Meet Shir Shelef | Content Creator & Entrepreneur and Coach

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

Hi Shir, how do you think about risk?
Taking calculated risks is essential to my well being. When I was younger, my parents would always say to me “Try it, whats the worst that happens?” or “If you never try, or you dont ask, you will never know”
For me, I knew all my life that if I did not risk something, there would for sure be no reward.
So how I think about risk now, at 23 years old, is simple;
If I do not try, I will never know.
If I do not ask, the answer will always be no.
What is risky for someone else, may not be risky for you.
Understanding the difference between taking calculated risk, rather than emotional risks, allows for you to actually think of all the possible scenarios that can occur. Lead with your calculations, rather than emotions.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I fell in love with photography when I was just 16 years old, however, my love for social media and helping others grew tremendously in recent years. I traveled to 24 countries by the time I was 20, and had always documented my travels, however, last year, I found that there were people working with brands and traveling and creating content for these places.
Suddenly, I realized that I could combine my love for photography together with Social Media.

I landed my first hotel collaboration with only 1400 followers, and decided to take the year to not focus on growing my following – instead, perfect my craft and work with hotels, properties, establishments and of course with fashion+lifestyle brands.

One thing I found was just how many roadblocks I ran into and different scenarios would come up that truly, no ebook, or anyone I knew was talking about.
So I decided to start talking about it with people around me who were doing the same thing, I got asked if I coach on it… I said Id be willing to! In the last 3 months, I decided to take on 10 new clients to see how their success is, and work with them individually on their goals – social media or not.

Each of them has had major wins. Some came to me with having tried “every single ebook out there and no success” which we then landed a hotel collaboration with a major hotel brand just 2 WEEKS after working together.
One of my clients told me she lost all confidence, and we built it back up after discovering her love for entrepreneurship and wanting her own business.
Another one, simply wanted to learn the steps in order to travel for free.

What was uncovered for me? My pure love of helping people reach their full potential through taking action.
It is the most fulfilling part of my work, helping people find their passion.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
OMG…
Well living in California, I have hundreds of favorite spots… but, if you had one week in CA, I would do the following:

Fly into SFO
Stay at a hotel on Embarcadero or in the Financial District
Go to the Ferry Building and grab some amazing pastries from Magnolia Bakery
Then explore Fishermans Wharf and of course watch the sunset next to the Golden Gate Bridge.

The next day,
drive to Half Moon Bay to visit the Ritz Carlton (which happens to be my favorite property ever)
See all the special plant stores and olive oil stores

Drive back to SF.

Next day, fly to Long Beach Airport.

Sleep in Long Beach.
Next day, take a ferry to Catalina Island and stay the full day there (Be sure to reserve tickets in advance)

The next days, drive along the coast, and split your time between Malibu, Santa Monica.

Followed by if you have any time, you MUST go to the Academy Museum.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My dad who is my biggest entrepreneurial inspiration. My mom who has supported each unconventional decision I have ever made. My brother who continues to be the first person I call to ask for feedback, and my loved ones, who support me.

Instagram: @shirshelef

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shir-shelef-640144178