An interview with Shel Burks
by Gina Murphy | Content Creator & Social Media Manager • 6 min read
We humbly recognize and revere the profound impact of teamwork. Through our unified efforts, we achieve the extraordinary. This ethos begins with our proprietor, producer Shel Burks.
On a summer afternoon, I met with Shel to discuss The Wall Productions’ orgin story, opportunities for women and people of color in the business, and what’s next for TWP.
Shel on-site in South Dakota
Interviewer: Let’s start from the beginning. How did you get started?
Shel: My background is a bit unorthodox. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati, my first job was as a Data Entry Associate with Coca-Cola Enterprises. From there, I was promoted and held various roles, including Project Manager, Business Analyst, Technical Writer, and Instructional Designer. By the end of my tenure with the company, I was implementing systems to automate antiquated processes on a global scale.
Around this time, I became a single mom. I needed to move cities and quickly began to forge my own path. Since I’ve always loved the beauty and fashion industries, I started my own business doing makeup. It wasn’t easy, but it fed my ambitions and kept the bills paid.
Interviewer: From Technical Writer to Makeup Artist… Quite the transition! Tell me more.
Shel: Fast forward a bit, and one morning, I was on set, hired to do makeup and wardrobe styling for a photoshoot with HSN/Frontgate. After finishing my primary responsibilities with the talent, I realized the producer for the project hadn’t shown up, and the DOP (Director of Photography) needed support. I took it upon myself to step in and help out. I try to embody the sentiment, “God wouldn’t have brought this to me if I couldn’t handle it.”
Interviewer: It sounds like producing really satisfies both your left and right brain thinking.
Shel: It does! In that moment, I realized that somehow, at each level of my career and in every aspect of those roles, I’d been preparing for what was to come. I’ve always embraced both my creative and analytical sides. I think that’s why production came so naturally for me—it’s the opportunity to merge the two. Plus, I’ve had a lot of experience as the “middle (wo)man” in terms of business operations and management.
Interviewer: So, what came next?
Shel: They hired me full-time as their in-house producer! I jumped in, I figured it out. This job was a training bootcamp, one hundred percent. Head down, heart open. I knew I had another chance to reinvent myself. It was a hustle, but it was a blast!
Interviewer: Manifestation. Just like that?
Shel: And just like that. (Laughs warmly) No, not really. Keeping it real? I didn’t find success overnight. HSN/Frontgate was my entry point into production and I traveled the world working with them! But for my family, I needed stability; there was a lot of uncertainty in those early years.
When I decided to head out on my own and launch the company, my mom was my biggest supporter. She believed in me, gave me gifts of encouragement and love. After she passed, it was difficult to focus and stay present for quite some time.
Interviewer: How did you persevere?
Shel: My son was my motivation. We needed a roof over our heads and food on the table. Plus, at the time, he had an expensive passion to support! (Laughs warmly again, as she consistently does when speaking about her loved ones.) So I did what I do: I made it work.
Interviewer: Tell me about his passion.
Shel: Oh, I’m a hockey mom! My son Joe played, and he was really good. Like, really good. We traveled all around the country. He was the goaltender, and his nickname was ‘The Wall’ since nothing got past him. That’s how we established our company name. I’m proud to share that it was a 8-year-old boy’s moniker.
Interviewer: That’s incredible. I think I’m starting to understand why this work and this company are so special to you. Would it be a stretch to assume that this is why you’ve made it your mission to support women and other underrepresented groups in the industry?
Shel: Representation matters. I want other women and Black professionals to see and understand: You are not alone. We’re in this together. You can do it. Whenever I can, I want to give those individuals a moment to shine. This industry can be difficult to break into.
Interviewer: Shifting gears to some of your projects, can you share a success story?
Shel: For me, success isn’t a specific time and place. It’s more of a feeling. When the team is tight and aligned, when I feel supported by the crew and vice versa, when we all “remember our why,” and when I’m slightly uncomfortable, so I know I’m still learning… This feels like success.
Interviewer: “Remember the why” ?
Shel: We get to collaborate with some incredible people in this business—and create stunning work. Our “office” is not like most. We are blessed. Practice gratitude.
Interviewer: So then how about a story from when things were not so “successful”?
Shel: Joy is always the intention. When a project doesn’t lead with joy, if we lose focus and forget how lucky we are to be doing what we do, it can feel… unsuccessful.
Interviewer: What do you do in those scenarios?
Shel: My mom, Alma, used to remind me: “Keep the faith. If you believe it, you will receive it.”
Interviewer: Shel, you’ve accomplished so much. In three words, how would you describe The Wall Productions today?
Shel: ALL ABOUT JOY.
Interviewer: And in three words, how would you describe what’s next?
Shel: ALL ABOUT GROWTH. Every day, I’m meeting new people and getting exposed to fresh ideas. I’m excited to see what God has in store for me and curious about what the next chapter will bring.
