About Shawn | Shawn Shepheard

Who I Work With

There are a few very important things my top clients have in common.

First and foremost, they had the courage to start their own business. They have been knocked down many times, and they keep getting back up – a pattern that typically results in their having a long track record of entrepreneurial success.

They are honest – both with themselves and the people around them. They don’t hide behind BS or bureaucracy. They are curious; always learning and growing.

Perhaps most importantly, they really care about their growth – and the growth of the people who work for them. They invest in their future and their employees’ futures.

They are wholeheartedly committed to going after the life they want, and they create opportunities for others to do the same.

The challenge that I’ve noticed for a lot of these entrepreneurs is that they get to a certain level of success, and then they get stuck.

They realize that they need to start thinking differently if they want to move their business forward. In other words: what got them to where they are isn’t going to get them to the next level.

That’s usually when I get a phone call.

In my career, I’ve been honoured to have a front row seat to some huge transformations in the lives of the people I coach – not just from a business perspective, but personally as well.

In all of these cases, the individuals at the centre of these transformations have been committed to three things: taking action, reviewing those actions, and making adjustments where needed.

These individuals and companies know that the growth is in the doing and the reviewing.

Shawn is proud to work with entrepreneurs across North America, including: Cassidy Paving, Seal A Deck, McSweeney Commercial Painting, Scholar Painting & Restoration, Cole Landscaping, American Construction Corporation (AmCon), Red Nose, Smooth Wax Bar, Success Television, and Sima (Snow & Ice Management Association).

What Others Say About Shawn

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“Shawn was one of our highest-rated presenters at our 2023 show. He was great to work with – tailored his presentation to our audience. Always positive and upbeat in our time of working together. I look forward to working with him again!”

- Cheryl Higley
Director of Education and Content
Snow & Ice Management Association

“Before working with Shawn I didn’t have anyone to keep me focused and accountable on the growth of the business. I am much more focused now on working on the business, and not caught up in the day to day. He is genuine, diligent and has a great strategic mindset, working with Shawn has been game changing.”

– Kevin Cassidy
Founder & President of Cassidy Paving Haverhill, MA

Shawn is a rare gem in the business world. He cares deeply about others and is absolutely committed to challenging his clients to be the best version of themselves. He lives and breathes coaching and is dedicated to excellence. It's such a pleasure to work with Shawn and his network of talented genuine business stars. He calls it as he sees it and his frankness has helped me grow significantly!

- Mark Bloodworth
Founder of Lifeblood Performance
Melbourne, Australia

Founder Story

A few years ago, life was good.

Not great, but good.

I travelled all over North America delivering keynote presentations to sales and leadership teams. Usually, in fancy locations like Las Vegas or those high-end resorts overlooking championship golf courses.

My friends would tell me how lucky I was. I admit, my ego and bank account did enjoy this life.

Two problems though:

1) I had to play within the “rules” of the client. You know, don’t say this, the CEO is in the audience, don’t swear, but make them “feel” good.

2) There was no follow-up or accountability for the audience to make real changes and apply what I was teaching.

I felt a combination of good, “look at me on the stage and having guys holding signs at the airport with my name on it.” and disappointment, I really wanted my work to matter and for people to take action on what I was teaching.

The problem was that I believed this was the ONLY way to get paid.

After 18 years of being in business for myself, I finally had the courage to join a program exclusively for entrepreneurs that already had a level of success.

I was terrified. I was sure I was going to be the dumbest person in the class.

I joined, met some really kind and smart people, and started to feel like I belonged.

One of those people owned a paving company.

After bonding over the love of hockey, beers, and business we became good friends. So much so that he invited my wife and me to fly to his hometown to take in a hockey game together.

Two weeks before the trip, he asked me to share a few pointers on how his sales team could utilize Linkedin.

He wrote down a few notes when I asked him “Would you prefer if I taught them when I come to visit you?”.

He answered with a resounding YES.

Two weeks later I woke up in the hotel before my presentation to the paving guys.

When it hits me, “I don’t know anything about paving!!!”

I panicked. I shared this with Kevin en route to his office.

He responds “That’s great because the last thing I need is another paving expert in my life.”

I start the session by telling the guys that I know nothing about construction or paving, but I know a few things about putting more money in your pockets.

The session went well. Like off the charts well. Like I could show up 100% as me, swearing and all.

Kevin tells a friend, who tells a friend.

I started coaching people in construction and fired all my old corporate clients.

My clients keep growing their companies without working 24/7. They are humble, kind, and eager to learn. I LOVE working with them.

Now, I am proud to say that 100% of my clients are family-owned.

Contact Shawn at [email protected]