Adapting Her Story As She Goes: A Journey with Shannon Gomes

Episode 1  Season 2, with Shannon Gomes, a trailblazer in marketing and branding, with a storied career in the food and beverage industry. With a heartfelt commitment to women's empowerment and a zest for travel, Shannon discusses her evolution from tech PR to establishing her food PR consultancy. A proud member of Gen X, she explores the unique challenges and strengths of her generation in today's job market. Tune in for a conversation full of passion, purpose, and tips for living a fulfilled life.

• [0:00] - Introduction the diverse experiences shaping her career
• [1:34] - Shannon recounts her professional journey 
• [2:44] - From Sonoma County to the heart of major US cities
• [4:35] - Switching from tech PR to food PR and running her own consultancy
• [7:34] - Leveraging past experiences to succeed
• [9:19] - Gen X in the workplace and their adaptability
• [13:21] - Embracing age and experience in personal and professional life
• [15:50] - Shannon's LinkedIn empowerment series for women.
• [20:53] - The Gomes Guide: a platform for authentic travel experiences
• [24:55] - Finding joy in volunteering and the importance of personal time
• [27:52] - Nonprofit spotlight on the Charlie Cart Project and  recommendation: "The Life Brief" by Bonnie Wan
• [31:32] - Where to find Shannon
• [33:04] - Wrap up  

Connect:

• Substack: The Gomes Guide
• Instagram: @theGomesguide and @goodfoodgomes
• LinkedIn: Weekly empowerment posts and insights on Gen X

Resources:

• The Life Brief by Bonnie Wan 
• Charlie Cart Project 

MUSIC (used with permission)  WOMAN Pe

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Transcript

S2E1 Shannon Gomes

Summary

 Shannon Gomes is a marketing and branding expert who has worked with many different brands and companies throughout her career. She is passionate about promoting women and empowering them to pursue their dreams and goals. She is also a travel enthusiast and has started a platform, the Gomes Guide, to share her travel recommendations and experiences. In her personal life, she finds joy and fulfillment in volunteering and taking time for herself. She recommends a book called "The Life Brief" by Bonnie Wan and a non-profit organization Shannon Gomes, an experienced food and beverage marketer, shares her insights on creativity and marketing in the food industry. She talks about her journey from working in tech PR to representing brands like Haagen-Dazs and the national honey board, and eventually starting her own food PR consultancy. As a Gen Xer, Gomes also discusses the challenges and opportunities of being part of a generation often forgotten in the workplace. She shares her passion for uplifting and empowering women in the industry through her weekly LinkedIn empowerment series.

Transcription

 AMY BOYLE 

 0:00 

 Get ready to kick off season two with a burst of energy and inspiration. Today we're diving into the vibrant world of creativity and marketing with none other than the phenomenal Shannon Gomes. Hailing from the picturesque Sonoma County wine country and now calling the fabulous city of San Francisco home for over two decades, Shannon is the epitome of a dynamic gen-xers, carving her path in the world. With over 20 years’ experience in the food and beverage industry, Shannon's passion for all things culinary and travel shines through in her Instagram accounts. Good food Gomez and the Gomez Guide Shannon is a force for positivity, shining joy and photography, supporting women in leadership roles and advocating for the rebranding of Gen X as The Adaptable Generation. Join us as we embark on an exhilarating journey with Shannon, kicking off season two with insight, inspiration, and a whole lot of phenomenal energy. 

 INTRO 

 0:52 

Welcome to the Speaking of Phenomenal Podcast. I'm your host, Amy Boyle, an internationally published photographer, and multimedia journalist. Since 2018, I've shined a light on hundreds of remarkable stories through the 52 Phenomenal Women project. Spoiler alert we often overlook our own phenomenal qualities. That's why I'm here to share stories that resonate and uplift. Join me in celebrating phenomenal women on this journey. Thank you for being a part of this cherished community. And remember, speaking of phenomenal, you are.

