We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hope Skouras Skouras. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hope Skouras below.
Hope Skouras, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
My optimism comes from my faith and the perspective I gained through my health journey. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 17, and when you face a life-altering chronic illness at a young age, you quickly learn not to take your health—or your days—for granted. Life suddenly becomes more precious. You start finding joy and gratitude in even the smallest things, and because you never know what the next day may hold, you teach yourself not to live in fear but to treat each day as a gift.
Even though my Crohn’s is now thankfully in remission, it took years of uncertainty, growth, and mindset work to get here. Choosing positivity and gratitude became a daily practice, and it truly transformed me. I’ve also seen how God hasn’t wasted any of the pain or suffering I went through, He’s used my story in meaningful ways.
Today, that perspective is at the heart of my company, The Whole Hope. Our product, Lemon Swirl, is rooted in health and wellness because it’s my hope that others can start their day with self-care: by fueling their body first thing in the morning, grounding their spirit, and resetting their mind to gratitude. My optimism comes from knowing firsthand how powerful those small, intentional choices can be.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, intuition, and a willingness to learn. Each of these has shaped how I lead, how I create, and how I navigate both challenges and growth. You can build resilience by practicing gratitude and perspective. Even small wins count. And surround yourself with people who speak encouragement into your life. Your intuition grows stronger when you give yourself quiet space. Slow down. Reflect. Pray. Pay attention to what gives you peace versus pressure. Your body often knows before your mind does. And lastly, a willingness to learn. Entrepreneurship requires stepping into new territory constantly. I didn’t start out knowing how to build a product or a brand, but I committed to figuring it out. That openness has been one of my greatest advantages. I always aim to : stay curious, ask questions, and seek mentors. Do not feel like you need to know everything at the beginning. Progress comes from taking one small, imperfect step at a time.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I feel overwhelmed, the first thing I do is acknowledge it, take a deep breath, and say a prayer. I think it’s important to name overwhelm instead of ignoring it, because pretending it isn’t there only makes it louder. Once I acknowledge it, I ground myself. I make lists, I ask for help, and I reach out to the supportive people in my life. I also check in with how well I’m taking care of myself, because overwhelm often shows up when burnout is already present.
We can only pour out what we’re pouring into ourselves. That includes how we show up in our businesses. If I’m showing up halfway or operating from a place of constant overwhelm, that energy is what gets put into the world — and that’s not what I want to lead with. Being able to acknowledge my overwhelm, share it authentically, and be vulnerable is actually a gift to the soul.
Emotions can be loud and feelings can get messy, so sometimes the best thing I can do is step away and go somewhere quiet. For me, that quiet place is devotion, time in prayer, and recentering myself. The world is noisy, and we have to be intentional about quieting that noise so we can hear what really matters.
Contact Info:
- Website: thewholehope.com
- Instagram: thewholehope
Image Credits
Image One with pouring the kettle and of Hope: The Beautiful Mess
Six Images: Cecilia Atwood Photography
