Meet Shamara Noriega | Founder of Kingdom Kismet

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shamara Noriega and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shamara, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The people who support it and the combined love that grows it.

What should our readers know about your business?
It’s funny because I am not yet a mother, but the phases of being one is a perfect way to explain the process of birthing my business. I’m aware that it is an analogy that is commonly used so I’m going to personalize in way that displays what it really means to me.

Phase 1, Bliss in the act of creation:

Kismet, Fate.
One day in deep reflection, I noticed a common trend in my career and even personal life. I was always in the right place at the right time to receive the most optimal opportunities, but why? Was it pure luck or hard work? How did I change the direction of my life and how can I teach or offer that to others? Being raised in a community where educational tools and resources were not being readily offered or available to adolescents growing up created a choice of mindset; Faulter to the circumstances of what you’re provided with or learn how to adapt, overcome, and create new circumstances. Going against the grain was a requirement presented as a choice, but there was only ever one answer. I learned to seek out solutions beyond what was provided to change my circumstances. Whether it was through my career in finance, the entertainment industry, or even retail I made it a point to put myself in a position to find solutions through every experience. The wisdom I gained in opening myself up to learn, opened powerful doors for me, and my desire for growth always prompted me to walk through them. Who you know can get you to what you need to know and what you know can get you to who you need to know. It’s a serendipitous cycle. For example, networking at a charity event eventually became being connected to local organizational leaders, which evolved into being introduced to Mayor Todd Garcia, and eventually being offered opportunities that put me in an environment to have conversations with noteworthy entrepreneurs such as Daymond John and Leigh Steinberg.

That’s when the wise words of a sociology professor began to cross my mind. He said, “if you knew what you needed to do or know to be happy, you’d be doing it already”. “What you need to know is in the minds of the person you brush shoulders with, but never talk to. That’s where your answers lie, because if your friends or family had the answers you were seeking, you would have found it already”. That’s where the idea to create an educational, networking, and supportive platform came about. Here’s the truth, living a successful and opportune life is learning how to separate ego from opportunity. Not everyone was raised with a support system where they can obtain uplifting words of encouragement, a second opinion, insight, tools, resources, or guidance, but that never meant they had nothing to offer. We see it in history’s greatest success stories. I believe everyone you meet is for a reason, season, or lifetime. Everyone has something they are either supposed to learn or teach in life and it’s our personal responsibility to find out what that purpose is to contribute to the growth of society as a whole. Being open to learning from those who were willing to teach and teach to those who were willing to learn without judgement. Another cycle that presents my ultimate message. You get back what you put into the world. I decided to promote and encourage people to help put back hope, solutions, and support into the lives of the people impacting the direction of our future. To plant seeds of growth and sprout with Kingdom Kismet!

Phase 2 Pain in Labor/ Joy in the birth:
I spent time outside of my 9-5 to attempt to bring Kingdom Kismet to life. I sought out help and raised funds to sponsor my first event. It was extremely hard to balance, promote, and create a presence for Kingdom Kismet. I had a tight budget that limited how I wanted to present my message to the world, but I figured i’d hit the ground running with what I knew and figure the rest out along the way. Just to realize my message speaks for itself. My first event was successful, intimate, and filled with love from people who were passionate about spreading the same message. Yes, people who want to support you exists!

Phase 3 Sleepless nights/Postpartum sets in:
Once your baby is born, motherly instincts kick in, your main goal becomes…Keeping your baby alive! I spent a lot of time networking and connecting with people to provide them with a platform to speak their truth in front of Kingdom Kismet’s audience. Planning and sourcing event space, funding, and volunteers. Unfortunately, my health took a turn after a life changing car accident. I had to put my passion on hold. I call this “The Postpartum bathroom scene,” when your baby is chasing you down, you don’t have a minute to yourself, you feel guilty for taking a break, but by God are you tired! As you sneak off to the restroom to reflect on your life and insecurities. Where doubt in your abilities set in and you just cry. A deep sadness on whether you can successfully guide your baby towards the path it deserves to go. Only to be met with 5 little fingers under the door, peeking out at you. This moment was reflected as an opportunity I had to speak at an alternative networking event called Modern Day Wife, the owners contacted me because they saw a video of me speaking about Kingdom Kismet. That’s when I realized a valuable lesson. You know what will follow you anywhere you go? Your heart and my heart is in my business and it has followed me everywhere like your child when you need to use the restroom to show you it’s here to return the love you put into it and even though it’s scary…. It’s going to grow & be strong and healthy and remind you why you’ve been proud. Kingdom Kismet is my heart, pure love, my gift to the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I feel like i’m still rediscovering San Diego myself, but for food I would recommend Puesto, Stake Chop House, Le Papagayo, Red O, and Blue Ocean. I would take them to most beaches, hiking trails, and comedy shows. I’m a really laid back person so depending on who is visiting me, I’d tailor their experience to their personality, and likes/dislikes.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I give all glory and thanks to God. God’s divine intervention in my life provided me with gift of strength, confidence, wisdom, and courage. All of which are aspects I needed to recognize in order to highlight the pure passion, truth, and integrity I have within myself and my businesses. Alongside God, would be my family. My family and friends have been my greatest supporters. Their ongoing love and support uplift me in challenging times to stay focused on the bigger picture and to pursue my passions fearlessly and unapologetically.

Kara, from The Well Community for Women, has been a kind supporter of Kingdom Kismet as well. I appreciate her wholeheartedly. Beyond serving her own lovely mission and purpose in operating a co-space for women and children to work and grow, she also extends her facility to me for events. I am beyond grateful for her ongoing encouragement and support.

A book I will always attribute to any form of my success will always be the Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo. As I grow, the messages within the book change for me. When I was younger, the message I received was to never become complacent in achievements when opportunities present itself. Do not let the fear of the unknown, even after achievement, prevent you from living out or expanding your dreams. The second message I received is abundance is created with mindset not enviroment. Being able to recognize an opportunity in a place of scarcity is a viable tool that can change and influence any enviroment in a positive and affluent manner if done strategically. The most recent message I received is the main message of the book and I believe that was by design. Each portion of the book correlated with a part of my own personal journey. I won’t spoil the ending, but I experienced my “AHA!” moment and found my ever-growing treasure.

Website: KingdomKismet.com

Instagram: @KingdomKismet

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/shamara-noriega-65747325a

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=kingdom%20kismet

Youtube: @KingdomKismet

Image Credits
Solo Professional Picture in black and purple: Dinara @Dinara.Photos Photos of Shamara speaking or interacting in solid purple outfit: @bradycoolingisnotcool The photo of panel and semi-audience photocreds go to: @JDixxPhotography