We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Stephanie Iglesias a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Stephanie, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us today. We’re excited to dive into your story and your work, but first let’s start with a broader topic that might be stopping many of our readers from pursuing their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. How have you managed to persist despite haters and nay-sayers that inevitably follow folks who are doing something unique, special or off the beaten path?
HATERS fall into four categories: 1: They want to be me 2: They hate themselves, 3: They see me as a threat, 4: They hate the way others love me. For me, haters are motivation to rise up. I am a strong woman who has a vision and a purpose. Persistence is the forefront of everything I have endured and the haters and nay sayers are only a minute piece to the puzzle. You see people like me don’t give them the power to distract me from my purpose. I don’t rent space to people who can only dream of being me. They are a driving force to make sure, I don’t end up like THEM….a person with no purpose, no love, and no light.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Dr. Stephanie Iglesias and I am a lifelong resident of Southern New Jersey. My first real job in my career began when I became the parent of my two boys, Xavier and Joziah. This will always be my first ministry and the one career that I will never retire from. It is my beginning and my end, the place where I have learned so much as myself and the world around me. Although many don’t see parenthood as career I beg to differ, it’s a career with no time limits and no end. Although I was a SINGLE PARENT, my circumstance did not hinder me from pursuing my dreams. I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degree from Rutgers University, where my primary focus was social work. While completing my master’s degree, I decided to devote myself to helping children and families for the state of New Jersey in Cumberland County.
In 2014, I became an International best-selling coauthor of Motherhood Dreams and Success: You Can Have It All, an anthology by women all over the globe who despite adversity conquered their dreams. In 2015, I completed research with art therapists throughout the United States, examining the therapeutic processes utilized while working with aggressive youths. In 2016, I completed my Ph.D. in counseling at Capella University. During my research, I discovered the importance of cognitive assessments, the therapeutic relationship, and the use of creative means to positively express one’s thoughts and emotions.
Since the publication of my research, I have developed the Tasteful Art Experience, a hands-on business that fosters health, healing, and wellbeing through the use of art. As part of the Tasteful Art Experience, I implemented the Inside Out Experience—a 24-week program, which fosters communication, self-esteem, and positive behavioral expression through my private business. I have completed three other publications as part of her self-acclaimed Dr. Stephanie Chronicles series: Far from Perfect and But God…Will not HE Do It, and A Survivor’s Guide After Abuse: 3 P’s to getting back to me. In May 2023, I published the Second Edition a Therapist and Participant Manual of the Survivor’s Guide and have an 18 month program for individuals who have lost themselves. I am an active humanitarian and was awarded the Global Leadership award in 2018. More recently, I was inducted into the Cumberland County Women’s Hall of Fame in 2020. In 2019, I developed my own all-natural skin care line called “Testify Skin Care Boutique” which fosters healthy skin and positive self-esteem. I am an active member of the Hands Foundation and Global Legacy Leadership Institute. Currently, I am a psychologist, completing clinical research trials at the Hassman Research Institute in Berlin, New Jersey, but my passion is serving the Kingdom and walking by FAITH. I am is currently working on several projects including: expanding my skin care line into a mobile boutique and café, I have developed a foundation after the life and legacy of African American Inventor Bessie Blount Griffin, I am an active in her local community supporting inclusion and diversity, a senior editor with TASA Global Publishing and I have a 501c3, Redeemed for Life, that will provide sustaining housing for recovering addicts and survivors of domestic violence.
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?
The journey of my life has lead me through many dark valleys. In those dark times, I have learned the most about myself, others, and the world. In this journey called life, the process is inevitable. It’s something that cannot be skipped or jumped over. We must all go through it. In the midst of the process we learn something or gain insight that we have not been aware of at the time. In my own personal journey I have found the most important qualities to have along the way are: RESILIENCE, never stop moving forward. If you fail, push forward. If your heart gets broken, pick yourself up and love again. If you get hurt, you will heal. Just keep moving forward. FAITH: one must have unshakable faith even when we can’t see the results. If you don’t believe in something you will fall for everything. Believe in yourself even when nobody does. VISION: see beyond and look beyond the ordinary. Dream big. Dream it, believe it, become it.
The best advice I can give someone in their own process is this: No matter what happens in the process whether it be the following day or three months from now, Dream big, don’t give up, speak life to your vision, network with people who are smarter than you, look in the mirror everyday and say “I am who I am and I’m going to do this, no one can stop me but me”.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
As I looked at this question, immediately “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren came to my mind. This book was introduced to me back in 2009 by a friend but I never picked it up until I was in a relationship which led me to the Lord. I never understood why I never read that book then, but truly understood why I did when the relationship ended with a purpose. This book took me deep in my own thoughts and own purpose in life.
Proverbs 11:28 A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree.
This scripture was the beginning of wanting more for my life. I don’t want a purpose for things, I want to help
People, make a difference. It’s not about ME.
This book continued to break down my life little by little focusing on why I am here. It allowed me to find out what drives me, how to see things from a different perspective, and it gave me insight to why things happen. Everything has a purpose.
In the end, my life was forever changed to think differently, to accept things for what they are, and continue on this journey of life. We are not here for ourselves, but a bigger purpose to love and teach others through the gifts that are given to us.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Testifyboutique.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/testify_2020
Image Credits
Dr. Stephanie Iglesias
