In Episode 83 of Downtown Depot, show host Austin Meek interviews Shamica Evans. “Shams” is the owner and creator of Waffle Chic. She discusses the struggles she overcame to find small business success and shares the resources that helped along the way. Before that interview, Austin shines the Small Business Spotlight, presented by American Bank, on Clint Trimble of Glass Phoenix.

Inside the Episode:

Show host Austin Meek with Shamica Evans

0:37 - The Small Business Spotlight: Glass Phoenix

5:26 - Shamica Evans’ Waco history

5:51 - Challenging times early on

6:24 - Caught up in world of sex trafficking

7:15 - Getting involved at Antioch Community Church

10:18 - “Now is my time to turn around.”

11:38 - Encouragement from the Stevens’ at Magnolia

14:04 - Helping others sex workers

15:05 - Her experience working at Magnolia

16:45 - Starting a business

18:12 - Winning the Extraco Big Idea Challenge

21:24 - Seeing character instead of color

24:42 - “It has to be a unified conversation.”

25:43 - The Three Cores

28:33 - “Everyone deserves an opportunity.”