Meet Shawnney Mahowald | Herbalist and Feminine Healer

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

Hi Shawnney, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Starting my own business was a bit scary at first. For 12 years, I worked in the nonprofit sector as an accountant. I’ve always heard the call to help people and so ended up getting my Master’s in Nonprofit Organizational Management to that end. So how is that related? The reality was that as much as I felt drawn to help others, I felt that I couldn’t do that how I wanted by sitting behind a desk and crunching numbers all day.

In my early 20’s, I spent some time in the ICU for.a serious blood clot in both my legs and lungs. I discovered that I have a rare genetic blood clotting disorder that nearly took my life. One day I was an athletic 20-something, studying at CU Boulder. The the next day, I was signing a DNR and consent for possible leg amputation. I still have my leg, but I have had some serious nerve issues as a result of several surgeries. The doctors said it was a miracle I was still alive and able to walk, and that changed my life’s perspective. No, I didn’t start my business right away, but every step I took along the way was with the notion of, “I can help other’s, I have to help others.” I wasn’t initially taken seriously when I saw a medical professional for what I thought was just a pulled muscle, and I was told go to Physical Therapy. Obviously, that was not the case. It took me nearly eight years to find someone after my initial hospital stay to help mitigate my nerve issues. The search was long and exhausting to find professional help to manage my health.

As life continued, I got married and adopted my daughter, who is high-functioning autistic (again, I promise this is related!) I started looking into ways to manage my health and hers differently, and took a couple classes on Herbalism. I already was a hobby gardener and plant lover and so it made sense to give it a shot. It turned out to be like a missing puzzle piece that you finally find under the dining room table and my big “aha!” moment. I continued to learn and study herbal remedies and methods that could help manage my blood disorder, and, help my daughter as well. As I continued learning, I knew this was a way I could help my community. Teas, tinctures, balms, salves, natural skincare and haircare all became part of my normal routine. If these things were working for me and my daughter, why couldn’t they work for other unheard voices too? Thus the concept of my business was born!

Why Pink Pixie Botanicals, well, first and foremost, I wanted a way to make all that I had learned accessible. However, as we get older, I think we lose our sense of whimsy, wonder and magic. If you take one step into my house, you’ll see whimsical art gracing the walls, and splashes of color everywhere. I can often be found rocking a silly accessory myself (shout out to my ceramic tooth bolo tie-it mortifies my middle schooler when it makes an appearance). My business was born to fill a need that I didn’t see being met through conventional medicine, but, it also is a reflection of myself. Life can be hard and there are definitely ups and downs along the way, but it doesn’t have to dim our sense of wonder in what the natural world has to offer. My remedies and products play on what it means to hold onto magic. I craft something a little different than what you might see from traditional herbalist, with just a little sprinkle of color and sparkle thrown into the mix. I hope I can provide not only a little bit of physical healing to those who need it, but some emotional healing as well for the inner child in all of us.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a former-nonprofit-finance-professional-turned-whimsical-herbalist, I have a unique perspective! I earned my Master’s in Nonprofit Operational Management because one of my core values is to help others and my community. I feel that those in a position to give back have an obligation to do so. We often get caught up in the day to day and we miss genuine connections, but when you take a moment to hear someone’s story, it may surprise you. This played a part in my pursuit of herbalism along with overcoming personal health struggles and the creation of my own small business brand. I’ve been told I collect people because I want to know everyone’s story and pride myself on being authentic and approachable.

While switching careers later in your adult working life is intimidating, I’m proud of my this pursuit of my passions while not compromising my personal values. My choice in careers has never necessarily been the “traditional route” that a lot of others take and it definitely hasn’t always been easy. I am always learning and believe that we should never stop doing so, even if that is learning isn’t always through formal educational systems. I am excited to see where my future takes me because even through hardships and struggles, I have never given up. One thing I always have kept in mind since spending time in the ICU has been, life is short and we need to authentically live it. There have been moments when I let my own self-doubt creep in, but with determination and perseverance, I can do great things and I have accomplished much already. Pivots happen along the way, but that’s how you learn and grow and adapt.

Pink Pixie Botanicals is near and dear to my heart, because I’ve poured a lot of myself into my products. I also want to give people the courage to pursue their own passions, whether that turns into a full-blown small business or just a hobby. I believe that healing comes in many forms and and nourishing your physical self just as much as your emotional and spiritual self keeps you grounded.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Denver has so many unique and fun spots to check out, and, being a born and raised Denver native, I like to take people to see some of the sights that might not be conventional tourist spots! I really love Spectra Art Space, it’s a rotating art exhibition space so you’ll never see the same thing twice and it really highlights some of the cool and weird local artists around the city. The Golden Mill is a little further out of the city of Denver, but it has a bunch of different food options and pour your own drink options, not to mention the view is to die for. Goldmine Vintage has a unique curation of thrifted finds and records which are always fun to look through and see what treasures you can find. Taking a class at The Terrarium Shop and checking out all the oddities they offer is a fun way to spend the afternoon! The Wizard’s Chest is a weird unique “nerd store” that you can find almost anything in and the castle shop entrance is definitely instagram worthy! If you are able to make it to Colorado in the summer the Renaissance Faire in Larkspur is a must do, just don’t forget to dress up! If you are looking to try an amazing non-traditional or traditional Espresso Martini, The Devil’s Drink is definitely the place to go for a night out. Levitt Pavilion puts on a free summer concert series with various artists for all ages and Sunday’s Jazz in the park at City Park are great ways to spend some time and of course, if you can catch a Red Rocks show it’s a music fans dream. You can also do sunrise Yoga through the summer at Red Rocks which is a magical experience all it’s own!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To my sister Cammey, who is always there when I fail or fall to help pick up the pieces again. It’s the best to have a best friend as a sister and I wouldn’t be where I am without you pushing me to never give up, taking me to all the doctors appointments, and picking up and going to the same college as me after my health diagnosis so I wouldn’t be alone in my struggles.

To my husband David, for always allowing me to be myself fully myself and being supportive when I have crazy ideas. To my daughter Charley, who teaches me how to be a better human being everyday. To my parents for pushing me to be the best version of myself, and last but not least, to my gal gang. Nahika, Dreena, Angel, Megan, Kaitlin, and Alisa and all the other strong women I’ve met along the way that are the best hype women I know. I love you all and am thankful for you all!

Website: https://www.pinkpixiebotanicals.com

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