Today we’d like to introduce you to Shynillia “Shy” Davis.
Hi Shynillia “Shy” , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Picture 38 years ago, at the old St. Paul hospital (currently UTSW) a star was born……which was how my story was supposed to began. Being diagnosed with debilitating asthma, I would spend the early and mid part of my childhood in and out of Children’s Medical Center of Dallas fighting for my life. Between being a bubble kid and spending most of my developing years in the house allergic to everything. These were the years I started setting my focus on where I wanted to go…..first was being outside to smell the fresh air without being agitated by it causing another breathing emergency or sending me back into the hospital. Secondly, conquering that outside world being able to see what was possible outside of East Dallas.
Dallas has always been my blueprint, my identity, as well as the bittersweet city I have grown to love at times and hate at times.
I graduated from Bryan Adams High School In 2005, and with just a high school diploma that i was able to cultivate that into a 16 year career in finance, mortgage, and now property and casualty insurance.
But these things are just the simple basics that one describes about themselves when someone poses the question of how did you start, how did you end up here?
When my son Ja’Shaun who is my life was born is really when my life started…… The reality of becoming a single mom came with its share of its own challenges, a toxic co-parenting situation that started to tear away at the very foundation Dallas has helped me build became my reality.
Years of not only suffering endless legal proceedings, from the hands of someone I thought I could trust, created life with, my very reputation and character as a person as well as a mom became the daily focus. I had to not only co parent with my previous abuser, but also find a way to heal from the years of trauma dealt by him as well as the Dallas County court system. There are so many women who suffer from dealing with co-parenting with a narcissist but are not really able to tell their stories as they are always labeled as the bitter ex, or the angry baby mama.
I wanted my story to be one of caution, but also awareness. Just because you’re nice, you go by the court orders you try to do everything by the book to still end up a victim to a justice system that is often corrupted and not always women and children friendly.
In 2020, a no longer sitting judge named Kim Cooks in Dallas County decided to give a default order that turned my once fighting to survive, raise my son, fight the stigma into a much different reality, My son was removed from my care without the proper channels being taken, resulting in me being wrongfully arrested, humiliated at the hands of others who barely knew me as a person yet alone as a mother. I ended up homeless, and helpless for years, asking God why me? But being a Christian and being raised at The STAR Baptist Fellowship had me looking at those years of abuse at the hands of my son’s father, and other domestically toxic relationships I had been dealing with over the years as not a call for pity but a call to turn my testimony into purpose…..
During living in and out of hotels I was able to acquire my property and casualty license for insurance to not only add another accolade under my belt but it also gave me a fresh wind to fight for myself as well as my child.
See during all those years of domestic abuse and just flat out toxicity I lost the most important part of me, Shy. Not the mom, not the daughter, not the sister, not someone’s ex. But Shynillia, these 4 years that my son has had to live with his father caused me to self reflect, not on where I went wrong but where I was when it was right and being determined to get back to her. My mom and sis as well as others that have loved us along the way was the help I needed to get my determination back and realize……I’m a survivor, from domestic abuse, from the stigmas of single motherhood and proof that you can turn your pain into purpose.
With that license I have now started working with Executive Insurance Agency in Plano, Texas helping Dallas locals as well as all of my Texans with all of their insurance needs, as well as other business endeavors that will be coming soon: lashes, beauty influencer, project management, etc the world is definitely mines.
So when I see that statement of how you got to where you are today, there’s really two answers that will always reign true…..God, because without him I’m nothing, and even though I can’t really describe in full like I want to how my story is going because it’s a story that is still being written, but it is through him you can see in me his grace and his ever present mercy in my life at work. No I’ve never been perfect, but I’ve always been steadfast in wanting to be a better version of myself. When you know better you do better.
The second being my resilience and faith: always believing that no matter what today may look like if you just hold on to knowing that one day all of your hard work will pay off, just remain true to yourself and the God who created you and the possibilities are endless!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Debilitating asthma and allergies that caused my biggest challenges at an early age. I coded blue at the age of 5 almost dying in my late father’s arms, being intebated twice in my lifetime prior to covid. And spending the ages of 3-8 living in and out of the hospital. Years of domestic abuse at the hands of my son’s father as well as other exes whom I trusted to love me and my son. Becoming homeless for almost 4 years, having to live with family and friends on and off throughout the years.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have been a finance professional for the past 16 years specializing in Mortgage, escrow/title work, and now insurance. I am known for providing a concierge experience with all my clients personal as well as business ensuring all their needs get met and that they are not just another number. What sets me apart is I always put myself in others shoes which helps me to create a personalized, tailor fitted experience that they can count on and delivering results that they can count on.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Be patient! I wish I would have trusted the process growing up. Not being tethered to one outcome but knowing that there are several different paths to greatness and God is the best guide in making sure that no matter the road you travel that whatever is for you within your reach will always find you. No matter how long, how many trials and tribulations you may face. You will always end up in the right place at the right time.
Contact Info:
- Email: shy@executiveins.net
- Instagram: @msdavis2512
- Facebook: ShynilliaUndeniableblyMeDavis
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shynillia-d-d-32641678
Image Credits
Photo credit: Shynillia Davis