 3s Hi Shannon, I'm so excited to have you on the Speaking of Phenomenal podcast. Welcome. 

 SHANNON 

 1:34 

 Thank you so much. It's such a pleasure to be here, Amy. 

 AMY 

 1:37 

 One of the things I did in season one is I always found the connection between my guests and how I met them, and we have a unique origin story. All of over strawberries have, in fact.

SHANNON

 1:51 

Right? For many, many years, um, I was doing food PR and represented a wide variety of top food brands, beverage brands, and food commodity boards. We met many years ago, um, when I was doing a strawberry event in Chicago. And that's where we invited fellow influencers like yourself to events to really educate people on the nutritional benefits and the growing of strawberries. And I think we just immediately hit it off. Obviously, we have so much in common with our love of travel and, it's just been such a pleasure to get to know you and become friends as well.

AMY

 2:32 

 A quick shout out to MJ Tam, who brought us together. 2s Give me a little bit of a me and everybody else an insight into the phenomenal you. 

 SHANNON 

 2:44 

 I grew up in Sonoma County, California. So beautiful wine country. Um, a mile up a dirt road in the forest. And, you know, I always laugh because it took a half hour to get to high school. I lived that far up, in the woods, but I feel like it really forced me to become such a creative person at a young age. Interestingly, too, because I did grow up, in the woods. Ever since then, I have such a love for big cities. So after, um, leaving Sonoma County, I've lived in some of the top major US cities. I went to school in Los Angeles at UCLA, where I was a theater major, and from there I moved to New York City, one of my all-time favorite cities, and I lived there for two and a half years. I worked at a brand agency there, uh, right out of college. And then for a brief period, um, auditioned, for some off off Broadway plays. But then around that time, I met my now husband, on a trip visiting, in Boston. Um, and then from there, the two of us then moved back to California, where we've been now for the past 22 years and have raised our two kids here who are now teenagers and just absolutely love everything about California, but also, everything about traveling and getting out of your, your bubble and, you know, out of your hometown and exploring your state, the United States and the world. 

 AMY 

 4:21 

 I guess I didn't realize that you had a connection to Boston. Same here through my husband, when you talked about falling into PR and food PR, what attracted to you to that and how did you get into that? 

 SHANNON 

 4:35 

 You know. Well, interesting. When we moved back to San Francisco, um, San Francisco had just had its second tech downturn, right? It was the, the bust of the second.com. We had just moved back, and the economy wasn't that hot when we first moved back here. And, , I needed a job. So, I, , was applying to jobs and got a job at a tech PR firm called Schwartz Communications and started at the bottom as an account coordinator. I had no idea. I'd never been in PR in my life, but immediately learned all the ropes of how to pitch the media and you know, how to secure stories. It was really interesting because I was, I was representing some very high-tech clients. Some of them I really, honestly didn't even understand what they did. But I was able to secure coverage for them and meet a great group of people. And I think just my natural ability of understanding what motivates humans and how people think, it's so much of what public relations is, is just really knowing how to convince people to try a product, um, etc. so I did that for a couple of years and then really realized my true passion was in food. So, I had coffee with someone and said, well, gosh, if you want to do food, you should go work at Ketchum. And Ketchum is a big international public relations agency. Uh, the San Francisco office is very focused on food. I reached out to the head of food and nutrition, um, from the website, Linda Atherton. Um, and I said, hey, I'm really interested in getting into food. I've been working in tech PR, and I said, can I, um, request an informational interview? And she was like, absolutely. And she forwarded on my email and I, you know, the next week went in and met with about five different people. There was no job available. But I think people are impressed when people reach out and do informational interviews because it shows interest and enthusiasm for the role. And then a month later, um, I was offered a job and I worked at Ketchum for about eight years, and that's where I really fell into the world of representing, uh, national brands. Everything from Haagen-Dazs ice cream to the national honey board. I did that for eight years, and then from there I went in-house and did PR for Williams-Sonoma, which was an exciting time, where I met some of the best chefs in the country and the world. We did store openings in New York City, traveled all around. A great experience there. But what I really realized is that I truly loved consumer food. I branched out on my own eight years ago, and I've been a food PR consultant for the past eight years. 

