Shannon Christensen listens to her heart, not business advisers.

That's how the Kelowna woman has built a culture-shifting and award-winning charity called Mamas for Mamas doing things no business manager would ever recommend.

"I went through an inheritance from my dad and my family sold our house in 2017 to get the $100,000 needed to keep Mamas for Mamas going," said Christensen.

"I have zero regrets because we've been able to create a cultural shift in motherhood. It's the opposite of quicksand. Our methods lift all mothers up whether they are donors or those needing help." 

Christensen's impact caught the eye of the Governor General at Rideau Hall and the Chancellery of Honours to be awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), one of Canada's highest civilian honours.

"The MSM label pins just arrived today," said Christensen.

"OMG, it's so exciting."

Christensen is speaking quickly and enthusiastically, not just because of the honour.

She's this passionate all the time, which is part of the reason she's propelled Mamas for Mamas from an idea in 2014 to the nationwide force it is today.

Christensen had her kids early, so when she was home feeding babies and changing diapers her friends were advancing their careers and going to concerts.

"I had a great husband and we weren't struggling financially, but I had a bit of postpartum depression and I was struggling emotionally. I needed a village of other young moms and I didn't have one." 

Christensen turned to her maternal grandmother for advice, the same woman who volunteered at a home for motherless babies in Nigeria in the 1970s.

"She told me that if I didn't have a village then I had to build one," she said.

So, Christensen built one in the most modern of ways by starting a Facebook group in April 2014 to give away the baby clothes, strollers and cribs she no longer needed and to meet other moms.

"It was pretty evident I wasn't the only one seeking a village," she said.

"It started a shift in the culture of motherhood. We supported each other, lifted each other up and it was so gratifying for women to donate to benefit whoever needs it."

Basically, Christensen created a massive online, peer-to-peer sharing economy allowing those able to donate to donate and those needing help to receive it without delay or judgement.

In 2017, Mamas for Mamas opened a physical location in Kelowna at 1735 Dolphin Ave. as an adjunct to its Facebook group.

Now, there are 62 satellite Facebook groups across the country which handle one million donations and trades per year and 23 staff members at the Kelowna office have helped 25,000 women directly to secure food, clothing, baby and children gear, housing, health and dental care, training an employment.

A second office has opened in Vancouver, another in Penticton and locations are on the way for Kitchener-Waterloo, Victoria, Calgary and Grand Prairie.

Mobile Karma Markets come right to moms in need in Penticton and Vernon to distribute baby clothes and gear and other necessities.

"What we do is so tangible," said Christensen.

"I used to think I should separate my family life from my Mamas for Mamas life. But, I am Mamas for Mamas because I'm a human, a woman and a mother. My family is a huge help, so we do it together and make sure we also have time for balance."