Creating Safe Spaces for Creativity and Healing: Shena “Sam” McEachern-Smith Grows New Vintage by Sam
For Shena “Sam” McEachern-Smith, entrepreneurship is rooted in creativity, healing, and connection.
A Morgan State University alumna (Public Health, 2007), McEachern-Smith is the founder ofNew Vintage by Sam. This purpose-driven creative brand blends jewelry design, cultural storytelling, and experiential art through initiatives like The Bead Bar. What began as a personal outlet has grown into a community-centered platform where art becomes a tool for wellness and empowerment.
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“I started New Vintage by Sam as my own safe space,” she explains. “It became a way to express myself and create environments where others could do the same.”
@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 90px;}}The business addresses a deeper need than accessories alone. In a fast-paced and often stressful world, New Vintage by Sam creates intentional spaces where people can slow down, connect, and create something meaningful with their hands. Through pop-ups, workshops, and curated experiences, customers engage in hands-on bead-making sessions that promote mindfulness and cultural appreciation.
Her background in public health informs her approach. McEachern-Smith understands the importance of mental well-being, community connection, and accessible spaces for expression. By merging creativity with wellness, she offers an alternative model of impact — one where entrepreneurship supports both economic and emotional health.
Her time at Morgan State University reinforced her commitment to community-centered work. As an HBCU graduate, she was surrounded by culture, excellence, and collective ambition. That environment instilled confidence and affirmed her ability to create something rooted in heritage and innovation.
@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-2{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-2{min-height: 90px;}}One of her biggest challenges has been building brand visibility while balancing business growth. Like many creative entrepreneurs, she has navigated the learning curve of marketing, scaling production, and maintaining authenticity. Through that process, she has learned resilience and the importance of strategic exposure.
New Vintage by Sam creates impact by redefining how art and entrepreneurship intersect. The brand celebrates individuality while encouraging communal experiences. Customers do not just purchase jewelry — they participate in storytelling.
Looking ahead, McEachern-Smith plans to expand The Bead Bar into a larger experiential concept, potentially including a permanent location and broader regional partnerships. Her vision includes deeper collaborations, youth workshops, and expanded event-based programming.
@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-3{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-3{min-height: 90px;}}For CIAA students dreaming of launching a venture, her advice is clear: build community first. Connect with mentors, learn from others, and don’t be afraid to start small.
“Your idea doesn’t have to be perfect,” she says. “It just has to begin.”
As CIAA weekend celebrates legacy and innovation, New Vintage by Sam reminds us that entrepreneurship can be both profitable and purposeful — rooted in culture, creativity, and care.
@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-4{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-4{min-height: 90px;}}Website:www.newvintagebysam.com
Harold BookerClick Here to See More posts by this AuthorBio ⮌document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',function(){document.addEventListener('click',function(event){const target=event.target.closest('.m-a-box-data-toggle');if(target){event.preventDefault();let authorBox=target.closest('.m-a-box');if(authorBox.getAttribute('data-multiauthor')){authorBox=target.closest('[data-author-ref]')}if(authorBox){const postLabel=target.querySelector('.m-a-box-string-more-posts');const bioLabel=target.querySelector('.m-a-box-string-bio');if(postLabel.style.display==="none"){postLabel.style.display="inline";bioLabel.style.display="none"}else{postLabel.style.display="none";bioLabel.style.display="inline"}const bio=authorBox.querySelector('.m-a-box-bio');const related=authorBox.querySelector('.m-a-box-related-entries');if(related.style.display==="none"){related.style.display="block";bio.style.display="none"}else{related.style.display="none";bio.style.display="block"}}}})});This author does not have any more posts.
