Locked in for 2026

2026 energy.

Things No One Tells you about being a founder

Change is a gift. Read that again.

Worth it.

Hope it works out #founder #businessowner

What I’d do differently if starting my business today

2025 nearly broke me. Candidly, some days it did. I am so beyond grateful for all the systems I had in place going into last year between friends/family, the gym & healthy eating, and therapy — without which I know it could have been so much worse. But this year I’m not only coming back to me to get my spark back but I’m going to end this year the most joyous I’ve ever been. #2026 #founder

Welcome to 2016

Part 3 of finally renovating the hallway that sat unfinished for THREE YEARS 😅 Today’s project: faux lime washing. And let me tell you… this is one of those projects that looks really simple on the internet, but was slightly more frustrating in real life. Mostly because I had to make more than one trip to the paint store to get the colors right. That said…once you actually pick the right colors, the process itself is pretty quick and very doable. I knocked this out in an afternoon and spent under $40 total. Big impact for a small budget… with a few caveats. I’m not 100% sold yet and I need your opinions. Should I add one more layer in a darker color? If you’re thinking about trying faux lime wash yourself, here’s what you actually need: ✔️ Two quart-size paints in the same color family (one lighter, one darker) ✔️ A large, wide brush (6” is what I used) ✔️ A paint tray with a divider so you can dip into both colors at once ✔️ Patience for color testing before you commit Once the colors are right, this is absolutely a project you can do solo in an afternoon — and it can make a HUGE difference. I already know I want to try it again with darker tones because now I’m officially intrigued. Stay tuned for part 4 #fauxlimewash #limewash #diyproject #homerenovation #beforeandafter @Benjamin Moore @Lindzi Shanks

Such a great conversation with @TheCreativeBrandArchitects on building XO Marshmallow, navigating the messy middle of entrepreneurship, and what it really takes to scale with heart 🤍 #xomarshmallow #founder #podcast #behindthescenes

Part two of the hallway renovation: the moment it truly started to come to life. 🤍 I partnered with @belarteSTUDIO again to bring wallpaper into the space above the board and batten, and it completely transformed the hallway. At first glance the wallpaper feels abstract… but it’s actually the feminine form. It gives the space this beautiful, artsy, old-world energy that I’m completely obsessed with. One of the reasons I love working with Belarte Studio is how seamless the entire process is. I simply sent over my measurements and they created the exact amount of wallpaper I needed — no guesswork, no waste, no worrying about which panel lines up with which. Installation was surprisingly easy (I did it myself!), and the quality of the paper is truly unmatched. It feels incredibly high-end and luxe in person. Their commitment to sustainability makes supporting them even better. Thoughtful design, beautiful craftsmanship, and a brand that genuinely cares — that’s the kind of partnership I’ll say yes to every time. #homerenovation #belartestudio #wallpaper #beforeandafter #diyhomedecor

(See the original before video here) @Lindzi Shanks Part one of finally finishing our hallway renovation… three years in the making. 😅 This project actually started back in 2022 with a completely blank hallway. We added board and batten, painted everything (trim included!) a vibrant jewel-toned green… and then the project just stopped. For almost three years. Not because anything was “wrong,” but because I couldn’t move forward. I was busy, overwhelmed, and honestly? I couldn’t make up my mind about what I actually wanted. And deep down, I knew I didn’t love the green anymore. And that just left me feeling stuck to get to the next step. Then I found Barista by @Benjamin Moore — the richest, most delicious chocolate-brown I’ve ever seen. And it was like suddenly the whole space clicked into place. It’s the color that finally brought this project back to life. So here we are: 31 feet of extra-long hallway, revived and ready to make it to the finish line. And I PROMISE it won’t take me another three years. The plan: finish the entire thing before Christmas. 🎄 Do you think I can actually pull it off?! 🫠 Follow along for the full transformation. It’s going to be a wild (and very brown) ride. 🤎 #homeimprovement #homerenovation #hallway #diyproject #beforeandafter

