Meet Shanequa Bonvillain | Advocate, Ally, Board Director, Street Medicine Case Manager, Tutor, Business Owner, Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shanequa Bonvillain and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shanequa, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
During the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic when everyone obtained that cool little covid break I noticed a plethora of new business beginning, especially minority owned businesses, I wanted that for myself because at the time I was a CPS case manager with Fulton County DFCS and burnt out. I never go that covid break and I’m still jealous in 2024. I just so happened to be dating a man at the time who was very educated in business as well as an electrical engineer, yet he was also justice impacted. He of course encouraged me to do anything but the work I was doing at the time. He was developing his real estate business and I wanted to pick up on becoming a loan signing agent to help with his business. Well three girlfriends later and a black eye to my face I ended up starting my mobile notary and NDA service, Bonvillain LLC, with all hopes of success. Being a notary was a slightly slow business but lucrative if time is put into it. I didn’t have much time when I started at a new nonprofit job in Atlanta. A lot of pro bono work was encouraged there but I wanted to be paid for what me and my business are worth. I still enjoy having the convenience of servicing customers at all hours of the night for NDAs but love to build my business first. I had to work on myself first. Going through a DV situation and learning how to become back in control of your own life was a struggle. I lost the capability to manage my emotions, my depression, and completely lost my creativity. I worked at Pier 1 Imports for 5 years and I couldn’t walk into a Home Goods and be awed. That’s when I knew I needed to reconnect with positivity and encouragement.
On my maternal side of the family we never discussed generational wealth and starting our own businesses. The closest thing I’ve seen is my mother’s former catering business and her current business Paternity Testing and Counseling Services of GA that I help manage. My mother was always looking for additional ways to make income. She is one of my biggest inspirations when it comes to hustling and providing.
My dad’s side of the family, who lives in Louisiana were always more business savvy. Getting back to my roots and paternal family has encouraged me to do more. I made a Yeti cup in July of 2023 with my future business name, Magnolia Peach Creations by Shanequa Bonvillain. The encouragement I received from my paternal side of the family to tap into my creativity and make money while doing things I like was the true inspiration. Now I’m in the process of building my online store to open this year.
My family being from Louisiana and myself being born and raised in Georgia is what bought the business name. I wanted to show off my sassy creole ways but put my sweet southern twang on things. In 2024 Magnolia Peach Creations will be arriving with all the spices, t-shirts with life lessons, hats, centerpieces, and more. I want Magnolia Peach to not only be an online retailer but a movement. In the future, I intend on starting a non-profit called the Magnolia Peach Foundation. Our mission will be to assist unsheltered, unemployed, justice-impacted, and illiterate individuals by connecting them to resources and advocating for change in their community regarding various topics.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started my career in retail, where you had to be a tough cookie to deal with people and people’s demons. I moved on to children services after decorating Ashley Furniture and Pier 1 for years to put this degree to work. I some days regret that decision because CPS in Fulton County is not for the weak at heart nor short tempered. I matured immensely from being able to take verbal assault as a greeting and watch a child crumble in your arms from being tired of abuse. It was not an easy job by far, but it mentally prepared me for the real world that I hadn’t been exposed to yet. I grew up in Henry County, south metro Atlanta, the worst thing that happened was cow tipping and traffic to the speedway. The biggest lesson I’ve learned and carried from retail to case management is to patience and focusing on the client’s needs. Being more person centered and utilizing active listening skills has helped me gain a broader understanding of the people I serve in every capacity. I want people to learn not to give up! I’m one of the most creative people but was always scared to voice my opinions or thoughts, fear of failure would taunt my mind. My Magnolia Peach brand is where I’ll finally say I’m not afraid anymore and accept my greatness, I mean Pantone’s color of the year is Peach Fuzz, I’m clearly on the right path if I made my inspo Yeti cup last year!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m slightly a hood booger, so I love showing all the food spots in the West Side area. My favorite two wing places are the American Deli off Campbellton Road and WNB on Fairburn Road. If I could get another invite to Keith Sweat’s home for a pool party that would be dope. It was too cold when me and my aunt last went. He has a gorgeous home with laid back people filled in it. I love walking the beltline to see the beauty of Atlanta and all the wildness that can occur. I would definitely hit Tybee Island for a quick beach get away. It’s one of the most laid-back areas I go to a couple times during the summer to recharge after a long work week. My last two foodie spots are THAT Burger Spot on Wylie Street in Atlanta and Rreal Tacos in Sandy Springs for the great customer service and Birria Pizza. Lastly, I love attending anything in our community that promotes awareness and change. I recently attended Justice Day at the capitol and was blow away but the movement to support justice impacted individuals in all aspects such as housing, employment, education, legal aid, expungements, and so forth. It was beautiful how we were all there to promote change for people (because they are HUMANS) with a disadvantage due to the justice system and capitalism.

For self-care myself and my mother like to paint so we go to Painting with a Twist in McDonough, Ga when we want to bond over creativity.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In all honesty, I’ve always been an amazing case manager, not to toot my own horn but my case management never lead me into the direction of leadership until I worked at PAD. I’ve obtained great knowledge from the company and was thankful for the time I was there. There I built many connections within the city of Atlanta in order to network to help clients obtain their goals and help with their needs. I took these skills right to Mercy Care as a Street Medicine Case Manager where my input into a team effort developed the Georgia Power to provide medical services and case management to client’s who are unhoused.

While still making connections between the two jobs I was able to connect with other justice impacted people and realized there is a whole niche I wasn’t tapped into. I soon met Waleisah Wilson, founder of NewLife-Second Chance Outreach, Inc which I’m on the board of directors for now. NewLife is an amazing organization that helps connects justice impacted individuals who need additional resources for employment, understanding their rights to vote, and advocacy for them so they can access the resources that support freedom, inclusivity, equity and economic sustainability. She also manages the Legal Services for Prisoners and Children’s group, All Of Us Or None- Atlanta Chapter whose mission is to write legislation to stop involuntary servitude (slavery) in the state of Georgia. After watching her short film on YouTube called, “Working in Captivity: A Woman’s Quest to End Slavery in GA” I knew I was ready to make a change in the community and saw how the justice system was continuing this cycle of homelessness and recidivism.
Being in this sisterhood with all these organizations such as S.W.I.M., Living On Purpose ATL, ATL Community Support Project, and Women on the Rise has been the best experience and has provided much growth for me. I have been able to help find my voice through advocating and develop a stronger understanding of community concerns.
Chattrelle Gillyard, Michael Nolan and Tracy Woodard are my current case management inspo for Mercy Care. They have really taken me under their wings to help and be wonderful teachers of this profession.

Website: https://www.nlscoinc.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lil_red_rockstar/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AOUONATL/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6wgJHPwCSg

Other: https://bonvillain-llc.square.site/

Image Credits
Madhousersatlanta, painting with a twist Mcdonough, NawtyWorld, All Of Us Or None, NewLife-Second Chance Outreach, Inc., LSPC