Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacey Hines.
Hi Stacey, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My life journey began as an island girl being born in Jamaica. I spent most of my early child hood growing up with my mom in our family home with my grandparents, my aunt and uncles. I had a humble yet fun childhood. As an only child I spent a lot of time making friends and enjoying time by myself. When I was 9 years old I migrated to the US to spend time with my dad who lived in New York and worked on Wall Street as a systems operator. I used to go to work with him at nights and fell in love with the idea of computers. I had this dual existence with a home in Jamaica and in America until I was a teenager. I went to high school in Jamaica and spent holidays with my dad. Soon after my father moved to Atlanta, I briefly attended high school there and then transitioned to Georgia State University where I studied Computer Information Systems. I had no idea how the choice to go into this field would positively impact the career trajectory of my life.
After leaving university, I moved to Miami to marry and build a family with my high school sweetheart. I continued with my tech career, eventually obtaining my MBA. I also started dabbling in entrepreneurship, although at that time it was not as celebrated a path as it is now. I started a women’s accessory business and built websites for my friends. I loved the thrill of entrepreneurship and soon tried my hand as a party planner and interior decorator among other business ventures. None of these paths blossomed into a full time business, largely because my family was steadily growing and I liked the reliability of a steady income that came with working a corporate job. By the time I settled back down in Atlanta I had 3 children, a beautiful home on over an acre of land, a thriving career in tech, and community service activities through church. I was exhausted, overwhelmed and navigating challenges of being wife, mother, high performer and everything in between. The one constant I would say was my love for my children and my career. These areas of my life kept me motivated and committed to working for the life I desired. Soon enough the need for greater family support led me back to Jamaica where I took on my first executive role for a startup technology company.
The advancement to leadership opened the door for me to expand my mindset and my horizons. I have since worked in tech C-Suite & specialist roles in the US & Canada and managed technology product portfolios with partners in Australia, Germany, India and Africa. My last few years have been spent honing my skills as a strategist, business and digital transformation expert and leadership performance coach. I have been an angel investor and continue to be an entrepreneur advocate who serves on multiple boards.
My tech career has been a blessing in my life and I’ve also solidified my commitment to the field by developing leadership training programs for Women in STEM. This year I’ll be hosting a summer camp for Girls in STEM, training them in web development and leadership skills to support bridging the gender and pay disparity gap that still exists in the industry. I have left corporate to begin my own company Epic Transformation where I consult and build solutions for digital transformation and AI adoption.
Although my career blossomed, my personal life suffered in many areas. Despite the challenges I dealt with, I was able to unearth the most authentic version of myself. Facing and demystifying who I really am and who I wanted to be in this world. I began studying conscious awareness and took on mindfulness practices like meditation that continue to support me today. In 2018 I published my first book Five Year Love Affair, a photo memoir which focused on the journey of survival that I had undergone. I also launched my first podcast “The Balanced Lady Boss Show” to help women like me avoid becoming overwhelmed and burnt out. My exploration with consciousness continues today and has evolved into many passion projects that are now a part of my Life Transformation System called Living with Intention. I’ve developed and published Daily Intention and affirmation cards as well as a journal. Later this year I will be releasing the annual planner to support individuals who are seeking to change their lives one simple step at a time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I have faced a few challenges in my life. Cancer, divorce and depression were the heaviest.
About a year after moving back to Jamaica to work with the startup technology company, my marriage fell apart and I became separated from my now ex-husband. This was the tipping point of what became an ongoing downward spiral that included breast cancer, moving countries multiple times with my children, being treated for clinical depression and anxiety and all the ups and downs that came with this process.
With the instability of my personal life, there were many financial challenges as I navigated being a single mother supporting three children. There were many sleepless and tear filled nights as I tried to rationalize this new adulting experience that I was not prepared for. While rebuilding my life I became intimately familiar with negative thought patterns like self doubt, guilt and shame. I moved back in with my mother to help us with getting a new start, which was a critical reminder that it takes a village to raise a child… and sometimes an adult.
Luckily for me, I discovered how resilient women and children can be in the midst of challenges. I used the experiences during this time as a source of inspiration for the work I do now in supporting others on their life’s journey.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As an awarded woman in tech, I spend a lot of my time working on supporting company’s seeking digital transformation solutions. My passion however is on the creative side of my company which focuses on the transformational opportunities that life consistently offers us. I am obsessed with the power of intention and the way that this inherent skill allows us to create the life that we truly desire. I’ve studied the principles of intention and mindful living and have developed tools for navigating the mental challenges that come with life’s difficult moments.
My company offers affirmation cards, candles, books and courses anchored in the theme of Intention to help people getting over the hurdle of life change.
Right now I’m most proud of my LIVE weekly podcast on YouTube every Saturday morning at 9am called “Tea Time with the Balanced Lady Boss”. The show is designed to inspire and empower listeners by exploring personal and professional growth themes. Each episode looks into practical life lessons, strategies for overcoming challenges, and stories of transformation and resilience. Whether persons are seeking inspiration to navigate life’s complexities or tips to enhance their wellness journey, ‘Saturday Tea Time’ is a go-to resource for encouragement and actionable insights.
My story is one of resilience and overcoming. This sets me apart as my journey has created experiences that I now use as the foundation for the transformation work I do with others. I believe that each of us is set apart based purely on our unique way of having lived and experienced our lives.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I enjoy singing… and I can carry a tune pretty well!
Pricing:
- Epic Intentions Daily Affirmation Cards – $30
- Living with Intention Journal – $25.99
- Intention Candles – $20
Contact Info:
- Website: staceyhines.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamstaceyhines/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamstaceyhines/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGv9833OlSQq90-U7wdjNNA
- Other: www.epictransformation.net
Image Credits
Tanya Wideman Leo Hudson
