barnwell Properties is a joint venture with her husband, Andre, also a United States Air Force retiree. They are working to create affordable and quality housing for under-represented groups, single parents, veterans, and elders. They also plan to add a vacation getaway that will provide short-term rental options at 15 cabins in the Lowcountry area of South Carolina.
Shon’s military career definitely prepared her for entrepreneurship.
“It helped me easily relate to the mindset of ‘The 5 AM Club.’ This effort is a morning routine that involves waking up early to focus on personal development and productivity. Additionally, being in the military honed my interpersonal communication skills and my travels to 26 countries gave me great insight of and respect for other cultures. I leverage my background to provide unique and premier services and experiences.”
Shon raised the capital for all three of her ventures entirely on her own. She was able to bootstrap these businesses by cutting anything and everything unnecessary out of her budget along with finding a way to live on one paycheck. This afforded her the ability to consistently reinvest back into her companies and to only take on clients she felt comfortable with rather than being beholden to those who would only bring on more stress.
The greatest challenge she has faced is being willing to trust others to lend their time, talent, and tenacity to help her run the business versus trying to turn every wrench herself.
“In full transparency, burnout forced me to adopt three business hacks: automate, delegate, and eliminate.”
When asked about advice she shares with fellow veteran entrepreneurs, it is clear how much this community means to her.
“Share your dream with people you trust. You will be surprised how quickly new opportunities will come your way. Also, do not be afraid to go your own way! Sometimes, your idea really is better!”
In 2023, the founder and CEO of the Women Veterans Alliance (WVA) nominated Shon for the Department of Veteran Affairs Center for Women Veterans Trailblazers “Women Making a Difference” Initiative; she was also nominated for the prestigious Blacks in Government Meritorious Service Medal in 2024. Shon serves on several boards, along with mentoring emerging leaders, fellow veteran entrepreneurs and their families.