Welcome back to Spotlight Hustle, where we shine a light on Black women whose stories prove that success is not just about strategy — it’s about soul.
This week, we’re featuring Sheryll Mizell — an accountant turned empowerment coach, speaker, and founder of WakeUP to Your W.O.W.!®. Her story is one of radical reinvention. From surviving Brooklyn’s toughest streets to building a global platform that helps women rise above burnout and embrace their worth, Sheryll reminds us that the most powerful transformations begin within.
Her journey isn’t just about business — it’s about becoming whole.
Feature Story
Growing up in one of Brooklyn’s toughest neighborhoods, Sheryll Mizell learned resilience early.
She was the bubbly girl who loved numbers and music in equal measure — playing classical flute in the school band by day and singing in the gospel choir by night. She was gifted in math and science, so gifted in fact that she skipped a grade and went straight from 7th to 9th.
From the outside, Sheryll was thriving. But on the inside, she carried a secret fear — a haunting premonition that she wouldn’t live past 25.
That feeling followed her for years, until life delivered an unexpected twist. At 25, she didn’t die — but her father did. The same month, a tense encounter with police on I-95 became the moment that changed everything. Sheryll left behind the person she had been and began her journey toward who she was meant to become.
“I didn’t die — I evolved,” she reflects. “I died to who I was so that a new me could emerge.”
From Accounting to Awakening
After returning to college, Sheryll landed a position with one of the top Big 4 accounting firms in the world. The work was demanding — 14-hour days in corporate America — and though she excelled, something inside her knew she wanted more than spreadsheets and audits.
Through mentorship and networking, she started envisioning her own path. Within five years, she launched her own accounting firm. But as she worked with clients, Sheryll began noticing something deeper. People didn’t just struggle with money — they struggled with confidence, with energy, with showing up fully for the opportunities they wanted most.
That realization led her to create Fit For Biz®, a program that goes beyond numbers to explore the mindset behind money. When a client came in seeking millions in funding but carried an energy of doubt, Sheryll paused their meeting. She told her, gently but directly, that no investor would say yes to a version of her that didn’t believe in her own power.
That moment changed everything. It sparked a movement — one that evolved into WakeUP to Your W.O.W.!®, a global platform empowering people to reconnect with who they are beyond the roles they play.
The Power of Reinvention
For Sheryll, transformation didn’t come from perfection. It came from pain — losing her job during the 2009 recession, facing financial uncertainty, and learning to trust that every setback was divine redirection.
She often says her faith is what grounds her. Gratitude begins and ends every day. When life gets heavy, she leans into movement, reflection, and stillness — whether it’s journaling, dancing, or simply walking outside with music in her ears.
Her superpower? Being a neurodivergent high performer — a mix of autism, dyslexia, and just the right amount of ADHD — that fuels her creativity and connection with others.
Sheryll has turned every challenge into a platform for purpose, creating spaces where women feel seen, heard, and safe to evolve.
Building a Legacy of Worthiness
Today, Sheryll is the CEO and visionary behind WakeUP to Your W.O.W.!®, where she empowers high-achieving women and leaders to find balance, embrace self-care, and walk boldly in their worth. Through workshops, speaking engagements, and her upcoming book series, she’s redefining what it means to be “fit” for success — emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
Her message to women is simple yet powerful:
“You are worthy of every opportunity and open door. Burnout isn’t a badge of honor — rest and self-care are your strategy.”
Sheryll’s story is proof that even when life hands you struggle, you can rise with purpose, gratitude, and joy — coffee in hand and music in your soul.
Rapid Fire Round (Fun + Punchy)
- Coffee or tea? Coffee, coffee, and more coffee
- Morning person or night owl? Night owl
- One word to describe this season of your life? Blessed
- Book you love? Who Moved My Cheese?
- Mantra: “I expect something wonderful to happen to me today.”
- Favourite physical activity: Dancing
- Discipline hack: Going for a walk and listening to music
Why We Love Sheryll’s Story:
Because she reminds us that power isn’t about perfection — it’s about presence.
Sheryll turned her pain into purpose and built something beautiful from the ashes of burnout. Her story is proof that faith, joy, and self-worth are the real currencies of success.
Her courage to own her voice, lead with vulnerability, and help other women rediscover their W.O.W. is exactly what the WIDB community stands for.
Join the Movement
The conversations didn’t end at the Summit. They’re shaping the future, and you’re part of it.
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Also, you can follow womenindigitalbusiness — where we celebrate the stories, pivots, and possibilities of Black women who are building brands that shine from the inside out.
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