 AMY 

 7:32 

 When you think about that, , how has your experience changed over time and what do you bring personally now when you've when you did this all on your own, like. How did you get started with that? 

 SHANNON 

 7:34 

 Well, the great thing is that from everything you do in life, you take everything you learned, and you bring that experience to whatever position you're doing. Right. I learned so much, definitely working in the tech industry. I learned so much working at a big, large public relations firm and then in-house at Williams-Sonoma. It's a very recognized brand. So, you kind of take all those experiences. You learn how to deal with all different sorts of personalities, which is a very big skill, right? Having people skills. So, I just kind of took all of that information and said, you know what, I can do this on my own. I have all this great knowledge and I know how to bring in clients on my own. And so, I think once you just start believing in yourself and decide, I'm going to do this, and you start slowly spreading the word. As we all know, I've been in PR marketing for 20 something years, but the best marketing and PR is always word of mouth no matter what. Sure, you can have a great media article, but it's word of mouth is what really moves the needle. So once my kind of friends and colleagues knew I was on my own, they were spreading the word like, oh, you should talk to Shannon. You should. And that's all the business that I had for the past eight years was all through word of mouth, not responding to RFPs and other things that big agencies do. So, I think just taking that leap and being like, wow, I can do this! 

 AMY 

 9:01 

When I think of the two of us, we're both gen-xers we both have this great big passion for connecting one another with our greater community. Tell me, we've had multiple conversations about this, about our generation being kind of forgotten. I’d really like to hear more about your take on that. 

 SHANNON 

 9:19 

You know, I think it's interesting. So, Gen X, which we both are, if you look up what the description of Gen X is, it's known as the Forgotten Generation, which is such a shame because we are such an incredible generation. I would love to, um, rebrand Gen X as the Adaptable Generation, because we have seen an experience and adapted through so much change in our lifetime. Um, and it continues to change every day. I mean, we all remember the first time seeing a computer in the classroom. Dial up tone. Remember all that now a days? You know, you and I are doing everything on our iPhones. We're using AI like stuff that we never thought was even imaginable. And here we are really adapting to it. And I think it's interesting because working in the marketing world, the American culture is super focused on youth, right? You know, you want to look young, you want I mean, everyone wants to be young, but I, I kind of feel like we need to embrace who we are and our age because I think life and I'm sure you agree, gets better the older we get, right. We become more of ourselves. We trust ourselves. We speak our minds. We don't care what people think anymore. I mean, we really, truly blossom into our true selves. When we hit, you know, our 40s and 50s and beyond. I've sat in so many meetings where marketing and PR, all they want to do is target the young people, right? For many years it's been the millennials. Well, now millennials are old in their mind, you know, and their late 30s. And it's all about Gen Z which is hilarious because that's my kid’s age. Right. So, I feel there's such a missed opportunity for especially brands to not target Gen X and even boomers as well. First, we are the people with the funds to be able to buy, the products or service or whatever, it being sold and we get it. Just think of the arts and the sports we've experienced and just the cultural shifts that we've witnessed. Gen X has so much to offer. And I've also found it interesting. I'm going through a transition right now where I am looking to leave food PR, which I've done for so many years. And, you know, being an independent consultant was fantastic. But I'm really craving, like we were talking about connection again and being with colleagues and sharing ideas with the water cooler. I have been searching for a full-time role, looking, to join a dynamic organization with great leadership. But I think it's interesting that, sometimes the response is super slow or nothing because I'm sure people, you know, look at a resume of a Gen X or be like, um, when they graduate from college, we are too old too expensive. It's like, no, we're the people that are we have such a rich background and experience and are so committed to diving in and doing the work and not jumping from job to job. And I just think it's such, um, a missed opportunity for so many companies that are looking to hire people that they're kind of ignoring Gen X, which, um, is such a shame because I feel like Gen X right now, we are in our prime. 

