Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacey Ruth.
Hi Stacey, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Today I can truly say I am unstoppable. My background in marketing and branding overlaps my personal spiritual journey and makes me a uniquely skilled certified executive leadership coach.
I am the founder of 2 multimillion-dollar agencies, an acclaimed marketer, entrepreneur, minister and award-winning author.
I also have been among the Top 50 Entrepreneurs Under 50 in Atlanta and twice awarded Top 100 “It” Agencies by Experiential Marketer – all before the age of 40.
My story is really about how as a novice entrepreneur, I was faced with nearly every leadership challenge possible; from failed marriages to battling imposter syndrome, overwhelm, exhaustion, and disillusionment. Still, I managed to thrive and find the freedom to do the things I love, such as travel, and advocate for other women leaders growing their influence and impact through self-awareness and personal branding.
This is a story of triumph – and not letting life stand in the way.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Running a company or being out in front as a leader is never a bed of roses. Like many successful women and under-represented communities, I have struggled to get a seat at the table, put other people’s needs and agendas in front of my own. I let your health suffer rather than appear weak or incapable, and above all, faced imposter syndrome as I navigated uncharted territory, feeling I may never have enough credentials to fully earn others’ respect.
It wasn’t until recently that I realized how I had cracked the code for my personal and business transformation without knowing it!
In the middle of running my agencies, I was manically focused on growth, giving way too much of myself and my time to the business. The “success” I created was taking a major toll on my relationships, my body and my mindset. I gained weight. I wasn’t sleeping. And I was chronically stressed out.
I knew something had to change, so I started taking major action. I asked my business partner to buy me out and set up shop as an author and speaker. I began to reframe my work around my life and my passion – not the other way around.
It takes different mindsets, strategy and actions to break through old ideas and limiting beliefs.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I have developed and honed a way to operate in a more clear, motivated and satisfying way during my 30 years as an entrepreneur – and more recently as a coach and a minister – working with some of the largest, most successful organizations in the world.
With powerful questions, fresh perspective, a dose of spirituality and practical accountability, I help clients just like you step into a natural passion, power and freedom. There is an entirely new level of success than most of us allow ourselves.
I began helping people just like me to grow their brands and began to see how critically important spiritual principles are in a successful business — value, mission, vision…they’re badass when you really use them.
Countless people began to ask me for help with their marketing and branding. They wanted me to coach them into having the kind of success I had built for myself.
That was my lightbulb moment.
Fast forward three years, and I’ve helped hundreds of people rewrite their leadership story, conquer imposter syndrome, and rise to their next level.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
We all need a mentor and a tribe – not one. Both. Mentors are the people we aspire to be more like and are too shy many times to ask for their time and insight. My strong advice is to reach out to that person – the one you already are watching from the sidelines – and buy them lunch. Ask them how you can learn from them. Of course, as a coach, I certainly believe in the incredible benefit of having a coach to accelerate and simplify your growth. That is one of the best possible mentorship arrangements possible.
As for networking in general – too often, we confuse networking with sales. They are not the same at all. Networking is about building a tribe. Find your people, such as a business association or a group forum. Then show up regularly. Reach out to people individually afterwards who you find interesting. When I network like that, I almost never leave a networking event without at least three great leads. Our businesses grow when we show up in service to others. Always.
Pricing:
- Free Strategy Session for Voyage readers – 45-minutes on specific challenge: Booking link: https://calendly.com/staceyruth/unstoppable-strategy-session-45
Contact Info:
- Email: stacey@staceyruthsays.com
- Website: unstoppable-leader.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staceyruth_says/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theunstoppableleader
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/StaceyRuthSays
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6rMs04ZmOL8QVqbZ7q3ozQ
Image Credits
Kris Janovitz, Lorikay Stone, istock, Jeff Gaines
