Shawna Ellis was raised in Hawthorne, California, earning her Bachelors of Art in Business Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara. She has been in the real estate industry for over 20 years. Before moving to Florida in 2013, Shawna was the Chief Financial Officer for a private real estate development company owned by the founder of Kinko’s, Paul Orfalea and his cousin, Gary Safady. She managed their $800 million portfolio of real estate in multiple states, including California, Nevada, Texas, Illinois, Louisiana, and Alabama. She has spent the last twenty years analyzing investment deals, negotiating business terms and managing a team of over 200 employees.

In 2016, Shawna started a consulting business, S. M. Ellis & Company, helping women dreaming to start a new business find a way to achieve their dreams.  Her mission is to help empower more women to succeed in business, develop financial security and pay it forward. Her company offers short term loans, scholarships and business advice to new female business owners.

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Shawna's largest client in Tampa was Soho Capital, the developer of Armature Works and the 39 acres surrounding the project, with multiple projects in Tampa, St. Pete, Orlando and Pasco County. As the owner's representative, she oversaw and advised on the development, financing, leasing and property management opportunities, sets up new operations for any new business ventures her clients pursues, and she is an advisor to all affiliated business operators as they maneuver through tough business decisions. 

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Shawna is a member of the National Association of Realtors, the National Organization for Women, a licensed Community Association Manager in Florida, and a Notary Public. She lives in St Pete with her two sphynx cats and her goldendoodle Kamala. She is a modest race car driver, budding vegan chef, and an enthusiast for all things vintage.