We’re looking forward to introducing you to Shenise Truesdell. Check out our conversation below.
Shenise, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Honestly, it is all the behind-the-scenes work, my marketing designs, logos, apparel and merch, and even the video editing. For someone like me, learning to use different software and apps felt like climbing Mt. Everest in heels. But I did it, and I actually love it.
Those skills may not get applause in the spotlight, but they are the backbone of everything I create. They prove that refinement is not just about how you present yourself in public, it is also about the discipline and creativity you pour in when nobody is watching. That quiet grind is where the magic really happens.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Shenise Truesdell, MPA. I am the author of the fully trademarked Girl, Let Go Or Be Dragged!® A Girlfriend’s Guide book series, a speaker, and the CEO of the Behavior Etiquette Institute (BEI).
BEI helps participants level up in life. That includes older teens and young adults who are just finding their footing, as well as adults ready to refine how they show up in the world. And let’s be real, we can all use a little fine-tuning.
BEI is where etiquette meets real life. It is not just about which fork to pick up, although yes, we cover that too. It is about handling conflict with grace and not losing your cool, mastering the art of communication, and carrying yourself with confidence and refinement no matter the setting.
Our flagship program, BEI Women, was designed with women in mind. It is where we take on self-worth, mindset, etiquette, and life skills all in one space. Women laugh, reflect, and sometimes even cry their way through lessons that are as practical as they are transformative. By the end, they are ready to walk into any room whether the boardroom, the family room, or a first date, and leave an impression that says, “I know exactly who I am.” No explanations required.
At the center of everything we do is Etiquette 101: Be Kind to You First, rooted in Matthew 22:39 — Love thy neighbor as thyself. This principle is also the bridge between BEI and my Girl, Let Go or Be Dragged!® book series. It reminds us that etiquette is not just about being polite to others. It begins with being kind to ourselves. When we stop saying yes to things that drain us, when we stop apologizing for existing, and when we learn to value ourselves first, the entire way we move through life shifts.
BEI is built on the belief that self-worth and etiquette are like muscles. They only get stronger with practice. And when we all learn to flex those muscles with elegance, humor, and a little sparkle, the results are powerful and lasting.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
What breaks the bonds between people? Usually, it’s the little things that add up: disrespect, poor communication, assumptions, or the classic “I thought you knew” moment. Throw in gossip, unspoken expectations, and a dash of ego, and suddenly what was once a bond is no more. From the BEI perspective, when we forget the basics of respect and kindness, relationships, whether at work, in families, or even in friendships, begin to unravel.
Now, what restores those bonds? Here’s where the BEI Way! shines. Bonds are repaired through etiquette in action. And no, I don’t just mean saying “please” and “thank you.” I mean active listening, giving grace, honest communication, and showing up with consistency. Sometimes restoration requires a little humor, too because laughter can smooth over edges that an apology alone cannot.
In short, bonds break when we stop valuing each other’s dignity, undermining each other, and not allowing each other to show autonomy. They’re restored when we intentionally choose kindness, accountability, and refinement in how we treat ourselves and others. The BEI Way! says it best: “Etiquette starts with you, but it’s always felt by the people around you.”
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me survival and how to make do with little to nothing. When resources were scarce, I learned how to get creative. Things I would have normally paid someone else to do, I had to figure out myself. I became familiar with different software, design tools, and apps, and in the process I uncovered skills I did not even know I had.
Success gives you comfort, but suffering gives you grit. It forced me to stretch, to innovate, and to realize that sometimes what looks like a setback is actually preparing you to be self-sufficient and unstoppable. Those lessons became part of my foundation, and they continue to serve me long after the storm has passed.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
Easy. They underestimate the power of social skills and grace. You can have three degrees, a corner office, and a résumé that sparkles, but if you cannot treat people with kindness or resolve a grievance without turning it into World War III, you are getting it wrong.
Too many brilliant minds forget that customer retention, respect, and relationships are not driven by IQ alone. They are built on the ability to listen, to acknowledge, to say “thank you” like you mean it, and yes — to sprinkle in a little grace. In the BEI Way!, we say intelligence without refinement is like serving filet mignon on a paper plate. It may get the job done, but it leaves a lot to be desired.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely. I do that now. My fulfillment comes from executing my ideas, even if people do not catch on right away. I know they will, eventually. The real gratification for me is taking the ideas that live in my head, often extremely unique ones, and bringing them into reality. I cannot even begin to describe that feeling. It is like giving birth to brilliance that no one else saw coming.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shenisetruesdell.com www.bei.social
- Instagram: @girl.let.go
- Youtube: bei.social
- Other: TikTok: girl.let.go
Image Credits
Jamal Bullard JS Creatives
