Revolutionizing fast-food with a pioneering culinary concept, Shannon Allen is expanding her empire.

Perhaps few have an entrepreneurial spirit as bright as Shannon Allen. As a singer/songwriter and actor in the ‘90s, she was in the popular girl group Shades and acted in several movies, including Girlfight, a Grand Jury Prize-winning film at Sundance Film Festival. Today, she is a mom-on-the-go to 5 incredible children and 3 adorable granddaughters she shares with her husband, 2x NBA Champ & Hall Of Famer Ray Allen.

As the Creator & CEO of grown, a healthy fast-casual restaurant franchise, she has redefined the culinary landscape in South Florida with “real food, cooked slow, for fast people.”

The inspiration stems from her TV show, The Pre-Game Meal, a hit series showcasing healthier versions of tailgate favorites. “My entrepreneurial journey has forced me to be grittier and more resilient,” she says. “Betting on yourself, your ideas and your ability to execute your vision is an unbelievably powerful exercise. The magic is to keep risking, innovating and growing!”

When it comes to giving back, she advocates for Type 1 Diabetes research through Breakthrough T1D, The Joslin Diabetes Center and Diabetes Research Institute (Miami), driven by her son, Walker, who was diagnosed in 2008. She also supports her husband’s non-profit, Ray of Hope Foundation as well as Health In The Hood, Honey Shine, Breakthrough Miami, The Heat Family Foundation, The Dolphin Cancer Challenge, After School All-Stars, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and World Central Kitchen.

Best advice she can offer to future leaders? “Don’t wait for permission to get your idea out of the cage and on to the stage,” she says. “The world is waiting for your voice, your brilliance and your perspective. Let’s grow!”; grown.org.

Words Anja Maltav    |    Photo April Johnston