Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanell Hunt.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story really starts with me just being a woman trying to build something of my own while raising my children. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset, and at one point I started a small lingerie business. It was something that made me feel confident, creative, and in control of my own path. I was building it step by step while also balancing life as a mom of four.
Everything shifted when my youngest daughter, Desire, went through a liver transplant. That moment changed my entire perspective. I had to pause everything I was working on and fully step into being a transplant mom. It wasn’t just about business anymore—it was about survival, healing, and being present for her every single day.
That season forced me to slow down and really reevaluate what life looked like for me. It was heavy, but it also gave me clarity. I learned strength I didn’t know I had, and I saw firsthand what resilience looks like through my daughter.
Now, I’m in a space where I’m rebuilding—intentionally. I’m laying a new foundation for my life and my goals, step by step. My journey isn’t just about business anymore; it’s about purpose, stability, and creating something meaningful for me and my children. Desire is a huge part of that inspiration. Watching her fight and keep going pushes me to do the same.
Right now, I’m navigating what’s next, but I’m doing it with a different mindset—more grounded, more focused, and more determined than ever.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. My journey has come with a lot of unexpected challenges and emotional highs and lows.
One of the biggest struggles was having to put my own goals and business on pause when my daughter went through her liver transplant. That was a life-changing moment for me. I had to shift from being focused on building something for myself to being fully present as a caregiver. It was exhausting mentally, physically, and emotionally. There were days where I felt overwhelmed, scared, and unsure of what the future would look like.
On top of that, balancing being a single mom of four while navigating my child’s health journey wasn’t easy. I had to figure things out in real time with very little room to fall apart. Financial stress, lack of rest, and just the weight of responsibility all played a part in making things harder.
There were also internal struggles—feeling like I lost a piece of myself when I had to step away from my business, questioning what my next steps should be, and trying to rediscover who I am outside of just being in survival mode.
But through all of that, those struggles shaped me. They taught me resilience, patience, and strength in a way nothing else could. Even though it hasn’t been smooth, every challenge has played a role in who I’m becoming today.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work has evolved tremendously over the years. I originally built my brand around women, femininity, confidence, and entrepreneurship before life hit me in ways I never expected. Becoming a caregiver completely changed the way I viewed purpose, community, and advocacy.
Today, I’m moving beyond simply creating for women and into advocating for families, especially families navigating medical needs, education, and the systems that are supposed to support them. I’m currently working to bring more awareness and support to families within Baltimore City schools, while also building the Step by Step: Inspired by Desire Foundation into something that can create meaningful resources, connections, and opportunities for medically vulnerable and medically complex children and their families.
What I’m most proud of is that I didn’t allow my circumstances to stop me from creating something bigger. I took what I was living through as a caregiver and turned it into a reason to advocate for other families. What sets me apart is that my advocacy comes from lived experience. I’m not just speaking about these issues, I’ve had to navigate them myself, and now I’m focused on using that experience to help change things.
I’m still an entrepreneur, a creative, and a mother, but I’m also becoming an advocate and a community builder. I’m learning how to move differently, build intentionally, and create work that has an impact beyond me.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I’d say resilience. I’ve learned how to keep moving forward even when things don’t go according to plan. I’m not afraid to start over, pivot, or take my time figuring things out. I think that ability to keep going, while still being open to growth and change, is what’s going to carry me into whatever comes next.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shanell_lux?igsh=M2NscGtkN3M1MW5l&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cz62XmgSV/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@shanell_lux?_r=1&_t=ZP-98j6D4hFtx0
