Meet Ashaala Shanae | Celebrity Vocal Health Expert and Coach, Christian Recording Artist, Author, Speaker, Mentor, & Mental Health Advocate

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

Hi Ashaala, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The process behind starting my own business happened when I first graduated from college right after the September 11th tragedy. Many of us who graduated with Bachelors and Masters degrees couldn’t get corporate jobs after that time and so it forced me to go into entrepreneurship pretty quickly fresh out of school. It was the best thing that could have happened because it set the tone to where I am today. I knew that I already had a knack for teaching and as I started working with producers in the local area, alot of them would ask me if I gave vocal lessons. Making that connection as I began my career as an aspiring vocal coach, launched me into becoming an in-demand vocal health professional.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The name of my company is called The Music and Arts Healing Institute aka The M.A.H.I.; which is a multi-faceted music and entertainment industry services consulting firm, specializing in providing practical streams to healing, both vocally as well as emotionally; for recording artists, singers, vocal coaches, media personalities, speakers, as well as public figures. The M.A.H.I. offers professional certifiable services and training in Vocal Health and Pedagogy Performance; Voice Instructor Certification; Songwriting Development; Music Business Mentoring; as well as Purpose Coaching for Creatives.

What sets me apart from others is my vast knowledge about the anatomical and physiological aspects of the voice, as well as my ability to passionately teach others how to fall in love and appreciate their voice using my customized curriculum of vocal pedagogy, health and pedagogy performance practicums. I’ve invested over 20 years in this field, and now am able to train and certify other vocal coaches under my professional tenure. I have built a successful Vocal Coaching and Instructional agency, having generated over a million dollars in revenue and currently have more client demand than availability.

I am most proud of seeing the growth and confidence of my clients during and after taking my programs. To see them fully operate in their calling and be educated, equipped and empowered to share their growth with the rest of the world is amazing.

I am also very proud of where God has brought me from to where I am now as a business owner; to begin my company with only $500 left in the bank to now generating a six-figures has been a complete blessing! When I first began my company, I was going through a rough patch as I fell victim to identity fraud and had to work my way back up from nothing. In order to get to where I am today, it took resilience; perseverance; late hours; sitting at the feet of mentors; investing in my own company by leveling up my brand image, programs, content, and marketing strategies; as well as reading lots of books on finance, business, and entrepreneurship.

Because of the challenges I had to overcome, it propelled me into writing about my experience in the world of entrepreneurship, and now I am the author of several books, including “The 4 M’s to Six Figures for Creative Entrepreneurs” and “The Business of Vocal Coaching: 10 foo-proof keys every aspiring vocal coach should know.”; and I am currently finishing up a few other books on Vocal Health and Voice Confidence. I also wanted to help aspiring vocal coaches gain more credibility and integrity in their curriculums and pedagogy, and have also launched an online Vocal Instructor Certification program and M.A.H.I. Pro-Voice Masters Network Affiliate, where I mentor these coaches in the areas of business know-how, curriculum development, teaching proper techniques, and much more.

Outside of being a business owner, CEO, author, and mentor, I also have a passion for singing and composing music, and have a few albums under my belt, including “Healing Songs – Vol. 1” and “Matters of the Heart” which you can find on all online digital outlets. I also run a non-profit called LOVESTRUCK, Inc. which caters to creatives that battle with the challenges of Suicidal ideation, emotional and mental health stressors. LOVESTRUCK Inc. partners with mental health professionals and public figures in the music and entertainment industry to provide resources and aid to those in need of emotional and mental health support within low income underserved areas.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Favorite spot in the city would be Hollywood Beach strip. There are alot of restaurants and live music there. I would also take my bestfriend to Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale to listen to live music at Mangos. I would take her to the Guitar Hotel and hang out at the Hard Rock where there is always something to do. Other spots would include Bayside in Downtown, Miami, and definitely grab some crab legs at Cajun Boil on Flagler. There are so many spots, too many to mention.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shout out every music teacher, spiritual mentor, vocal instructor, and college professor that has ever poured into my professional and personal life as a creative and entrepreneur. I’d especially like to shout out Mr. Harold Malone for being one of the first creative influencers to take me under your wings at seven years old. I owe every piano playing finger placement technique to him. Secondly, Mr. Arthur Sellwood my high school band director and instructor who stepped in as a mentor during one of the most challenging eras of my young music professional life. I’d also like to shoutout, Ms. Margie Webb, my highschool voice and chorale director for being an example of what grace, patience, and the finesse of a Vocal Instructor looks like.

I’d like to shoutout my family for allowing me to spread my wings as a creative being, entrepreneur, and world traveler.
Special shoutout to my grandmother, who was my first music coach and investor into my journey as a musician, singer, and industry professional. Shout out my mother, for leading by example of what it is to be resilient, hardworking, and persistent. My father (who recently passed away), who always believed in me throughout my career and was one of my biggest supporters. Shout out to every current and former client of The Gifted Voice Studios and The Music and Arts Healing Institute. And lastly, special shout out to my godmother, mentor, boss, a legend and the Queen of Miami Soul Music, the late Betty Wright, for taking me under her wings, and teaching me the ins and outs of the music business industry.

Website: www.themahi.com

Instagram: @ashaalashanae

Facebook: facebook.com/ashaalashanae

Youtube: youtube.com/ashaalashanae

Other: MAHI Instagram : @theMAHIprogram MAHI Twitter: @themahiprogram LOVESTRUCK Inc. Instagram: @thelovestruckincmovement LOVESTRUCK Inc. Website: www.lovestruckinc.org

Image Credits
CSL Photography (first 4) LaLa Spears (pic with 2 men)