Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Dr. Stacey J Gholar of Dunwoody

Dr. Stacey J Gholar shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Stacey J, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Are you walking a path—or wandering?
Right now, I am absolutely walking a path. But I have to be real, it wasn’t always this way. For a while, I was definitely wandering. It’s easy to do, even when you’re the kind of woman who sees the glass as half full. You just find yourself adrift, procrastinating and lacking discipline, and before you know it, you’re not moving forward.

Eventually, I had to sit down and have a serious meeting with myself about playing with my potential. What I mean by that is sometimes you realize the only thing stopping you from making that change or hitting that next level is you. The things you know you should be doing get pushed aside because you’re too busy being distracted by whatever and whomever.

This past year, after experiencing loss, losing my mom and four other people in 2023, and then my best friend in a car accident in August of this year, I decided I had to end my year strong, not regretful or unfulfilled. I’ve been in a four month lock-in for my personal, professional, health, and financial life, making intentional choices to build the life I want. That journey started with true discipline, which I now have so much more of.

I am no longer wandering because I am aware and intentional with my time, my mind, and my faith. Honestly, my spiritual life has been the best it’s ever been during this lock-in. I’m so excited about the direction my life is going in, and I would encourage anyone else that struggles with discipline to work hard at it, because it feels so good to live on purpose.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dr. Stacey J. Gholar, a woman who truly believes that the best legacy we can build is one that pours back into others. Originally from Chicago, I’ve called Atlanta home for the last 15 years, and this city has been a perfect place for my purpose to take root and flourish.

My businesses aren’t just about providing services; they are a direct reflection of my personal journey and my deep seated passion for helping people. I co-founded Bloom Creative Agency with my son, Donnivan, as a testament to the power of family and shared vision. We are a boutique creative agency dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and small business owners with their branding and digital marketing needs. What makes us special is that every design and strategy we create is infused with the same care and intention we’d put into our own lives. We aren’t just building brands, we are nurturing our clients’ dreams.

This same heart drives the Digital Women Society, an organization I founded to help Gen X women go from confused to confident in the online space. After navigating my own path through immense personal challenges, I learned that true power comes from living with intention. My goal is to guide women who may feel lost and show them how to find their footing, build confidence, and turn their potential into income.

Ultimately, both of my businesses are designed to empower. They are built on the belief that a little bit of support, a lot of care, and the right tools can help anyone not just survive, but truly bloom.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I think my earliest memory of feeling truly powerful was the moment I stepped away from what was expected of me and trusted my own path. I was working in the corporate world, and even though it was a stable career, I knew in my gut it just wasn’t for me.

Then, an incredible opportunity landed in my lap; working with a family member who was an actress. As I handled her personal and professional brand, a lightbulb went off. I realized that the skills I was using to help her succeed were skills I possessed myself and that I could offer them to other clients. It was a pivotal moment of self discovery.

That realization ignited my entrepreneurial spirit, and I stepped out on faith. It was a leap, but I knew I had to take it. And I haven’t looked back since. That initial step into entrepreneurship was a powerful feeling, but it was amplified again in 2016 when I hosted my first women’s conference, LIVE365 Empowerment. The name was inspired by my late father. Seeing so many women gathered together in one room, all connecting and lifting each other up, was an unforgettable experience. It was a truly empowering moment to know that I had created that space and made it happen.

Those moments taught me that power isn’t about a title or a big paycheck; it’s about recognizing your own potential, taking a leap of faith, and using your gifts to create something meaningful for yourself and for others.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be a simple but deeply felt message: “You are safe and you are loved.”

So many of us carry the weight of our past, of a time when we weren’t just a child. We were navigating adult emotions and difficult situations that we had no business carrying. We place those feelings in a box and push them away, thinking we can deal with them later, or not at all.

I would tell that younger version of me that she deserved to be just a child and to be free from fear, to be happy, and to be protected. I’d let her know that some of the things she experienced were never her fault, and that it’s okay to feel hurt. I’d teach her that forgiveness isn’t about excusing someone else’s actions; it’s about freeing herself from the weight of it all.

And I would also tell her this: You can be anything you want to be. Your potential is limitless. But to truly thrive, you must always check in with yourself and your emotions. Feelings aren’t always facts, and life can be overwhelming, but by constantly taking a moment to check in, you can navigate it all with grace and strength. The journey to healing the inner child is one of the most important things we can ever do, and it starts with that first moment of kindness and compassion toward ourselves.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
That’s an easy one. The public version of me is definitely the real me. What you see is what you get, online, in the house, and in person. I’ve always believed that authenticity is the only way to build a real connection.

Now, that doesn’t mean I don’t adjust for the room I’m in. Just like anyone, I carry myself differently in a boardroom than I do on my couch. But the core of who I am, my values, my spirit, my passion; that’s always present. The foundation of who I am is as real as it gets.

I think it’s a misconception that you can know everything about a person just by looking at their online presence. Social media gives you a glimpse, a highlight reel. But the true richness of a person’s character, their humor, their kindness, their resilience, that’s something you only get to experience when you truly get to know them. My goal is for the person you meet online to be a genuine reflection of the person you meet in person. I’m proud to say that they are one and the same but trust it’s a privilege to be in my presence. I protect my peace at all costs.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m home. It’s more than just a place; it’s a sanctuary where I can fully be myself. I love being surrounded by the people I love and who love me in return.

In our fast paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the noise of a busy life, the constant demands, the endless to-do lists, the distractions. But for me, peace comes from actively drowning all that out. I love being home, putting on some music, and just allowing myself to be present in the moment. Music has a special power; it helps me to quiet my mind and focus on what I’m manifesting for my life. I love listening to motivational videos but more importantly, spending time with God.

Peace is an inner journey, and it’s a feeling I find when I intentionally tune in rather than tune out. It’s about creating a space both physically and mentally where I can reconnect with my true self and remember what truly matters. It’s in those quiet moments that I feel the most grounded, centered, and truly at peace.

Contact Info:

• Website: under construction
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealstaceyj
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/digitalwomensociety

Image Credits
Prime Phocus