Whether she’s guiding young girls to see their inner strength or helping families find the perfect home, North Carolina’s Shonda Smith has made it her mission to change lives – one connection at a time.
As the Founder of “The Queen in Me” Girls Empowerment program, and now transforming lives as an eXp Realty agent, Shonda has spent her entire life helping others find their place – whether it’s in themselves or in their dream home.
A Foundation in Resilience and Education
Shonda’s passion for helping others is deeply rooted in her own challenging upbringing. Despite excelling as a straight-A student, she silently battled personal hardships at a very early age. School became her refuge, with supportive teachers serving as her lifeline. Yet, she knows firsthand that academic success alone doesn’t tell the full story.
“As long as I earned A’s, no one noticed the other A’s I carried – Abandonment, Abuse, and Anxiety.”
This realization fuels her mission to advocate for a holistic approach to education, ensuring that children are nurtured beyond just academics and athletics. Through her work, she equips young girls with the critical life skills and confidence they need to rise as strong, empowered leaders.
“My fourth-grade teacher was the first person to show me love without strings attached,” Shonda recalls. “That year, I knew I wanted to be a teacher, to give others the same support I had received.”
She was also influenced by her grandmother, who was an entrepreneur. It gave her the confidence to start her first salon business at 20 years old, which helped put her through college. Shonda became a kindergarten assistant and went on to educate students as a licensed elementary teacher for 18 years where she recognized a deeper need among young girls – one that extended beyond traditional classroom learning and sports.
Empowering Young Girls Through “The Queen in Me”
In 2018, Shonda founded “The Queen in Me”, an empowerment organization designed to help young girls recognize their inner strength, build confidence, and develop the tools to navigate life’s challenges. Through virtual classes and live workshops, Shonda teaches principles like self-love, goal-setting, and leadership. The program culminates in an annual “Empower Her Crowning Celebration,” a non-competitive event where each girl is celebrated as royalty.
“This isn’t about beauty pageants,” Shonda explains. “It’s about embracing your inner royalty and learning to love and empower yourself, even when no one else around you is doing it.”
Her work in empowerment is deeply personal. “As a child, I wore a mask of perfection through my grades and behavior, but inside, I was struggling. Now, I help girls see their worth and potential, regardless of their circumstances.”
Real Estate and Home Decor: Creating Stability and Beauty
Shonda’s passion for real estate was also rooted in her childhood longing for stability.
“As a young girl, I always dreamed of having a beautifully designed dresser with a hutch and mirror – something I never had because I lacked a room or a home to truly call my own. That passion for decor stayed with me and now inspires the home staging and decor component of my real estate business.”
After purchasing her first home at 28 as a single mother, she made it her mission to help others, particularly single moms and fellow educators, achieve the dream of homeownership.
“Real estate was the key to providing security for my family,” she says. “Now, it’s my joy to help others create that same stability.”
In addition to real estate, Shonda integrates her love of home decor and staging into her business. She provides free redesign services to her seller clients, ensuring their homes stand out and command top dollar. She also assists homeowners in designing spaces that reflect their style and personality.
Joining eXp Realty: A Step Toward Growth
Shonda joined eXp Realty in May 2024, introduced by fellow agent Marti Hampton. She was drawn to eXp’s innovative model, extensive resources, and growth opportunities. Though the transition came with a learning curve, Shonda found support from mentors like eXp Realty North Carolina Regional Growth Director Lisa Kane, who helped her adapt to working as an independent agent for the first time.
“I joined eXp because it offers the tools and systems I needed to grow to the next level,” Shonda shares. “The resources empower me to serve my clients better while continuing my work with young girls.”
A Multifaceted Life: Balancing Business and Family
As a wife, mother of five, and “mompreneur,” Shonda juggles her many roles with grace. From running hair salons in her early years to managing her real estate, home decor and empowerment businesses today, she’s always found a way to balance her professional ambitions with her family life.
“Life and entrepreneurship has its highs and lows,” she says. “But I’m grateful for my family, repeat clients, referrals, and the ability to make a difference in my community.
“I’ve had the honor of guiding numerous single moms in the purchase of their first home and even building real estate portfolios to acquire generational wealth for their children. I’ve assisted several teachers, principals, and even Wake County, NC School Board Council Members achieve the dream of homeownership! Whether it’s guiding families from house to home or empowering a young girl to see her potential, every day in this business is a blessing!”
