Shanya Roberts shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Shanya, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Thank you so much for allowing me to do so. That’s such a great question. I’d say, a typical day for me always begins, at best, with my devotional time—it’s the foundation that sets the tone for everything else. From there, I like to review the plan I’ve mapped out for the day so that I move with intention and focus. Getting some movement in has become a must, whether it’s a refreshing walk through the neighborhood or a quick at-home workout to get my energy flowing. After that, I dive into the tasks I’ve scheduled—whether personal or professional—making sure I’m not just staying busy, but truly making progress on the goals that matter most to me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Oh absolutely! Hello out there. My name is Shanya Roberts. I am 26, single, and joyfully building a life that blends faith, business, and creativity. Professionally, I’m the founder and lead agent of Sapphire Virtual Assistant Services, where I help business professionals—especially those in the real estate niche—streamline their operations and grow their businesses. I officially stepped into the virtual assistant world in 2021, right in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, and it’s been amazing to partner with so many different industries since then.
I’m also an ordained minister and I carry that same heart for service and integrity into everything I do. Creatively, I work as a model and brand ambassador. I have found this to be such a fun and expressive outlet beyond my business life. Not only that, what’s most exciting about my brand is the freedom and possibilities of being a creative entrepreneur. I’ve learned that when you lead with integrity, there are no limits to what you can build. Right now, I’m working on creating a space to inspire other creative entrepreneurs to see that with the right plan, a clear sense of intention, and consistent execution, they really can do it all—and do it well.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I truly believed that my success could only come from following a single, straight path—the one many of our parents encouraged: go to school, earn a higher degree, step into a stable career, and stay there until retirement. For a long time, I thought that was the only way to “make it.”
Now, I see things so differently. Life has shown me that there isn’t just one road to success—there are many, and some are beautifully complex. With a strong work ethic, discipline, and a willingness to adapt, you can create a life of purpose and impact outside of the traditional mold. I’ve also learned that failure isn’t a stop sign; it’s simply proof that you’re one step closer to the breakthrough you’ve been working toward.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has a way of teaching lessons that success simply can’t. For me, those seasons of difficulty revealed the strength of my faith and the depth of my resilience. When everything is going well, it’s easy to overlook the quiet growth happening inside—but in times of pain or loss, you discover what truly anchors you.
Suffering taught me patience and empathy in a way success never could. It reminded me that my worth isn’t tied to accomplishments, but to my character and the way I show up for others. Those challenging moments built a kind of endurance and compassion that now shape the way I lead in business and other spheres of life.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would tell you that my relationship with God, through Christ, matters most. He’s the center of everything I do. This is an obvious area of importance as they’ve seen the various trials I have faced, overcome, and am still working through—some of my most vulnerable moments. They’ve seen how much I care about living a life pleasing to God, even as I navigate inevitable mistakes and lessons. They’d also say that serving in ministry and showing up, not only for others, but even for myself in the entrepreneurial space, is something I hold close to my heart—it’s not just something I do, it’s something that I love.
Family—especially of friends and other loved ones accumulated over the years, is another pillar of my life. Their love and support keep me grounded. My friends would say that I’m deeply committed to being an example, and building lasting success and generational wealth—not just for myself, but to create opportunities and impact that far exceeds me. To my friends, these values aren’t separate—they’re woven together, shaping the way I live, work, and serve.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people remember me as someone who lived with conviction and compassion. I want them to say I was faithful—steadfast in my relationship with God—and that my ambition was matched by integrity. I hope they’ll recall how I was respectful and thoughtful, the kind of person who could be both the life of the party and the one who listened with genuine care.
I’ve never been one to sugarcoat the truth; I believe in standing firmly for what I believe, yet always offering grace and a love that covers shortcomings. Maybe at first glance I seemed like a hard shell to crack, but I’d like people to say that once they really knew me, they found someone soft, sweet, and gentle at heart. That balance—strength and tenderness, honesty and compassion—is the legacy I hope to leave behind.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.SapphireVAServices.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegrowth.coach
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/groups/thegrowthcoachcommunity/?ref=share
Image Credits
Stephanie Philogene (J.A.S. Media & Marketing – Instagram: @justask_steph)
Sapphire Virtual Assistant Services (Instagram: @sapphire.va.services)
