She was five months pregnant when she lost her job. That moment could have broken her—but instead, it built her.
- Tashara Parker
- Mar 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 14
From Setback to Success: How Sherwanna Livingston Built LLYP Studios Into a Nonprofit Branding Powerhouse
In 2016, Sherwanna Livingston’s life took an unexpected turn. Five months pregnant and freshly laid off from her corporate job, she found herself at a crossroads. The stability she had counted on was gone. But instead of letting the moment break her, she saw it as an opening—a chance to take control of her own destiny.
“I realized that no matter how loyal you are, companies will always prioritize their bottom line,” she shares with Loud Women Lead. “I couldn’t afford to let my future rest in someone else’s hands.”
That defining moment set her on the path to entrepreneurship. Today, she is the founder and CEO of LLYP Studios, a branding agency dedicated to helping nonprofits and mission-driven organizations build visibility and lasting impact. But her journey wasn’t easy—it was built on resilience, faith, and an unwavering commitment to her vision.
Turning Passion Into Purpose
Before launching LLYP Studios, Livingston earned her degree in Public Relations from the University of Texas at Arlington, hoping to break into the marketing and PR industry. But like many new graduates, she struggled to land the right opportunities. To support herself and her family, she took on odd sales jobs while trying to figure out her next move.
When traditional doors wouldn’t open, she built her own. She founded Live Love Your Passion LLC, which eventually evolved into LLYP Studios, offering holistic brand development tailored specifically for nonprofits.
More Than Just Branding—A Full Ecosystem
Unlike agencies that focus solely on logos and graphics, LLYP Studios takes a different approach.
“We don’t just create visuals. We build brand ecosystems from the inside out,” Livingston explains. “Our work aligns internal culture with external messaging, ensuring a nonprofit’s mission is reflected across every touchpoint.”
By centering her work on nonprofits, she ensures that organizations making a difference have the tools to amplify their impact.
Focusing on One Thing: The Lesson That Changed Everything
Like many entrepreneurs, Livingston initially tried to do everything at once. But in 2023, she made a pivotal decision—to go all in on LLYP Studios and strengthen its foundation before expanding into new ventures.
“I was moving in so many directions that I wasn’t actually moving forward,” she says. “Once I committed to mastering one thing, the business flourished.”
That focus led to one of her biggest milestones—graduating from the Goldman Sachs Black in Business: One Million Black Women Program in 2024.
Balancing the intense program while running her business and raising her children as a single mom wasn’t easy, but she made it happen.
Major Wins and Expanding the Vision
LLYP Studios recently landed one of its largest corporate contracts to date, designing logos and websites for a property management nonprofit that provides affordable housing across Texas.
“Our designs will be seen on properties throughout the state,” she shares. “That’s a huge step for us.”
Looking ahead, she plans to expand LLYP Studios’ offerings with:
Merchandise that aligns with the brand’s mission
A digital product suite and online courses to educate entrepreneurs and nonprofits
Social impact initiatives to support causes close to her heart
She’s also relaunching her YouTube and podcast platform, focusing on thought leadership and community-building.
Protecting Energy and Setting Boundaries
For Livingston, success isn’t just about business growth—it’s about sustainability.
She’s firm on protecting her energy, starting with a key rule: No business from her personal phone.
“My assistant doesn’t have my phone, so the only way she can fully support me is if people email or go through our website,” she says. “That boundary keeps me sane.”
She also prioritizes rest, meals, and family time—because she’s learned the hard way that burnout isn’t an option.
“I’ve had health scares from putting work before my well-being,” she admits. “Now, my mantra is ‘I’m not dying for this.’ My health, peace, and boundaries come first.”
Leading Loud and Unapologetically
Livingston embodies what it means to show up LOUD in business and in life. She doesn’t shrink herself to fit into spaces—she takes up space. Her faith is her foundation, and she’s unapologetic about giving credit where it’s due.
“Christ is my CEO. I’ll never be quiet about that,” she says. “It wasn’t just strategy that got me here—it was God’s favor.”
Final Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
When asked what advice she has for other women stepping into entrepreneurship, her response is simple but powerful:
“It’s not who you believe you are that holds you back—it’s who you believe you’re not. See the vision of who you’re becoming and move like you’re already her.”
For those looking to build a brand with purpose, LLYP Studios isn’t just an agency—it’s a movement. And at the center of it is a woman who refused to let setbacks define her, proving that vision, faith, and perseverance can turn obstacles into opportunities.