Shane Shaps
Shane Shaps
Big Voice Social
Owner, Social Media Engagement Agency
Social Media Links:
https://www.instagram.com/big.voice.social
https://www.facebook.com/bigvoicesocial
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-shaps
Website: Big Voice Social
Who is Shane Shaps?
Shane Shaps is the enthusiastic, optimistic, and tenacious founder of Big Voice Social, a social media engagement agency rebranded in early 2024. Known as the "Professional Big Mouth," Shane has built a career on amplifying the voices of brands by creating real, human connections with their audiences.
Her journey began in 2008 when she combined her natural gift for communication with the emerging power of social media, creating an agency that serves as an extension of her clients' marketing teams. With a focus on authentic engagement, Shane helps brands listen to their communities, respond to feedback, and appeal to their customers' needs—all while crafting personalized content that reflects each client’s unique voice.
Shane’s approach is anything but cookie-cutter. By constantly evolving strategies, localizing content, and staying ahead of technology, she ensures every client’s social media presence is dynamic and impactful—all at a fraction of the cost of hiring in-house staff.
Big Voice Social’s commitment? To see engagement through the consumer's eyes, delivering 150% effort and never settling for "how it’s always been done." For Shane, being a "big mouth" isn’t just a personality trait—it’s her superpower, turning conversations into connections that drive results.
If you're ready to take your brand's social media to the next level, Shane Shaps and Big Voice Social are here to make your voice heard loud and clear.
Please briefly summarize your life's journey, highlighting the significant chapters and pivotal moments.
I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and left for college in Florida vowing never to return home. Post-college I lived in Chicago and then NYC and enjoyed a fun and thriving career as a meeting/event planner. In 2002, we - you guessed it - moved to Louisville. We started a family and I began a series of being an entrepreneur. One business led into another and in 2008 I began working in the world of social media as an outsourced voice to the brands we represent. We are still going strong, now as a team of 5. The past chapter has allowed me to work full-time and still be a full-time mom. As my youngest heads to college next year, I'm about to embark on my next chapter as an empty nester.
How many children do you have, and what are their ages?
2 humans (18 and 20), 2 labradors (6 and 12)
What were some of the challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?
Juggling work and life is hard. I've learned that work-life balance never means the scales are even. Sometimes I'm a better company president and sometimes I'm a better mom. Rarely do I feel I've given 100% to both on any given day.
What lessons did you learn about yourself throughout your journey?
I'm a master delegator - but that can also be a fault and I've had to learn how to do better follow-up on behalf of my clients.
How have you been able to prioritize your passion, purpose, and well-being alongside motherhood?
To give myself grace. And over the years, I've been able to verbalize that to those who depend on me for emotional support and attention. Someone else's issues are always bubbling up in my brain, but sometimes I have to push those down and focus on what's happening in my world, right in front of me.
What motivates you to keep going during difficult times?
Knowing that what I do affects the bottomline of the household and while I'm not the main breadwinner of our home, what I do matters and if I stopped doing it I'd have a whole different set of issues (like guilt when I go shopping).
How do you define self-care and what does it look likee for you?
Peloton. HA! But also I am very committed to taking breaks. I try really hard not to check email on the weekend and to take thoughtful time away from the screen. I shut it down at night and prioritize sleep and I am a tv junkie so I watch stupid tv every night to fall asleep
Was there a time when you weren't aligned with your purpose or balancing yourself alongside motherhood?
At one point I was too involved in my kids' school. It was forcing everything related to work to take a backseat, and it showed. Also, it made my kids want me to back off. I learned from that experience and have let my kids be the guide ever since. I really try to stay out of their way, and trust they will make decisions and make mistakes as I did. I'm here if they need me, but I try not to give unsolicited advice.
What changes needed to be made in your life to allow you to live a life where you feel fulfilled?
I enlisted a therapist about a year ago. My husband and I both still have both of our parents which is wonderful, but will bring stressors as the years go on. Right around October 7th I needed help coping with world events and managing being right smack in the middle of the sandwich of being present for my parents and my kids. That's been a gamechanger.
Share a moment of MOM GUILT, and what you do to manage it?
I did not like being a mom of little kids. I felt like they took over my schedule and my "me" time. I resented that I felt that way, but as the years went on it kept getting better. I enjoy my children so much more now that they are independent adults.
What's your greatest Mom Hack that you have learned thus far in your motherhood journey?
Trust your kids. It's that simple. Allow them to make decisions and make mistakes and learn from them. Don't helicopter them. They've got this.
Why do you think it's important for women to share their journeys and inspire other women?
I suffered a miscarriage at 11.5 weeks of my first pregnancy. I thought I was all alone. This was pre-social media. I shared an email with friends just letting them know I was going through something awful. The number of people who shared they had also gone through this, privately, let me feel seen and helped me to know I'm not alone. I think all women need that kind of feedback. Motherhood is lonely - especially when the kids are little.
What is one lesson or piece of advice you would like the community to learn from you?
Don't ever suffer in silence. Whether you pick up the phone and call a friend, or you post on social, or you find an in-person group, know that you aren't alone. And know that it's ok to take breaks and to be better at one part of your life than another each day. It all balances out. Prioritize you.
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