Today we’d like to introduce you to Shardai Thompson.
Hi Shardai, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I began my career in interior design with a simple belief: our spaces shape our emotional lives. Transforming chaotic rooms into peaceful, beautiful environments became both my craft and my calling. Over the years, as my design business grew, so did my understanding that people aren’t just looking for a pretty home they’re looking for a place where they can feel safe, grounded, and whole.
What many didn’t know was that while I was helping others create harmony in their lives, my own world was unraveling behind the scenes. I found myself trapped in a toxic relationship with a narcissist an experience that brought deception, emotional turmoil, and even unexpected legal challenges that shook every part of my identity. It was a period of profound betrayal, confusion, and survival.
My memoir, Betrayal by My Narcissist, is the raw, unfiltered account of that journey. It follows my experience of being manipulated and blindsided, navigating criminal charges tied to his deception, and ultimately finding the strength to reclaim my life. Writing it became part of my healing an act of courage, clarity, and truth.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Although I’m still learning how to survive everything I’ve been through, I’ve discovered that honesty with myself has been the key to reflection and healing. For a long time, I buried my pain just to keep moving. But once I allowed myself to face the truth without excuses, without minimizing, without protecting anyone else’s image I finally began to understand what I had been carrying. That honesty became the doorway to clarity, to rebuilding, and to slowly reclaiming the parts of myself that had been lost.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In my work, I specialize in creating spaces that feel healing, intentional, and deeply aligned with the people who live in them. I’m known for my ability to transform a home not just visually, but emotionally bringing calm, clarity, and beauty into environments that may have once felt overwhelming or disconnected. My design style blends function, comfort, and elegance, but what truly guides my work is understanding the story behind each client and what they need in order to feel grounded and supported.
One thing I’m most proud of is the way my personal journey has shaped my purpose. Having survived a toxic relationship and the chaos that came with it, I’ve developed a unique sensitivity to how our surroundings affect our healing. That experience allows me to design from a place of empathy, intuition, and real-life understanding. I don’t just decorate homes I help people create spaces where they can breathe again, grow again, and feel safe again.
What sets me apart is this combination of artistry and emotional awareness. My clients aren’t just getting design expertise they’re getting someone who listens, who sees them, and who understands the importance of creating a home that supports their peace and transformation.
And that’s also what inspired my book, Betrayal by My Narcissist. It’s a raw memoir about my own journey through deception, crisis, and ultimately healing. My work and my writing share the same mission: helping people reclaim their voice, their power, and their sense of self whether in their environment or in their personal story.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My biggest advice for anyone just starting out whether in business, healing, or rebuilding their life is this: trust your truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. When I first started, I often silenced my intuition to please others or to avoid conflict. I wish I had known earlier that ignoring your own voice is the quickest way to lose yourself.
On the business side, don’t wait for everything to be perfect. Start where you are, with what you have, and grow from there. Consistency matters more than perfection. And don’t be afraid to ask questions, take up space, or take risks none of us had it all figured out in the beginning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://a.co/d/29MQ6MB
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daionedesigns
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allinadaisworkbyshardai/
Image Credits
Book art illustration: Addison Thompson
