Jermail Shelton: Fatherhood on Purpose
Entrepreneurship is a unique challenge all on its own. But adding in the responsibilities of fatherhood and being a husband can make things a little more complex, even for the most seasoned entrepreneur-father-husband “triple threats.” Yet, Jermail Shelton functions in these roles almost effortlessly and, most importantly, joyously.
Jermail is a 2019 graduate of the Village Micro Fund Flourish Fellowship and is one half of the dynamic leadership team of just add honey, one of the dopest tea shops in Atlanta, alongside his wife and fellow Village graduate, Brandi. He is the proud father of two boys and loves his job. But it’s not his role at just add honey that gives him his “why” for waking up every day. It’s his role as a father and a husband, and that is what he cherishes above all else.
As a father, Jermail understands that he and his wife’s entrepreneurial journey is about more than just accumulating accolades and praises. For him, it’s about creating a foundation and a legacy upon which his children can build. He understands that he is setting an example for Black boys on how to become strong Black men and that these precious moments he has with his boys won’t last forever. That’s why he wants to make them count.
Entrepreneurship, for the Sheltons, is a family affair. The boys help with everything and know every part of the business, especially Jermail’s oldest son, William. “William is a chip off the old block,” Jermail said. “He is a natural-born salesman, and he does it effortlessly.” Although a naturally gifted young man, 13-year-old William is becoming a business savant in real-time, not because of what he’s learned at a university, but from what he’s learned at home with Dad and from on-the-ground, real-world experience in the marketplace. Elaborating on this point, Jermail went on to say, “[It’s largely because] he’s been inside this space since he was born.”
Jermail’s intentionality as a present-father who consistently shows up for his sons at home, school, and work is paying off. However, a busy man like Jermail doesn’t just wake up one day and suddenly become Father of the Year. He constantly seeks ways to grow, confront his past, and make changes that make him a better father, husband, business partner, and friend.
He finds time to focus on the inner work that is often neglected in our communities and puts his energy towards rediscovering himself. Day after day, he challenges notions and ideals that no longer serve his higher self and confronts the challenging portions of his past so that he can show up as his whole self for the present and the future. Deep in his heart, he believes he owes that to himself, his wife, and his sons.
This Father’s Day, we salute Jermail for being a sterling example of a Black father that is successfully pursuing entrepreneurial excellence and is making it a family affair.
Suppose you, or a father you know, are looking for an opportunity to become a well-rounded entrepreneur and are ready to make your small business dreams flourish. In that case, we’d like to invite you to apply for our upcoming Fall 2022 Flourish Fellowship cohort. Applications are open from June 16 through July 4.