 AMY 

 12:48 

 Couldn't agree more. I mean, I went to back to grad school in the last year and a half, and even when I would throw my name in the ring for maybe a different opportunity, a part time or what have you, just how easily dismissed it could be like, gosh, you know, I have the time. I have all the credentials to do this now. And the passion, wouldn't you be the world's best candidate to take on because you're ALL IN versus being so splintered and trying to figure out who the heck you are. I mean, I love I love being 20. I wouldn't want to go back there.

 SHANNON 

 13:21 

And you know what? This is who I am. This is my this is my background. I have such a rich, strong background with many, many experiences and, you know, take it or leave it. But this is who I I'm not going to adjust and try to be perfect. I wish there were more attention being paid. 

 AMY 

 13:38 

 Well, to that end. I mean, how do you envision, like celebrating the impact of bringing Gen X as people who are ready to take on different roles? You know whether it was the pandemic pivot or just a pivot in general, because it's time to change, because we shouldn't have to be one thing for our eternity. You know, that's the cool thing about humanity is we can evolve.

SHANNON

 13:58 

 That's exactly so much of life. And, you know, we talk about this too. In the business world, if something's not working or you're just not feeling it, you can pivot. You can pivot. You know, we're not all in a one track, um, train that's not stopping. You can get off and get on another train and go in the opposite direction. And I think that's the beauty of life. And once we finally kind of tap into what our true talents are and our true passions and keep focus on that and keep consistent, that's where I think the magic happens, right? There comes a point where you just must believe in yourself, understand what your gifts are, because I think kind of the whole purpose of life is understanding what our, our natural, unique gifts are and then sharing them with the world that is so, so important. Each of us are so, so unique, but we need to really trust it, believe in it, and then share it because there's so many people that could benefit from learning from each one of our unique gifts. And again, not everyone will resonate with everyone. But guess what? If you can just inspire one person in this world or help, make a small change that that's your legacy. That's a powerful thing. So, I think when people finally believe in themselves and say, this is what I really, really want to do, and then go for it and not care what other people think. I think a lot of our teens and early 20s, especially we're really worried about what other people think. Uh, we get so trapped in that, um, but once you finally let go of that and believe in yourself and just kind of go and get on a new train, if you'd like. I think there's so much possibility in magic. 

 AMY 

 15:50 

One of the things I think is so cool, I follow in your LinkedIn, and it's very similar in the sense of like uplifting the women that I did through my 52 Phenomenal Women project. But your weekly highlight women's empowerment series, tell, tell our listeners more about that.

 16:04 

SHANNON

 16:07 

 I used to use LinkedIn, like probably as most people do, where it's, you know, you put an update if you have a new job or I used to post my clients press releases, but do people really care? No. I started to notice there's been a shift in the past year or so in LinkedIn, where people are finally just really opening up and being themselves and kind of sharing their mind, and that resonated with me. You know what? I have so much that I could share and offer, but more importantly, there's so many incredible people in my network that I can highlight and spotlight because I, I believe we need to lift each other up, not tear each other down or be competitive. There's space for everybody, but especially when it comes to women. We all know that women make incredible leaders incredible. We are natural communicators. We naturally lead with empathy. We. The list could go on and on, but unfortunately, the world is still dominated by men. There are industries like where I come from in the PR marketing industry. It is. It is very heavily female, which is great, but there's so many industries that need female leaders in this next generation. I feel in the tech industry and in politics. So, in both of those arenas, I mean, obviously there's so many other industries, finance, etc. but, um, I feel, you know, tech continues to dominate our worlds. We use it every day. But its mainly men designing it. And especially you need to have the guts and courage to get involved in politics. I know it can be a tough place. And they dig in your personal life. We need the next generation of leaders to stand up. And, um, it's particularly exciting. I have some friends running for office here in San Francisco on the local level. And that's where change happens on the local level. We must start priming, um, the, you know, future presidential candidates now, but it all starts at the local level. So really, you know, encouraging people. I never used to be involved in politics, but once you start to care and care about your community, um, and find other people that care. Now all I want to do is shout it to the rooftops. People vote for these certain people. And I started a series a couple of months ago on Wednesdays on LinkedIn, where I'd pick a woman from my network, and I'll highlight her and give a brief background on what she does. A lot of people have different products they've launched or books they've written or services that they provide. I do it for no other reason just to uplift other women, um, and shine a light on them, which I think is so important. 

