Interview with Stephanie J from She Brands Inc

I had the pleasure of interviewing Stephanie J, celebrity publicist, successful entrepreneur, turned author overnight. 

Thank you so much for joining us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

I honestly don’t have an answer! I started writing as a form of therapy and decided to try my hand at an actual book. It blew up overnight, literally.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your company?

Oddly enough, not much happens when you work behind the scenes like i do. But i can certainly tell you that people tend to assume that because you aren’t particularly in the spotlight, you’re not a big name or you’re not important. Then they do their homework and it’s like oh THAT’s Stephanie J, the girl behind a lot!

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Not particularly funny, but I made the mistake early on thinking that support would just come because I gave it to others. That’s complete bullshit. People will literally do all they can to have front row seats to your failure, it’s sad. So the lesson was, give them something to talk about, prove them wrong, and go harder when they apply pressure!

What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?

I’m unique. I’m genuine. Unlike most, i’m not afraid of my voice. Meaning, i use it, regardless of what people think. You have to be you, no matter what, otherwise, the industries will eat you alive!

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

Stay true to what you love. Don’t let people change you or devalue you. Period. Don’t pay attention to trends and competition, create your own lane and ride that shit out!

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?

I’m grateful for my close friends who listened to me vent at 3 am, the support systems that ride for me regardless. The family members who drop their lives to come running when i call in a crisis, and to the clients that continue to show loyalty to me when they could easily support other businesses.

How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?  

I love empowerment. I give back by mentoring and coaching women who don’t have the full resources or access to them to get started in a business of their own. I know what that’s like, having started out at the age of 19, struggling to get by. I no longer have to do that, and neither should they!

Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share a story of how that was relevant to you in your life?  

Sure. “If I wasn’t built for this shit, I’d be dead by now.” This holds true because like many others, I have survived many things, personally and professionally that might have taken out the average person. But strength and resilience are my strong suits for a reason.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me before I started my company” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

• One, things will get worse before they get better
• Two, not everyone will love you and that’s ok
• Three, It all takes time
• Four, You will find out that strangers support you more than people you’ve known forever
• Five, never mix business with pleasure!

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

I am currently working on a project now called Project SHE, Show Her Empowerment, where i am looking to go from state to state to mentor women in circumstances beyond their control, like homelessness, addiction, being stuck in the system, but women in these circumstances that still have interests in entrepreneurship, still deserve a chance to do better and thrive, so i want to be the one to make it happen for them.

How can our readers follow you on social media?

Yes, my instagram is @SheBrandsInc and my Twitter is @BlaqIsLyfe

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!