Meet Stella Grinfeld

We were lucky to catch up with Stella Grinfeld recently and have shared our conversation below.

Stella, 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, I believe, is deeply rooted in my journey as a Ukrainian immigrant, an only child who came to Canada thirty years ago. This journey was not just a geographical shift but a transformative experience that taught me the essence of resilience. Growing up in a new country, grappling with the challenges of integration and cultural adaptation, I quickly learned that resilience is not inherent; it’s cultivated through experiences and the choices we make in response to those experiences.

As an only child, the solitude that often accompanied my early years in Canada became a double-edged sword. It was during these solitary moments that I faced my struggles with anxiety head-on, which also emerged through some of life’s relationships, parenting, and certainly my creative career. This battle, though deeply personal, was not solitary. I learned the importance of seeking help, embracing the support systems available, and understanding that vulnerability is not a weakness but a step towards strength. Overcoming anxiety and the imposter syndrome that often went hand-in-hand, taught me the value of looking at the bigger picture, focusing on long-term goals rather than getting bogged down by momentary setbacks.

My career as a designer, artist and musician further reinforced my resilience. In the creative industry, criticism and rejection are as common as praise and acceptance. I quickly realized that having thick skin was not just an asset but a necessity. Every piece of feedback, constructive or otherwise, became a tool for improvement. It’s easy to take criticism personally, but I learned to sift through it for the gems of true insight that could propel me forward. This mindset of using rejection as a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth.

In essence, my resilience comes from a combination of my background, my battles with anxiety, and my creative career. Each aspect of my journey has taught me valuable lessons about perseverance, seeking help when needed, and using every experience as an opportunity for growth. It’s a mindset that I carry into every aspect of my life and work, always looking forward to the next challenge with the knowledge that I have the tools and the strength to overcome it.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Certainly! Creativity is my lifeline and my superpower. I have been involved in art, music and design for as long as I can remember – literally from the young age of 5 years old. Everything I do hinges on my ability to be a creative visionary and innovator. I think the entrepreneurial spirit is something that I was born with long before I even understood what the word meant. Through my teenage years, I founded several businesses, including a music and art school, which I ran for over 15 years. Additionally, I started my freelance design business, before entering university to obtain my Honours Bachelors in Design from the York/Sheridan Joint Design Program. Following this, I learned programming because I knew that this would play a vital role in shifting my business from simply branding and graphic design to the full-scale digital design and marketing agency that we are today – Stella Graphix Inc.

I am extremely passionate about starting and growing businesses, while helping others become successful in their industry. My client successes are my badges of honour… and I have collected many over the last 20 years of working with thousands of clients and hundreds of different industries.

What started as a small, ambitious venture has grown into a dynamic design and marketing agency that prides itself on forward-thinking strategies and customer service excellence.

What excites me most about my work is the opportunity to bring stories to life. Every brand has a story, a unique identity that sets it apart, and my job is to amplify that narrative in a way that resonates with people. It’s not just about selling a product or service; it’s about creating a community, building emotional connections, and sparking conversations. This approach to marketing is what I believe makes our work special. It’s not just business; it’s about making an impact, one story at a time.

In addition to our core marketing services, we are also passionate about leveraging technology to enhance our storytelling capabilities. We’re currently exploring Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) as tools to create immersive high-level brand experiences. This exploration into the digital frontier is incredibly exciting because it opens up new avenues for creativity and engagement, allowing us to break traditional boundaries and connect with audiences in innovative ways.

Beyond my business aspirations, I’m committed to giving back to the community. Our company has embarked on several initiatives to support local artists and entrepreneurs, particularly those from immigrant backgrounds like mine. We believe in the power of community and the importance of lifting others as we climb, which is why a portion of our profits is reinvested into mentorship programs and workshops designed to empower the next generation of creatives and business leaders.

As for what’s new, we’re thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of our latest project, a digital platform designed to showcase emerging artists and designers from around the world. This project is especially close to my heart, as it reflects my own journey in the arts and my desire to create opportunities for those who might be overlooked by traditional galleries and markets.

Stella Graphix is more than just a marketing company. It’s a movement towards more meaningful, impactful, and creative expressions of what it means to connect in the digital age. Whether you’re a potential client, a creative looking for collaboration, or simply someone inspired by our story, I invite you to connect with us and join us on this exciting journey.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Reflecting on my journey, three qualities stand out as particularly impactful: creativity, adaptability and resilience. These attributes have not only guided me through personal and professional challenges but have also been instrumental in shaping the success of my marketing company.

  1. Creativity:
    Creativity has been essential in my work as a designer and marketer. It’s not just about having original ideas but also about being able to see connections and solutions where others might not. To develop creativity, immerse yourself in a variety of experiences, cultures, and fields of knowledge. Challenge yourself to think differently and be open to experimentation. Creativity thrives on diversity, so the more you expose yourself to different perspectives, the more creative you will become. Also, make space for creativity to grow by setting aside time for brainstorming and unstructured thinking.
  2. Adaptability:
    The digital landscape and consumer behaviors are constantly evolving, making adaptability a crucial skill. It’s about being open to change, learning new technologies, and adjusting strategies based on new information. To improve adaptability, cultivate a mindset of lifelong learning. Stay curious and proactive about trends in your industry, and be willing to pivot when necessary. Flexibility in thought and action allows you to navigate the uncertainties of the business world with more confidence.
  3. Resilience:
    Resilience, has been the cornerstone of my journey. It’s the ability to face challenges head-on, learn from failures, and persist despite setbacks. For those early in their journey, my advice is to cultivate resilience by embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. Don’t shy away from difficult situations; instead, use them to build your mental and emotional strength. Seek out support systems, whether in personal networks or professional mentors, and remember that resilience is built over time through experience.

Advice for Early Career Individuals:
For those at the beginning of their journey, focus on building a solid foundation in these three areas. Embrace challenges as learning opportunities, allow your creativity to be influenced by a wide range of experiences, and remain flexible in your goals and approaches. Remember, personal and professional growth is not a linear process; it’s full of ups and downs. Cultivate patience and persistence, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or seek out mentors. Everyone’s path is unique, but with resilience, creativity, and adaptability, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate yours. Another thing to add is to take everything as an opportunity. I always say when one door closes, it opens many more ahead. Keep your opportunity senses sharp and don’t shy away from grabbing at opportunities that come your way. Sometimes they are masked as your biggest challenges.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents did many things right that impacted where I am today. One of the most impactful things was investing in my education and talents through music lessons, art lessons, dance, additional tutors and more. We came to Canada with no money – in fact, we were actually in debt to some family members who helped bring us here. Despite all this, my parents’ priority was ensuring that I was doing all the extracurricular activities that helped shape my skills and talents.

My parents believed and supported everything I did. They never pushed me to a specific career choice and always advised me to follow my passion first and foremost. They taught me to be honest, reliable, hard-working, and most importantly, they instilled a constant sense of gratitude in me.

Contact Info:

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
Portraits of Resilience

Sometimes just seeing resilience can change out mindset and unlock our own resilience. That’s our

Productivity
Perspectives on Staying Creative

We’re beyond fortunate to have built a community of some of the most creative artists,

Confidence
Kicking Imposter Syndrome to the Curb

This is the year to kick the pesky imposter syndrome to the curb and move