By Marc W. Polite
Greetings and Happy Friday to all of my readers. This week on Polite On Society, we hear from Cierra Conerly-Sims. In this interview, she shares part of her journey from event planner to author.
Polite On Society: For our readers, tell us who is Cierra Conerly-Sims?
Cierra Conerly-Sims:
First, thank you so much for the opportunity to share a bit of myself with your readers. I appreciate the chance to connect on a more personal level. To introduce myself, I’m Cierra—a child of God, wife, mother, daughter, sister, auntie, cousin, and friend. These relationships are at the core of who I am. Each role has shaped me in different ways, from the nurturing and protective instincts of being a mother, to the unconditional support of being a sister and friend. Family and community are central to my existence.
Personality-wise, I’d say I’m a pretty extroverted individual. I thrive in environments where I can connect with others, share ideas, and feed off the energy around me. That said, I also have a bit of impulsiveness in me LOL. To be honest, “a little” might be putting it lightly! Sometimes, I leap before I fully look, but I think that keeps life exciting and allows me to take chances that lead to personal growth and new opportunities. I’ve learned to balance this trait with thoughtfulness, but I don’t shy away from following my instincts when I feel compelled to do so.
Spiritually, I’m deeply guided by faith. I’m big on being a doer, someone who doesn’t just talk about what they want to accomplish, but takes action to make things happen. Whether it’s in my personal life, career, or community involvement, I believe in being proactive, putting in the effort, and trusting that the steps I take are aligned with a higher purpose.
POS: How did you get into event planning? It is an involved business.
CCS: I got into event planning somewhat organically.It all started when I became the go to person for organizing team gatherings at my job. Initially, it was just something I enjoyed doing, but over time, I realized that I had a real talent for it. I discovered that I’m incredibly detail-oriented, which is crucial in this field. I also found that I have a natural flair for strategic planning and decorating, which made the events not just organized but also visually appealing and cohesive.
As I continued to handle these gatherings, it became clear to me that the skills I was developing could be translated into something bigger, a business. However, I wasn’t sure how to make that leap from a hobby or work duty to a full-fledged entrepreneurial venture. That’s when I turned to my friend Tiffany, who has always been a person for encouragement and wisdom. I shared my thoughts with her, and she immediately said, “If you do it, I will ride it out with you.” That support was the nudge I needed. Her belief in me gave me the confidence to take the plunge, and so I decided to start my own event planning business.
POS: What motivated you to share your stories of triumph in the forthcoming “Women Rising 2?”
CCS: I was motivated by seeing young girls who were experiencing bullying because of their weight, as well as women who were struggling with their confidence and suffering in silence. These situations resonated with me on a personal level, and I felt compelled to do something about it. I wanted to share my experiences and insights to let them know that they are not alone in what they’re going through. It’s important for them to understand that there is a better way to live—a way that doesn’t involve hiding who they are or feeling ashamed of their bodies.
I’ve seen firsthand how damaging it can be when people feel they have to keep their confidence confidential, as if it’s something to be hidden rather than celebrated. My goal is to help them realize that they don’t have to do that. They deserve to live openly, with pride in who they are, regardless of what others might say or think. By sharing my own journey and encouraging others to embrace their self-worth, I hope to inspire these girls and women to reclaim their confidence and live more fulfilling, authentic lives.
POS: Do you have any upcoming appearances for this book launch?
CCS: Not quite yet. A few of the other ladies and I plan on having a book tour soon. We are also planning a virtual book experience this month.
POS: Tell us about your journey from being hesitant to speak up to being a keynote speaker at conferences.
CCS: My biggest hesitation when starting out was this lingering question: “Will people want to hear what I have to say?” It’s something that I think many people go back and forth with when they’re on the verge of putting themselves out there. I’ve always had a big voice and an extroverted personality, so speaking up wasn’t the issue for me. But even with that confidence, there was still this question in the back of my mind, if my stories and experiences would resonate with others, if they would find value in what I had to share.
Despite this hesitation, I knew deep down that my experiences weren’t just mine alone. I believed they had the potential to help others who might be facing similar challenges or who needed a different perspective. I had stories that spoke to overcoming adversity, finding confidence, and navigating life’s ups and downs, and I felt that by sharing them, I could offer support and encouragement to those who needed it. In the end, it was this belief in the power of connection and shared experiences that pushed me to move forward, despite the doubts.
POS: If there is one lesson you want people to gain from your experience, what would it be?
CCS: The one lesson I want people to gain from my experience is that you don’t need to take 20 years to find your confidence. Life is too short to spend so much time doubting yourself or feeling insecure. I want people to use my story as a guide, a tool to help them navigate through those tough times when they’re feeling uncertain about who they are or what they’re capable of. Your confidence is there, even if it feels buried under layers of doubt or fear.
It’s important to remember that while you may have moments where you feel insecure, those moments don’t have to define you. It’s okay to experience them—we all do—but don’t let them become your permanent state of being. Don’t stay in that place of self-doubt. Those moments are temporary, and they certainly don’t dictate the rest of your life. By recognizing that your confidence is always within you, even in the midst of challenges, you can move forward with a sense of empowerment and self-assurance. That’s the message I want to leave with others: Embrace your confidence now, and don’t wait another day to live fully in it.
POS: Is there anything else that you want our audience to know about you?
CCS: I am the most open person and I love to see people thrive. I am excited for anyone who sees this and purchases the book to read it and get at least one take away that is going to charge their life. More information about myself and the book can be found on linktr.ee/sisspeaks.