6 years of marshmallow magic

10 years into @XO Marshmallow 👏 and there are days I don’t want to do it anymore & days I want to give up. But at the end of the day, I wouldn’t be who I am without this sticky mess of a shop 😭 #xomarshmallow #founder #marshmallows #marshmallow #businessowner

This year, I’ve been starting my week with contrast therapy at @sweathouz and I’m genuinely not going back. Between running a business and working out all week, both my mind and my body are exhausted — but this has become the healthiest form of relaxation I’ve found. There’s something about stepping into a private sauna + cold plunge suite and just… emerging renewed. I’ve noticed I get more done on Sundays now, my body feels less tense, and my mood is completely different heading into Monday. Plus, it’s become such a good moment for Drew and me to talk through the week ahead and reflect on the one we just wrapped. For me, starting my week this way feels grounding — like working out without actually moving — and honestly one of the best habits I’ve added to my routine. If you want to try it, you can use code LLSSH10 for $10 off your first session. #swthz #sweathouz #sauna #coldplunge #founder

And that’s on running your own business ✌️ #xomarshmallow #ceo #businessowner #founder #femalefounder

Things I Bought to Remember my Travels: Part 1

I mean… so far I’ve been able to figure it out 🤷‍♀️ #toxictrait #homedecor #DIY #renovation #homeimprovement

Not sorry #unfortunately #guiltypleasure #chicago

Chicago Renegade Craft Fair Home Finds

Side hustles of a 7 Figure Founder

Where you at loca

I’m going to finish it… I promise 🫣 #homedecor #humor #DIY #renovation #comedy

We renovated our guest bathroom for $2500 — but where did we spend the money? I’m breaking down the costs of everything we ordered to make this renovation happen. Full disclosure, the wallpaper was gifted but I factored in the cost in the spreadsheet as if we paid for it — still coming in right on budget. #homedecor #renovation #DIY #beforeandafter #moneytok

We renovated our guest bathroom for $2500 — but where did we spend the money? I’m breaking down the costs of everything we ordered to make this renovation happen. Full disclosure, the wallpaper was gifted but I factored in the cost in the spreadsheet as if we paid for it — still coming in right on budget. #homedecor #renovation #DIY #beforeandafter #moodyaesthetic

One day I’ll finish the hallway, I promise. #homedecor #renovation #couplegoals #diyproject #guestbedroom

Hi 👋 I’m Lindzi & with so many new faces here in the last few days, I wanted to take the time to reintroduce myself… 🍬 I’m the co-founder & co-CEO of @xo.marshmallow 🛠️ I absolutely love DIY projects & home decor. We are renovating our condo in Chicago and taking you along for the journey. In another life, I feel like I would be an interior designer. ✈️ I love to travel. I didn’t leave the US until I was 28 and now I want to see as much as the world as possible. Check out my bio for links to how I get cheap flights. ☠️ I’m an elder emo still listening to the same bands from high school (#itwasnotaphase), thriving in a mosh pit, and while my business is colorful bubblegum pop, my personal style is somewhere closer to Wednesday Addams. 🪴 I have a plant problem 👏 I absolutely love helping other female founders grow their businesses. I share as much advice and experience as I possibly can in the hopes that you can learn from my mistakes and take lessons from my wins because at the end of the day we are in this together. So… are you new here? Welcome! #xomarshmallow #introduceyourself #businessowner #femalefounders #homedecor #DIY #mentalhealthmatters

This project took 3 days & $250 for all 4 sets of doors. I’m obsessed with them & love that we could create something custom without throwing away the doors! #closetdoormakeover #bifolddoors #blackpaint #brasshardware #homeproject #diyhome #homedecor #diyhomedecor #girlswithpowertools #homerenovation #moodydecor #closetmakeover #beforeandafter #interiordesign #myhome @lindzishanks

If you have these doors & want to upgrade them, this was so easy! Full diy coming soon. ps… if you have these & love them, that’s okay! We just have different styles. #beforeandafter #closetdoormakeover #easydiy #diyhome #diyhomeprojects #homedecor #homerenovation #customdoors #blackpaint #moodydecor #interiordesign #bifolddoors @lindzishanks