We had the good fortune of connecting with L. Shonny DeBouse-Young and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi L. Shonny, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Consistency and dedication to operating any business that I am a part of or start with integrity.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am the community outreach director for Mona’s Heart Outreach. It is an honor to work with other community partners and advocates to provide resources to those in need. I left corporate in 2005 and have not looked back. After leaving corporate my amazing mother and I opened and operated four different makeup retail locations. Our retail locations were in two mall locations and two storefront locations. We successfully operated those until 2010. In 2010 after the death of my beautiful aunt, we started a nonprofit in her honor called Mona’s Heart Outreach. To date Mona’s Heart has helped provide over 7,000 people and counting with nutritious meals through our community partnerships with Tarrant Area Food Bank and DEE Enterprises. Mona’s Heart also provides coats, blankets, winter wear, clothing, socks, and toiletries to the homeless in Tarrant County. We just closed on a huge partnership to provide more resources to the community. Stay tuned for the big announcement! I have had some losses along this journey but I have also had some amazing wins. In business and in your professional life you will experience highs and lows. The thing that I have learned is that through consistency and perseverance you will reach your goals if you do not give up. As a business woman there were times when I wanted to throw in the towel because being an entrepreneur is not a 9 to 5 job. It means burining the midnight oil some days and less time for having a social life. However, if you work hard you will get the time in the long run to play hard as well. Ultimately I learned that having successful business mentors and sponsors will save you a lot of headaches. Every professional starting out should reach out to a mentor or professional sponsor and be open to listening and learning from them. The knowledge and insight I gained in corporate and by being in business for myself has given me the tools and connections I needed to run a successful nonprofit.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting the area I would take them to stay at Hotal Za Za, its really pretty and eccentric. The rooms are beautifully decorated and create a sense of adventure. I would then take them to lunch at Perry’s. They have a porkchop that is delectable. After lunch I would head over to Trinity Groves to my favorite bakery, The Cake Bar and grab my bestie a few slices. Then we would head over to Luxe Touch Medi Spa in Red Oak for some pampering and self care. After some much needed self care we would head over to Willow Bend for some retail therapy. Of course after an afternoon of shopping we need to unwind and relax. Time to head back uptown for some rest. Honestly if we were not in the pandemic I would invite my bestie to join me for a worship experience at my home church Destiny Pointe Christian Center before we head to the airport on Sunday.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout goes to my mother, aunt, and grandmother. They are three of the most consistent and strong women figures I have ever known. I have watched them work and build out businesses that have helped others and provided employment for women who needed a skill or trade. I inherited my relentless attitude to help and serve the community from them. They all taught me to be selfless and to have a heart to anchor anyone in need.

Website: www.monasheartoutreach.com & www.lshonny.com
Instagram: lshonnygodsgirl
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shonny/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shonnydebouse
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shonnydebouse
Other: https://www.facebook.com/monasheartoutreach www.lshonny.host

Image Credits
Mona’s Heart Outreach Media Team

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