"Do not give up on your idea, ever" with Shanda "MANGO" Brown

Wife, Mother, Daughter, Shanda “Mango” Brown is born and raised from New Orleans, Louisiana. She grew up as a competitive cheerleader and professional dancer through College and attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a Major in Business and Minor in Dance. After undergrad, Shanda moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue her Master’s in Arts Management and further her dance career. Living away from home empowered her to learn as much as she could about living a healthy lifestyle physically and mentally. After losing her mom in 2014 to heart disease, Shanda moved home to New Orleans to learn that her community needed her more in the health and fitness sector than she could imagine. This led her to start Domango Training, a lifestyle fitness and wellness company.

What inspired you to start your business?

Domango Training is a Healthy Active Lifestyle company. We specialize in helping people not only reach their health goals but also come up with fun and engaging plans for longevity results. I realized the need for this type of service after losing both of my parents, not just to cancer and heart disease but also to unhealthy eating habits and lack of basic exercise. I was immediately inspired to provide New Orleans services and resources to live healthier and longer.

Where is your business based?

Domango Training is a black owned, small business, in New Orleans, LA.

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

Some of the first steps I took to starting my business was offering free/low-cost classes and training to build up my clientele and  value in the community. As my services gained momentum, I was able to increase my pricing and diversify my offerings. From there I registered my business with the state and became incorporated so I could pursue government and corporate contracts.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

Social Media has been an effective way for me to raise awareness for my business. I focus on the platforms where my audience interacts mainly- Facebook and Instagram. Outside of social media, having a presence at local health fairs, community events, and traditional marketing (fliers, posters, etc.) has been largely effective. Also, New Orleans is a city based highly on referrals so word -of- mouth is a powerful awareness tool here.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

One of my biggest challenges has been differentiating myself from other fitness and wellness businesses. The fitness world is highly saturated. I took the time to focus on who my target customer is  and why/how I serve them. I put all of my energy from execution of service to marketing into that customer and out of it came a brand that can stand out. Domango Training is lifestyle driven instead of results and aesthetic driven. 

How do you stay focused?

I am a true believer of discipline and structure. I consistently start my day with prayer, mediation, and personal development. I believe what we feed ourselves our mind will turn into what our actions and interactions will be for the day. I feed myself positive affirmations and solution based thinking. This keeps me focused. 

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

A lot of fitness and wellness companies focus on aesthetic goals, or solely nutrition. Domango Training focuses on the lifestyle of wellness- fitness, mindset, and nutrition. One main factor that sets us apart is that myself and my team are personal trainers and professional dancers. Our approach to fitness from resistance training to group classes are all sprinkled with a little dance and groove in them.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

 My most effective marketing strategy is promoting sample videos of our classes and attending health fairs where people can take a live demo of our classes. This allows people to interact with instructors, meet other people in our DT FIT FAM, and experience how different our services are.

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

If your idea feels or sounds crazy still do it. Your vision is implanted in you for a reason. Do not give up on your idea, ever.

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

My favorite app is the Daily Bible, it keeps me focused in the Word and helps me learn scripture according to where I am in my life. I can not  live without the Satya Sage Blog. It is owned by an amazing woman, Son-ja Haile, who covers everything from Mantras to “How to Make Bath Time Scared.” This blog helps me take my self-care to another level. My favorite book is The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. It simply and beautifully lays out a few principles that can help anyone lead a more peaceful life when it comes to interacting with others.

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

Accelerator programs and community groups/forums are my favorite tools to utilize. Being an entrepreneur can become a lonely journey. These resources allow for you to connect with others as well as share and gain access to programs that will allow you to take your business to the next level. 

Who is your business role model? Why?

My business role model is Dr. Rochelle Dunham. She is the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Human Services District here in New Orleans. She is in a place where I hope to be one day. A balanced life between a successful career, pillar of the community,  healthy marriage, solid motherhood, and blossoming friendships. 

How do you balance work and life?

I believe in a time called “no matter what.” This is where I make time in my schedule daily and weekly to pray, workout, and meditate. I also make “no matter what time” for brunch with my friends, getting my hair done, or anything else that is for me.

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

My favorite way to decompress is to workout or do something to pamper myself- nails done, long bath, etc.

What do you have planned for the next six months?

 For the next six months I plan to launch a virtual platform where people are able to access my classes and services online. I will be executing marketing and ironing out kinks technically for the online platform.

How can our readers connect with you?

You can find me on:

Instagram: @shanda1922

Facebook: Shanda Domango Brown

Website: www.domangotraining.com