Shannon Ferguson: Men Said “Secretary”; She Said “CEO” And The Universe Nodded

Send us Fan MailSome stories knock the wind out of you and still leave you standing stronger. We sit down with Shannon Ferguson, co-founder and CEO of FanSaves, to trace how she built an international sports tech company while carrying complicated grief, the end of a marriage, and the quiet that follows when a big family becomes a small circle. Shannon takes us inside rooms where she was the only woman, where ideas landed only after a man repeated them, and where people asked if she was the secretary. She shares the practical and emotional steps that moved her from “cool girl who adapts” to “CEO who leads,” with an ally who redirected credit and invited respect. We break down what complicated grief really means, why the heaviest wave can hit after year one, and how the “backpack of rocks” metaphor reframes progress: the weight stays, you get stronger.We also dig into Shanifesting, Shannon’s community for skeptics of manifesting. Instead of starting with buzzwords, she begins with self-concept: if you believe you are unworthy, no technique will stick. We explore mindset loops, small daily pattern shifts, and why authentic storytelling is a growth engine for founders. If you struggle to post, pitch, or be seen, Shannon’s advice is disarming and doable: begin where you are, keep the imperfect posts, and let your authentic voice do the heavy lifting.Come for the sports tech journey; stay for the resilience, mindset tools, and honest lessons on grief, identity, and impact. If this conversation moved you or helped you reframe your next step, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help more people find these stories.FanSaves: www.fansaves.comShannon on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ShannonFerguson12Website:  https://www.shannonferguson.ca/If this conversation stirred something in you… good. That’s where change begins.Make sure you’re subscribed, share this with someone who needs it, and if you’re ready to tell your story, step into your voice, or build a life that actually feels like yours… You’re in the right place.I’m Julie Fairhurst, and this is where stories turn into power.Go to my website if you would like to be a guest on the Women Like Me Stories & Business in the toolbar click Let's PodcastJulie's Website