Meet Elizabeth St. Hilaire

We recently connected with Elizabeth St. Hilaire and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Elizabeth with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

As the eldest of five children in a middle-class family, I took on the responsibility of caring for my younger siblings from around the age of ten. Our parents instilled in us the importance of hard work and financial independence, requiring us to pay for many of our own expenses. By the time I was 12, I was babysitting, delivering newspapers, raking leaves, and shoveling driveways to earn money. When I had the chance to travel to Spain in high school, my parents gave their permission but not financial support. Determined to go, I got a job at the local McDonald’s and babysat daily, eventually earning the $1,000 needed for the trip. Previous to that, in eighth grade, my parents informed me that they wouldn’t cover my college expenses. I put myself through Syracuse University, working 80 hours a week every summer and 20 hours a week during the school year. That commitment to hard work has stayed with me ever since.

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?

Teaching, both online and in person, forms the cornerstone of my income. When I lead in-person workshops across the country and around the world, I thrive on the connections I build with my students. Many of them reach out afterward, saying things like, “You changed my life.” It’s incredible to see them discover a new passion that ignites their soul and gives them purpose. That’s what makes my job truly special—connecting with people and inspiring them long after our time together ends.

In 2025, I’ll be teaching in Italy, Ireland, and Egypt. These travel retreats are extraordinary experiences, and registration is currently open on my website.

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?

The three most impactful qualities that have shaped my journey are hard work, dedication, and tenacity. There were times when I was exhausted but kept pushing forward, moments when I felt like giving up but held on, and periods when I persevered, trusting that success would come through persistence.

My best advice to those just starting out is to embrace hard work. Life as a full-time artist is challenging—you’ll need to work twice as hard as someone who punches a clock for someone else. You’ll pay more taxes, put in longer hours, and face more struggles. But the joy of sharing your gift with others, setting your own schedule, and pursuing your dreams makes it all worthwhile.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

My father played a crucial role in helping me develop the skills and knowledge needed for success. As a self-employed insurance salesman, he constantly encouraged his children to pursue self-employment. I grew up hearing about the benefits of not having to commute, attend meetings, or answer to anyone else. “The harder you work, the more money you make,” Big Al would say, often comparing self employment to working for someone else. He also advised me to purchase disability insurance at age 30, start a SEP IRA at the same age, and ultimately invest in real estate. The wisdom Big Al shared about self-employment has set me up for a bright future.

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Image Credits

all photos are taken by me

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