Today we’d like to introduce you to Shon Battles.
Hi Shon, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey has been anything but easy, but every setback became part of my purpose. I grew up facing trauma, instability, and hardship at a very young age. I became a teen mother at 15 and again at 17 while trying to navigate life without direction, healing, or support. During one of the darkest seasons of my life, I survived domestic violence, homelessness, incarceration, and deep emotional pain that could have completely destroyed me. I often say my life went from the dope house to the pulpit because God transformed my pain into purpose.
One of the most defining moments of my life happened when I was 17 years old and seven months pregnant. I became involved in a situation that changed the trajectory of my future and led to years of probation, shame, and survival mode. For a long time, I carried the weight of poor decisions, rejection, trauma, and feeling overlooked. But even in my brokenness, I never lost my faith.
In 2002, I began praying consistently at 5AM, and that prayer life became the foundation that rebuilt me from the inside out. Over time, I started healing, growing, and discovering who I truly was beyond my past. In 2011, I was ordained as an Apostle, and I began pouring into women, families, and communities through ministry, mentorship, education, and outreach.
Today, I am the founder of The Woman Up Foundation, where I help empower women who have experienced hardship, homelessness, domestic violence, and life transitions. I’m also the author of my memoir, Believing in the Impossible: A Journey from Pain to Purpose, where I openly share my testimony to inspire others not to give up on themselves.
In addition to my nonprofit work, I’ve built businesses in education, branding, beauty, and legal services. I currently help families and small businesses gain access to affordable legal and identity theft protection through LegalShield and IDShield. I’m passionate about teaching people that your background does not have to determine your future.
Everything I do today is rooted in resilience, faith, consistency, and service. My story is proof that you can survive trauma, rebuild your life, and still become the person God called you to be. I’m still growing, still healing, and still building—but now I do it with purpose.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, life will never give you a smooth road. My criminal background held me back for many years. There were doors that closed in my face before people even took the time to know who I was becoming. I battled rejection, shame, financial struggles, homelessness, domestic violence, and seasons where I questioned my worth and purpose. There were times I felt stuck between my past and the future I was praying for.
As a teen mother, I had to grow up fast while trying to survive emotionally, mentally, and financially. I made mistakes, faced consequences, and often carried the weight of being judged for my past decisions. I also struggled with self-confidence because many people only saw my history and not my healing.
One of the hardest parts of my journey was learning how to rebuild my life while still healing from trauma. I had to fight through depression, disappointment, broken relationships, and the fear of failing again. Starting over repeatedly was exhausting, but I refused to quit. I kept praying, working, growing, and believing that my life still had meaning.
Building businesses and nonprofits without major funding or support has also been challenging. There were moments when people doubted me, talked about me, or didn’t support the vision God gave me. But those struggles taught me resilience, consistency, faith, and determination. They taught me how to keep moving forward even when life felt uncertain.
Today, I can honestly say every obstacle shaped me into the woman I am becoming. My journey wasn’t smooth, but it was necessary. It taught me compassion, strength, leadership, and how to inspire others who feel overlooked or counted out. I want people to know that your past does not disqualify you from building a better future.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I wear many hats, but everything I do is centered around empowering people, rebuilding lives, and helping others believe in the impossible. I am the founder of The Woman Up Foundation, where I work to support and uplift women and families who have experienced hardship, trauma, homelessness, domestic violence, and life transitions. My passion is helping people heal, rebuild, and discover purpose beyond their pain.
I am also the owner of Totally Diva 4 U HairBraiding and Weaving, a business I have operated for over 35 years. Hair has always been more than beauty to me — it has been a ministry, a creative outlet, and a way to help women feel confident, empowered, and beautiful again. Through my work as a braider and stylist, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with women from all walks of life, encourage them, and build lasting relationships within my community.
Professionally, I work in education, ministry, entrepreneurship, and legal services. I also help families and small businesses gain access to affordable legal and identity theft protection through LegalShield and IDShield. I specialize in educating everyday people about protecting their families, finances, businesses, and future through legal empowerment and financial awareness.
I’m also an author and speaker. My memoir, “Believing in the Impossible: A Journey from Pain to Purpose,” shares my personal testimony of overcoming trauma, incarceration, rejection, and adversity. Through my story, trainings, mentorship, and outreach, I encourage others to stop allowing their past to define their future.
What I’m most proud of is becoming living proof that transformation is possible. I’m proud that I didn’t allow my past mistakes, criminal background, or painful experiences to destroy my future. I’m proud that despite every obstacle, I kept getting back up. I’m especially proud of the lives I’ve impacted through mentorship, prayer, encouragement, community outreach, and simply being transparent about my journey.
I believe what sets me apart is my authenticity. I don’t lead from perfection — I lead from experience. People connect with me because I’m real about my struggles, my healing process, and my faith journey. I understand pain, survival, rebuilding, and resilience firsthand. I know what it feels like to be counted out, overlooked, and underestimated, which is why I’m passionate about helping others rise above their circumstances.
Another thing that sets me apart is my ability to connect ministry, entrepreneurship, community service, beauty, and empowerment together. Whether I’m mentoring women, braiding hair, speaking to youth, helping a family protect their future, driving Lyft while encouraging strangers, or building community programs, my mission remains the same: to inspire people to believe that their life can still become something greater despite what they’ve been through.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was quiet, observant, curious, and very aware of what was happening around me. I stayed to myself a lot, but my mind was always active. Even as a child, I loved learning, teaching, and sharing information with others. One of my favorite things to do was play “school” with my cousins, and of course, I always wanted to be the teacher. Looking back now, I believe leadership and mentoring were naturally inside of me even at a young age.
I also loved singing and being involved in church activities. I used to lead songs in the choir at church, and music became another way for me to express myself emotionally and spiritually. Church gave me structure, community, and moments of peace during difficult seasons growing up.
Personality-wise, I was protective of the people I loved and very sensitive, even though I didn’t always show it outwardly. I paid attention to people, energy, and situations, which made me mature early in some ways. I loved dressing up, feeling beautiful, and expressing myself through fashion and creativity. I always had big dreams deep inside, even when life around me felt limited.
Although I was quiet, there was always a part of me that wanted to inspire, help, and encourage others. I think that’s why so much of my life today centers around teaching, mentoring, ministry, beauty, and empowering people. Those seeds were planted in me long before I fully understood my purpose.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Dd9ncLFJD/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: Lashandabattles