 AMY 

 19:00 

 So, have you seen a shift in, like, what those posts have done? 

 SHANNON 

 19:04 

Yeah. It's interesting because I've had a lot of people just DM me and go, I love what you're doing. Like thank you. Or you know that really your posts are really resonating with me. And but sometimes you resonate with people and that's kind of exciting to see. And I think it also encourages other people to think about, well, let me, let me highlight, um, other women in my network or promote other women. Um, so once you kind of start that, that community builds. I've been talking about women supporting women. I've been talking about the power of Gen X, and then just also just sharing my general thoughts like saw, um, sting perform, um, at the San Francisco Symphony. And he is just phenomenal. Just an incredible talent. In fact, there's one song, right? Um, it was like, gosh, he he nailed it. One of his songs is, um, it's from Englishman in New York. And he says, be yourself no matter what they say. I just think that's such a powerful line. Right. So, I may write about that. I think having the courage to put yourself out there and not care if you get no feedback or response or even negative response, it's just having the courage to try is, where I'm at right now in life, trying new things. I love it/

 AMY 

 20:19 

You know, you're speaking my love language. That's exactly how I look at the world. And it's just so great because I think, you know, when we see something good in somebody, tell everybody. Tell anybody who will listen. Like you said, if it sticks with one person, that's all that matters, that that's enough traction right there. Exactly. It's so exciting. Well, on a completely different but not like tell us a little bit more. I know of the Gomez guide that is now on your Substack. You’ve traveled the world. What are your main goals for that? What is it? How can people find it?

 SHANNON 

 20:53 

 I've been in food for so many years. But my other deep love is travel. I've loved traveling ever since I was a little girl. Um, both of my maternal grandparents were huge travelers. In fact, I own their maps that, um, of the world and the US where they put pins everywhere they went in the world, which every time I walk by it, I'm so inspired. Um, and I remember having dinners with them, and they're like, you need to go visit this place and this place and your lifetime. And I've just always had a love of traveling. So, I want to share that. And I love wherever I travel. I love to travel like a local. I love to enjoy the very best food. Um, not the cheesy tourist stuff, but where the locals eat the real good stuff. And I love to have fun experiences, unique adventures. Do something that's memorable, unique experience. So that's how we travel as a family. I'm kind of the planner of the of all the trips and we really focus on having unique experiences. And I thought, gosh, I was kind of always the go to person. People say, oh, I'm going to this place. Do you have any recommendations? And I would type up an email. Well, now I've kind of turned that into something more. So last year I started the Gomez guide on Facebook and was uploading recommendations and photos that would get, um, great guest posts. And you've done a great one on Chicago. Get friends who actually live in cities or know the space really well that maybe I don't know as well to write guest post, but I just recently launched the Gomez Guide on Substack, and it's such a adjustable, beautiful way to share information. And then people could take a location and just forward it on to someone that say, was visiting, you know, wherever they're going, Paris, etc. I do have big plans for it. I have some exciting guest posts coming up, ranging everywhere from Mexico City to Zurich to New Orleans to Mallorca, like all over the world, but then also really focused on on places all throughout the US. Because I feel like people sometimes when they think of travel, they think, oh, I need to go somewhere out of the country or exotic. Well, our country has so much to offer. I mean, just look at the national parks alone, right? Every state, every county, every city, uh, want to encourage people to get out of their bubble and travel because you realize once you go back to your hometown, wherever you grew up, most people stay there. You don't need a fancy vacation. You could just hop in a car and drive a couple hours and experience a whole new culture a few hours away from where you live. So, I think that is what's going to make people expand their way of thinking, of accepting other cultures and people is you need to get out of your bubble, because guess what? We are all so much more alike than we are different. Um, everyone loves to sit around the table and enjoy good food. There are certain things that connect us, all right? Whether that's food, whether that's the arts. And it's so wonderful when you can connect and make new friends. Traveling. That's, I think, one of the best benefits as well, because I've met so many people, whether we're on a trip and we go on a day tour and then I become Facebook friends with them or an Instagram, and then we're, you know, in touch for life. This is what makes the world a better place and makes it feel connected, which is, I think what everybody wants at the end of the day is to feel connected.

