Shivolli DaSilva, 27, mother of three and ex-fiancée of NBA player Derrick Favors, is creating a legacy for her family. The single mom-preneur opened her first luxury blanket and accessories retail store in Atlanta. S&S Lux, located in Phipps Plaza, showcases affordable, quality luxury for Atlanta’s style-conscious consumer.
Shivolli is excited to bring the luxuriousness and comforts of Minky Couture luxury blankets to Atlanta. As the exclusive retailer of the world-renowned “Minky” blankets, S&S Lux is quickly becoming the go-to destination for blankets and accessories.
Rolling out had got the opportunity to speak with Shivolli about her new retail store, who inspires her on a daily basis to be successful, and her advice to young women on pursuing their dreams.
What inspires you to show up for work every day?
My kids. I am in the store every day around 11 a.m. to speak with employees, talk to customers, and simply be present in my business. My mom was a single mom, and I watched her go so hard to raise me to be a successful woman. The sacrifices I saw her go through motivates me to do the same for my kids. I want them to be able to have a sense of pride in their mother, but also understand the value of working hard and setting goals to achieve.
Who are your role models or mentors for success?
My mother, grandmother and godmother are the people who motivate me the most. In addition, my two best friends — Jolisa Barry and April Booker — also push me to keep moving forward despite the many frustrations and setbacks that come along with owning a business and raising children. As a single mother, it can be very trying. Having a strong support system is key to sustaining a positive outlook.
Being in the mall, Rasheeda, the owner of Pressed ATL, was a source of motivation for me. Initially dealing with mall retail location setbacks, she pushed me to not give up on my dream of having my retail space in the mall. She also provided support in the form of partnership. She collaborated with me on various events and customer engagement programs to promote my business, which sparked a lot of interest around the country.
What does community success look like to you?
From back-to-school events with Wal-Mart to single mom events to blanket drives, I have to give back to the community. Regardless of the position I am in or my achievements, I am still human therefore I experience many of the same daily struggles.
Many people do not know about the many different things I do in the community, and that is ok. It isn’t about everyone knowing all the time. It’s important to touch one person in a positive way. If I reach one person or 100,000 people my goal is to always give back. Without the help of my support team, this wouldn’t all be possible.
How were you able to develop the skills necessary to run your store?
By the grace of God. Managing a family, children and career can be extremely overwhelming. When I feel like shutting down he continues to show me that it is possible and that I am up for the task.
What advice can you give to young women and young women of color?
Put God first with everything, stay motivated and be humble. Be persistent even through your trials. Keep it going. It will not be easy and you will go through many struggles but do not give up.
