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Story & Lesson Highlights with Stephanie Lloyd of Atlanta, Decatur

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We’re looking forward to introducing you to Stephanie Lloyd. Check out our conversation below.

Stephanie, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
Perfection. Do you ever convince yourself that in order to be acceptable, you have to be perfect. Occasionally, I will find myself caught in this rigid thought loop. That flawlessness in appearance, in work, in day-to-day life, is a requirement. Of course, perfection is not a realistic goal for any of us. And so, when I inevitably fall short, I throw in the towel. Black and white. All or nothing.

But what I have been gradually learning and practicing, is the power of consistency over perfection. Sometimes, showing up halfway is better than not showing up at all. And on those days when you can’t show up, forgive yourself. When I do this, a beautiful thing happens- I find that over time, in allowing myself to show up messy, flawed, or scared, I actually make more progress and gain more ground than I realize or give myself credit for. None of us are perfect, and perfection isn’t the goal. Sucess is achieved by taking it day by day and showing up consistently with whatever you are able to give.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Stephanie and I’m an actor, artist, nonprofit professional, and arts advocate. My acting career started on the stage (at some amazing theatres like The Center for Puppetry Arts, Seven Stages, and Actor’s Express) and has expanded into the commercial and voiceover world. Now, with over a decade of on-camera work as an actor, host and spokesperson, I’ve worked with dozens of brands including Speed Queen, Tempur-Pedic, Amana, No Child Hungry, Kelly’s, LG, Energy Star, and more, having appeared nationally in the United States & Canada. As a visual artist, my favorite medium is acrylic on canvas. My paintings use movement, texture, and above all, color, to evoke an emotional response. A jolt of electricity permeates my whimsical, somewhat surreal, sometimes mysterious work. My artwork was featured in Season 1 of Ozark and Queer Eye and can currently be viewed at Artifice Gallery inside Arches Brewing in East Point. Additionally, I am passionate about programs and services that fill critical gaps in our community. I’m proud to have worked at some amazing museums and organizations in Atlanta like The Atlanta History Center, The Hudgens Center for Art & Learning, and Our House, Inc. Currently, I serve as the Director of Community Engagement at The Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence in Decatur. WRCDV is a nonprofit committed to creating a society free from domestic violence, offering a comprehensive suite of services including a safe house, legal advocacy, children’s programming, safe custody exchange, case management, and sexual assault services.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I have an early memory of being about 5 or 6, waking up early at my friend’s house to sneak into her playroom to go color. As I was sitting there coloring, selecting which markers and crayons to use, feeling the excitement of being awake before everyone else, falling into the comfortable trance of a flow state, I remember thinking “this feels right.” That is the first time I can recall experiencing that deep inner knowing of connecting with your true self. When I’m painting, or working on a project I feel passionately about, I still feel glimmers of that feeling, and when it happens, I know I’m on the right path.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
“Giving Up” sounds so final, but there have definitely been times where I have had to adjust my expectations, and re-define what success looks like. For example, in my 20’s when I was pursuing an acting career, I was juggling several part time jobs, taking classes, and auditioning as much as I could. Sometimes I would book a contract, quit my part-time job, complete the show, and then re-apply for another part-time job and repeat the cycle again. I value that experience and certainly paid my dues, but there came a point when I realized that the lifestyle I was living was not going to lead me to the life that I wanted. My passion for creativity has never wavered, but my desire for financial stability and a career with upward mobility grew stronger as I got older. This realization prompted me to go back to school to gain my Masters in Creative & Innovative Education at Georgia State University. Now, I am able to balance my nonprofit career with my acting career, art projects, and other creative pursuits.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I believe that everyone deserves reasonable access to basic services like healthcare, childcare, education, and other social support resources. This may seem obvious to some, but in a world where public services are rapidly breaking down, and private services are becoming prohibitively expensive and unaffordable, the nonprofit field serves a critical function in bridging those gaps. Now more than ever is the time for community members to come together to support local programs that help underserved communities. Whether by making a financial contribution to an organization that means something to you, by volunteering your time, or simply by helping raise awareness of a cause that matters, we all have the power to collectively change lives for the better. WRCDV.org/support.

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 in my house! I love my home and am so proud of it and the way I decorated and designed every last detail to my liking. Some perks of living alone- I can adjust the thermostat to make it feel like a freezing igloo just the way I like it, I can repaint the walls any color I want (right now, every room of my house is a different color), I can cook anything I want every night of the week or order takeout every night of the week ( I usually try to maintain a combination). Painting in my art studio with a horror movie playing in the background. Sleeping in then having coffee on the porch. Wandering around my backyard with my cats, admiring my Lantana, Hydrangeas, and Rosemary I planted, while my favorite downtempo playlist wafts through the air. Being home brings me a deep, restorative peace that helps me recharge and face the world again.

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