Story & Lesson Highlights with Shanequa King of Augusta, GA

Shanequa King shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Shanequa, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Right now, my days are a blend of passion, purpose, and hustle. I’m the owner of XAD – Xclusive After Dark, an online brand that offers sculpting wear, lingerie, swimwear, accessories, and apparel. We’re currently in the middle of an exciting rebrand, and yes—Xclusive is spelled without the “E”! Our goal is to create a space where women of all cultures and body types feel confident, sexy, and empowered. You can shop our collection at www.xclusiveafterdark.com

Alongside running XAD, I also serve as the Workforce Development Coordinator at ReNforce, a reentry nonprofit in Augusta, GA Georgia(630 Ellis Street, Suite 2I) originated in Savannah. At ReNforce, I support justice-impacted individuals with job readiness, life skills, and employment opportunities. It’s incredibly rewarding work that keeps me rooted in community transformation.

Outside of my professional life, I’m a proud mom to my 14-year-old daughter, Ken’Nyse, and my son Reginald, who just turned 15 months. I’m also currently pursuing my Bachelor’s Degree in Acquisition and Contract Management at Strayer University—so every day is a balancing act filled with family, education, business, and impact.

It’s a busy life, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Everything I do is connected to growth, empowerment, and purpose.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Let’s talk about XAD – Xclusive After Dark.
My brand was born from a moment of reflection during one of the hardest seasons of my life. In 2018, I was justice-impacted, and while incarcerated, I came to a life-changing realization: I wanted to build something greater than myself—a business that could create opportunities for others, especially those who, like me, faced barriers and simply needed someone to believe in them.

That’s how XAD – Xclusive After Dark came to life. Officially launched in 2021, XAD is more than just an online brand that offers shapewear, lingerie, apparel, and accessories. It’s a platform rooted in empowerment, inclusive hiring, and skill development. I built this brand with the heart of someone who knew struggle but also knew purpose. I saw a need for leadership with empathy, vision, and resilience—and I stepped into that space.

As a mother, entrepreneur, and pillar in the community, I strive to lead by example and build generational wealth—not just financially, but spiritually and emotionally—for my children. I want my kids, and everyone watching, to know that if you can dream it and work toward it, you can do it.

To anyone out there—young, old, or in between—facing challenges or feeling stuck: put your faith in God and keep moving forward. I’ve come to understand that my journey was never meant to be easy. I wasn’t just born to survive—I was born to lead, to impact, and to remind others that our struggles don’t define us. Our rise does.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
Without a doubt, the person who taught me the most about work is my mother, Monica Green. Growing up, I watched her navigate life with grace, grit, and unwavering determination. She was the kind of woman who never gave up, even when life got hard—and believe me, there were hard times.

She taught us how to survive, how to stretch a dollar, how to cook with love, and even how to do lawn care. But most importantly, she showed us that when it feels like there’s nothing left, you can still lean on love—and the belief that anything is possible when you put your mind to it.

My mother battles with the sickle cell trait, which began to affect her body in her early thirties. Even after having both hips replaced, she continued to push forward. Her strength has never just been physical—it’s emotional, spiritual, and deeply rooted in faith. She didn’t have to tell me what hard work looked like—she showed me.

And the most beautiful part? She still continues to be that woman to this day. Her resilience, love, and example are the foundation of who I am and everything I strive to be.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes—earlier this year, in March, I made the difficult decision to close the brick-and-mortar location of XAD – Xclusive After Dark, which was located on James Brown Boulevard in downtown Augusta. I had been in that space for nearly four years. It was more than just a store—it was home. I watched my company thrive there, and I also endured some of my greatest challenges there.

Closing the storefront, even though it was my decision, left me feeling incomplete. I questioned everything. Why would God give me this dream just to take it away? It was heartbreaking. That boutique held so much joy—not just for me, but for every customer who walked through our doors. People didn’t just shop with us; they came back because of how we made them feel. It was an experience.

Losing the physical space almost made me give up. I felt disconnected from my purpose. But in that pain, I found a new question: How can I recreate that same in-person joy in the comfort of our customers’ homes? That became my mission.

So instead of giving up, I poured myself into rebranding and rebuilding XAD online. Now, every step I take is with intention—to bring that same warmth, empowerment, and personal touch into our customers’ lives, wherever they are. That’s my fuel. That’s my “why.”

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
One foundational truth in my life is that everything I’ve been through was necessary for who I’m becoming. I don’t always say it out loud, but I truly believe that every setback, every closed door, every hardship was preparation. It didn’t feel like it at the time—and many moments broke me down—but looking back, they were shaping me, not stopping me.

Another truth I hold close is that God doesn’t make mistakes. Even when I don’t understand the “why,” I trust there’s purpose behind the process. That faith keeps me grounded when life feels uncertain.

And lastly, I deeply believe that love and empathy are forms of strength. Society doesn’t always highlight that, but the ability to lead with compassion, to build with heart, and to still show up after life has tried to harden you—that’s power. It’s not flashy, and I don’t always speak on it, but it’s woven into everything I do.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing? 
What I would regret most is not fully walking in my purpose—not using every gift God gave me to its fullest potential. I would regret not creating lasting impact through my work, not building something that outlives me, and not showing my children what it looks like to push past fear and do it anyway.

I would also regret not giving myself permission to dream bigger, to take up space unapologetically, and to embrace the greatness I know is inside of me. I don’t want to leave this world with pieces of my potential still inside.

Whether it’s through XAD, my work in workforce development, or simply being present as a mother—I know I was born to lead, to love, and to lift others. If I don’t give that my all, that would be my greatest regret.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.Xclusiveafterdark.com
• Instagram: @Xclusive_afterdark
• Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shanequa-king-542a9036b
• Facebook: @Xclusive.Afterdark

Image Credits
Michael Sullivan & Sterling Knight