Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to MaShonna Hughes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
MaShonna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?
As a self-defined creator and visionary, I am often perceived as unique. From my experience, I’ve learned that uniqueness is not always readily accepted or appreciated. As a Black woman, I’ve encountered numerous trials and tribulations that have led to stereotypes, misunderstandings, and assumptions about who I am. Dealing with this lack of understanding can be confusing, overwhelming, and frustrating. Imagine having to constantly redefine and explain yourself in every interaction, tailored to your audience. For most, this can be exhausting.
I realized that I needed to take a different approach to be my true self. While I had a strong foundation for advocating for others, especially marginalized communities, I found it challenging to do the same for myself. I had unwittingly started “playing the game” in the hopes of advancing. Although I achieved success, I still felt something was missing.
I decided that in order to be the best version of myself, I had to consistently show up as my authentic self, regardless of the situation. Being misunderstood used to feel like a burden, but I’ve learned to use it as a source of strength. I consider myself a “jack of all trades” rather than a “master of one.” To me, these traits are gifts that reflect my desire and willingness to learn and explore new things, even if it means that some people won’t fully understand or accept it. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, but I can still approach every situation with love, compassion, and empathy.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Absolutely! I’m MaShonna Hughes, a passionate creator, servant leader, and, most importantly, a woman and child of God on a journey of self-discovery. My vibrant spirit and infectious laughter breathe life into those I meet. I embrace my innate talents and gifts, and through my faith in God, I’m rediscovering my purpose and my role as a vessel for positive change.
On the creative front, I’ve embarked on an exciting entrepreneurial journey with restHERation design. As the founder and CEO, I’ve established a startup that’s proudly Black and woman-owned. We specialize in interior design, home décor, and furniture restoration. However, our mission goes beyond aesthetics; it’s about creating spaces that nurture mental and emotional well-being while fostering a sense of community.
My passion for design has always been a driving force in my life. I have a knack for bringing ideas and visions to life, particularly in the realm of furniture restoration. I’ve breathed new life into pieces that appeared lifeless, reviving cherished family heirlooms and crafting unique furniture with stories to tell.
As our business expanded, we broadened our services to include interior design and home décor. I’ve always been dedicated to serving marginalized communities. Interior design often seems associated with large budgets, but I’ve learned to work with what I have, within my means. When family and friends asked about my furniture and design style, I realized the value of my talents and the opportunity to help others create inspiring spaces, regardless of their budget. This unique approach sets us apart, as we pride ourselves on being accessible to all.
In September 2023, I added another achievement to my journey: I wrote and self-published my first book, “Gracefully Broken, Gracefully Blessed: A New Narrative of Renewal.” This book came at a crucial time when I needed to regain hope. It’s a reminder that faith is an essential companion in life’s journey. Writing this book expanded my artistic horizons and deepened my impact on others by sharing my experiences and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
What I’m most proud of is the way God has chosen me to support and show love to others as well as myself. My creative endeavors have opened new doors, allowing me to connect with many people, whether through furniture and space creation or sharing my testimony. Life is challenging for everyone, and my gifts have given me the opportunity to offer love, compassion, and empathy to those who need encouragement or a glimmer of hope.
Ultimately, what I want potential clients, followers, and people to know about me is my unwavering commitment to authenticity and my passion for making a meaningful impact. Whether it’s through interior design or helping individuals realize their dreams, I thrive on being a problem solver and driving positive change.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
In 2021, I launched my furniture restoration business, and amidst the hustle and grind that characterized the startup phase, I began to experience a shift in my motivation. The initial excitement began to wane as I realized that my drive for success was overshadowing my genuine passion for creating pieces that people would adore. Unbeknownst to me, I had unwittingly fallen into the trap of perfectionism and started to adopt a facade. I found myself inadvertently comparing my journey to others in the predominantly white demographic of the trade I had entered, ultimately falling victim to imposter syndrome. In the midst of my relentless pursuit of excellence, I noticed that my once-thriving passion was slowly unraveling, and it felt as though I had lost a piece of myself in my quest for recognition and belonging.
As a result of these realizations, I decided to take a step back from my business. It was, in essence, an extended sabbatical. I recognized that my business’s foundation had been solely built on the pursuit of success, which wasn’t sustainable, nor did it align with the true values that inspired me to start this venture. During this hiatus, I underwent a process of refocusing and humbling myself. I had set lofty goals and had unrealistic expectations. Looking back, I’m grateful that I had the self-awareness to recognize that something was amiss and the courage to step away to realign with my authentic self. This period of introspection allowed me to meditate on my true desires and how to pursue them in a healthy and balanced way.
When I felt ready to relaunch, the response and support I received far exceeded my expectations. Not only did new business opportunities emerge, but also, connecting with people and openly sharing my personal struggles as both an individual and a business owner fostered a level of transparency that isn’t always readily available. The term “pivot” is often associated with negativity, but in my own journey, I’ve learned that pivots and changes are essential for growth and elevation. They may not always feel pleasant or fair, but if you persevere and have faith, you’ll one day come to appreciate those pivotal moments.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Shortly after the initial launch of my business, I faced a challenging yet necessary decision to temporarily close its doors. The process of relaunching later on presented me with invaluable lessons that have since become the cornerstones of my approach today. Following a successful relaunch a few months down the line, I once again paused my business operations. During this interval, success took a back seat to a transitional phase in my life, notably my decision to relocate from North Carolina to Florida. This significant change meant several things: another temporary suspension of my business, leaving behind the supportive client base I’d built in North Carolina, and venturing into uncharted territory in Florida, where I had no established support network.
Stepping out in faith and starting afresh for the second time, I began the groundwork in Florida. With no immediate opportunities or clients, I found myself armed only with determination and a belief in the positive impact I could bring to the Florida community. I dedicated extensive hours to research, cold-calling, and distributing my business cards, drawing from the lessons I had learned during my initial business launch. To be honest, the early days were filled with moments when I felt like throwing in the towel. However, I remained steadfast and recognized the value in the services I offered. Understandably, I encountered numerous rejections and no responses, but my resilience, honed through life’s successes and failures, kept me going.
Upon my move to Florida and the establishment of my presence, opportunities began to unfold organically. I found myself being offered several TV interviews and forging partnerships with both national and local nonprofit organizations. More importantly, I’ve had the privilege of making a meaningful impact on the Florida community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://restherationdesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restherationdesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mashonna.hughes/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mashonnahughes/
- Other: website: https://mashonnahughes.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/itsmashonna/