We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nicole Stevens a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Nicole, we are so deeply grateful to you for opening up about your journey with mental health in the hops that it can help someone who might be going through something similar. Can you talk to us about your mental health journey and how you overcame or persisted despite any issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
I think in one way or another, everyone is working through some aspect of mental health. To me, it’s a journey that doesn’t ever really end. There is constant work and checking in with myself that I need to do. Like so many of us, I have anxiety and OCD. It can be really difficult to stop my mind from going into obsessive spirals, and I struggle sometimes with remaining positive. What helps me is truly giving my focus to being logical and realistic. I check in with myself often throughout the day, especially on the most hectic ones, making sure I’m not giving too much attention to what’s out of my control. I also make very intentional lists in my planner. This helps me in my moments of overthinking and obsessing since I can go back to see what the priorities for the day/week truly are rather than on my anxious mind.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I run a small candy business called Dipped Chocolate Creations. I make chocolate candies, chocolate dipped pretzels, graham crackers, marshmallows, hot cocoa stir sticks, my Yiayia’s recipe for baklava, and more! We just launched a new line of treats that we’re excited about, which is our Dipped Popcorn. It has flavors that match some of the most popular candy flavors I offer, such as caramel pretzel, strawberry cheesecake, s’mores. My biggest focus, always, is my son. My business is important to me, but the reason behind it all is that I have the quality time with him. He is at every event with me, does so much behind the scenes to help me, and truly is my little business partner. He is at the heart of everything I do, and I can’t imagine having accomplished anything in our business without him.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Making candy was something I had taught myself to do as a side job when my son was a baby. When I decided to pursue it professionally, I hadn’t done it in years and didn’t know where to start. I really didn’t have a plan, but I had the goal of being more present with my family in the ways they needed. I think the qualities that helped me to this point were determination, faith and resilience.
I didn’t have a plan or knowledge, but I was determined to achieve my goal.
I didn’t know how I would overcome all the obstacles that kept presenting themselves, but I had faith that I would.
I was, and still am, knocked down time after time with surprise hurdles. But resilience is the key.
It’s so important to keep moving forward, focused on the goal, rather than distracted by the struggles. When you push yourself out of your comfort zone, it comes with more work, more difficulties and of course more discomfort. But it’s also where more growth starts. From there, the only limits are the ones you put on yourself.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
Offered unconditional support. In every part of my life, from childhood to now, I never felt that I didn’t have their support. I hear experiences from so many people of moving through their lives without the support of their family. I’m grateful that I have NEVER had that experience. They raised me to be independent and to do things for myself. But I know that if I need anything, they’re always right there.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://g.co/kgs/WWyP4cV
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dippedchocolatecreations?igsh=ZGNjOWZkYTE3MQ==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083590231414
