Meet Phillis Stacy-Brooks

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Phillis Stacy-Brooks a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Phillis , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resilience came from my amazing Dad. He never gave up, no matter how challenging the circumstances were. And gratefully, that was passed on to me. I’m not saying it’s been easy to stay strong and keep moving forward. But having faith, preserving, and adapting to circumstances has never failed me, and that I would always be alright has proven to be true. Money was very tight when I became a single mom of twin boys.

I had to think outside the box at every turn. Seven years ago, I slept on the couch in a one-bedroom apartment. I got up every morning at 3:30 to find plastic bottles and soda cans to recycle. I realized I would be in the same or worse position if I didn’t make significant changes.

I knew I had to buy a place and soon, but how? Where I lived was quite expensive, but I wanted the boys to stay where they went to school and with their friends. They had gone through enough.

It was time once again to think outside the box and be resilient. I knew I didn’t want to get a job, job. So, I continued to work at my little company, Main Street Graphics. This way, I could take the twins to school, pick them up, and attend their sports events. I had that covered.

Housing became my main focus. I looked everywhere, and I couldn’t afford to stay local. Then, a friend suggested I look at a little mountain town 40 minutes away.

I looked at several properties before I found the cutest little cabin. Just perfect for my boys and me. The owner carried the loan, which was a blessing because there was no way I would have qualified for a traditional loan. I’d found my home. Being resilient, never giving up, and being flexible was key. The point is don’t ever give up. One decision I made seven years ago opened doors to other amazing adventures. I will always be grateful, and I will always be thankful.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’ve always loved to create. I love baking, knitting, sewing, working, and restoring old, unloved houses; Main Street Graphics has been, without a doubt, my perfect job. I’m able to do what I love…create. Main Street’s primary focus is branding, social media, and WordPress websites. So many businesses need a robust website that looks good but is also well-built on the backend. I’ve recently completed several refresher courses for online marketing and SEO.

I’ve picked up writing again, and it’s been an unbelievable experience. The words and phrases come faster than I can put them on paper. I have completed books about What Makes a Hamburger, What Makes a Fireman, What Makes a Cupcake, What Makes a Farm, and What Makes a Pizza for inquisitive young children. Now, I’m looking for a literary agent, talk about a challenge!

And thanks to a local Arts Council, I’m reexploring my passion for the arts.
I’ve created several new pieces since the beginning of the year.

I believe the art I’m creating and the writing I’m working on have expanded my creativity for my client’s projects, and that can only be a good thing.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
It took me years to understand that I needed to stand up for myself. I am worth what I charge; I am talented, and there is a reason why I design the way I do. I don’t just design pretty pictures. I design based on the client and their target audience.

Stay current with updates and trends. That doesn’t mean you have to change your style. I didn’t. But it’s good to know and adapt when it feels right.

Know your fonts and use them wisely. I love working with fonts. That’s what I’m genuinely known for. Creating and manipulating letters so my client has a one-of-a-kind logo is just too much fun.

Have fun with your talent. If you do, you’ll have years of career enjoyment. I know I did.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
I took care of my mom for a few years. While I had work coming into Main Street I wasn’t actively looking for new clients. I now feel that oversight. I also wasn’t able to volunteer or do any nonprofit work. I’m hoping that, as in the past, getting out in the community, showing my face, and signing up for local events will introduce me to new clients while giving back to my community.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Elite Magazine

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience is often the x-factor that differentiates between mild and wild success. The stories of

Productivity
Beating Burnout

Often the key to having massive impact is the ability to keep going when others

Leadership Development
Finding Your Why

Not knowing why you are going wherever it is that you are going sounds silly,