 AMY 

 24:20 

It goes back to your point about if you want to see change, start local and get out of your bubble. Go meet new people. Find what we have in common. Like you said, so many more things in common than not. Especially through the love of food and family. As we're getting close to the end of our time together because we can clearly, we'll have to reconnect. Why don't you tap in briefly into, like, where do you find fulfillment and joy in your daily life outside of pursuing professional goals and family dynamic and all that sort of thing? 

 U1 

 24:55 

That's easy for me to say. It's volunteering. I've gotten really into volunteering. Um, especially because my schedule's been so flexible. Being an independent consultant the past few years, I've really gotten involved in volunteering a lot of different aspects, and it just brings me so much joy and really expands my world and my way of thinking. And I meet so many new people. Um, I have done, um, a very regularly grocery deliveries with my son. We go all over San Francisco and deliver groceries, the S.F. food Bank for people that can't leave their homes, mainly elderly people, and just the interaction and the smiles and the joy that, you know, when my son walks up to the door to deliver those groceries, just that brings me so much joy and it brings them so much joy and nourishment. I've gotten really involved in volunteering at my kid's schools and, you know, doing an international food fair at my son's high school, which is incredible because we have 14 different food booths. Um, and, you know, liberating so many cultures and, um, and people and, um, I think I've been so used to being a solopreneur, doing everything myself. It's really refreshing and exciting to, uh, work as a team with people. So, I would say volunteering definitely brings me joy. Also, you know, I do. I'm such a people person, but I do need my alone time as well to kind of regroup. And I love to go in almost daily walks in San Francisco's Presidio, and I'll just put on my earphones, listen to a podcast or music, and walk to view the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge, and then turn around and walk back. And to me, that is my time where I just. Think and brainstorm and listen and learn. If I'm listening to a podcast and it's a special time for me to have, I think it's important for everyone to have their alone time as well. That brings me a lot of nourishment and joy and just love. I love taking photos, so I'm always taking photos and videos on my phone wherever I go. @goodfoodgomes it where I post my food content. 

 AMY 

 27:31 

That's why we're we're sisters from a different mother. Somewhere in that lifetime. It's like, oh, that's everything I'm in love with as well. And I can say, from firsthand experience that the Presidio walk is like none other. And if ever you're in San Francisco and you connect with Shannon, you must go on this walk. It's breathtaking. You hit on the food bank, one thing I want to do this season is get every guest's opinion on a charity that they really love to promote right now, and even a book that they're reading that's lightinh a fire within them. Do you have any of those you'd like to share with us?

 SHANNON 

 27:52 

I do the book that I'm reading right now that I absolutely love and highly recommend to everyone is called The Life Brief by Bonnie Wan. If you're familiar with the concept of a creative brief. A creative brief is basically distilling a big idea into one sheet of paper where all the elements and then you can bring that idea to life. Well, it's a practice you could do with your own life. And kind of the main question that Bonnie asks, you know, that you're supposed to ask yourself is, what do I really, really want in life? Like really stepping back and be like, what do I really want? And taking the time to do that and to, you know, get messy and just kind of write everything down and all your ideas, get it all on paper, and then that helps you to start getting clear on, you know, definite themes or ideas that keep popping up, keep popping up. And from there, the last step of your life brief is acting and starting it. So, for example, I think of something like the Gomes Guide. I mean, something I've always said, oh, I want to do something in travel. I don't know what it is. And then I just got clear. I love sharing my recommendations and people seem to enjoy them. So why don't I just start this? I'm just starting right now. And you know, I'm learning as I go and will probably continue to evolve. But I highly recommend the Life Brief. You can listen to it on an audiobook or buy it in the bookstores now and then. Secondly, um, a nonprofit that I would love to plug and encourage people to look into further is called the Charlie Cart Project. And this was found in 2015 by my friend Carolyn Fetterman. Carolyn, , used to work at Chez Panisse and used to work at the Edible Schoolyard with Alice Waters. She is just awesome. And she started the Charlie Cart project, as a way to educate kids around the country how to cook. Because unfortunately, we're in the DoorDash generation right now. Learning how to cook is the most economical and the healthiest way to eat, but people just aren't cooking as much, and it's important to educate our next generation on healthy and, you know, healthy ways to eat and how to cook. So, the Charlie Cart project, it's really cool. You should check out their websites, CharlieCart.org. And they basically they have, I think about over 400 sites around the US, but they're mobile kitchen carts that are brought into classrooms, libraries, farmers markets, food banks. This cart has a sink. It has, um, you know, everything you need to cook. And these kids are learning how to cook, and especially in areas that don't have the best options. This is so important to teach our next generation. And there's so many sad stats about how 1 in 4 kids in the US goes hungry that that's just unacceptable. Why in the United States do we have 1 in 4 kids going hungry? So really educating our next generation of how to cook get healthy. I encourage you to check out the Charley Cart org and there is a button if you'd like to donate there. It just helps with all their education and expanding across the country. 

AMY

 31:05 

Fantastic, learning where your food comes from, having access to healthy fruits and vegetables, and knowing that tactile process of making your own food. How rewarding and in sharing love and feeling love can just continue making the world a better place. So, thank you for that. I'll make sure that we list all that in the show notes at the end. And then as far as the fabulous, phenomenal you, where can everybody find you? 

SHANNON

 31:32 

You can find me in a variety of places. Um, obviously, I just launched the Gomes Guide on Substack so you can find it there. The Gomes guide is G O M E S. I'm also on Instagram, @theGomesguide. And then my food one is @goodfoodgomes. Everywhere I go I'm always posting pictures of food. I love it and kind of created a fun community there. So, food and travel, um, if you're interested in either of those, you can find me online and I would love to connect with. You can also find me obviously on LinkedIn. I hope to continue all my Wednesday posts and my posts about the power of Gen X and to sharing overall thoughts on, you know, pop culture to marketing and everything in between. I think, the key thing is everyone finds what their unique gift is and then share it with the world. And you know what? And just share it. Because guess what? You could change just one person's life by sharing that. And that, um, is an incredible legacy. 

 AMY 

 32:37 

 Well, I can't thank you enough for being our first guest of season two. This is exciting. Onward and upward. And yes, we are going to continue to share and amplify and celebrate, these phenomenal women in our lives and in our community and in our world and together we will make the place a better place. Thank you, Shannon!

 SHANNON 

 32:58 

Yes, please. Thank you so much. 

OUTRO - AMY

 33:04 

Thank you for joining us on this episode of Speaking of Phenomenal. Be sure to subscribe, rate, review, and even share the podcast as well as stay tuned for more inspiring conversations. Remember, each and every one of you is capable of extraordinary things. Until next time, take care and remember you are phenomenal!