Meet Stephanie O

We were lucky to catch up with Stephanie O recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Stephanie 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?

I think my work ethic was shaped the first time I failed at something that really mattered and chose to get back up anyway.

When I was a teenager, applying to university in the UK, I thought I had it all figured out. I was coming from Nigeria, with strong grades overall, but when the international exam results came in, I had an E in Math…one step above failing. Not only was it humiliating in a Nigerian household where academic excellence is the standard, but the school I applied to flat-out rejected me.

But then something unexpected happened. The principal at another school saw something in me. He basically said to my parents, “She has potential, and one grade shouldn’t hold her back. We’ll accept her on one condition: She retakes the exam and proves it.”

So that winter, I walked 30 minutes each way, twice a week, in the cold, to a tutor’s house. I studied relentlessly and retook the exam — and this time, I got an A.

That A did more than get me into my dream university. It shifted my mindset. Until then, I’d believed what others had said; that I was “slow at math,” that maybe I just wasn’t good enough. But working for that A taught me that what you work for, you earn, and you are not defined by one setback.

That’s the backbone of how I work to this day. Whether it’s building a multi-6-figure side business while raising two kids and working a full-time corporate job, or pushing through the days when it feels like nothing is clicking. I learned early that you can’t let one “E”, or one rejection, or one hard day, define you. If you’re willing to put in the work, walk through the cold, and try again, you can change the narrative of your life.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I help small business owners, especially underrepresented ones, grow and automate their online businesses with ads, AI and automation, so they can create freedom, visibility, and impact without burning out.

I know what it feels like to juggle it all. I built my own multi-6-figure business as a side hustle while working full time in corporate America and raising two kids. Before that, I transitioned from a decades-long career in Finance to Tech by taking a 6-month Data Analytics bootcamp 3 months after having my first child. The hustle? I’ve lived it!

And all of it has shown me just how much our culture glorifies hustle and business, especially for women like me, without giving us the systems and support to actually thrive.

That’s what makes my work so meaningful to me. I partner with ambitious small business owners to design the back-end systems and marketing strategies that allow them to consistently attract potential customers, nurture leads, and generate sales, without being tied to their phones or burning the candle at both ends. I like to say: I help you run your business, so your business stops running you.

What excites me most is seeing my clients realize they don’t have to choose between being present for their families and building something impactful. They can have both, and they can do it their way.

Right now, I’m also expanding beyond just done-for-you agency services. I’m working on a new program designed to help small business owners implement AI-powered systems tailored to their business, brand, and audience. I’ve seen so many entrepreneurs trying to piece together generic AI prompts and tools, only to end up with messy processes, wasted time and lackluster results. My Branded AI Suite will help business owners leverage AI strategically, whether that’s automating lead generation, streamlining operations, or scaling marketing, so they can work smarter, stay on brand, and grow with confidence.

If there’s one thing I’d want readers to know, it’s this: you shouldn’t have to do more to grow. You just need smarter, more intentional systems that actually work for you.

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?

Resilience was the first thing I had to develop, because the truth is, you’re going to hear no, you’re going to fail, and you’re going to doubt yourself. My advice? Don’t take failure personally. See it as feedback and keep moving.

The second is strategic thinking. Building a business while working a full-time corporate job and raising kids forced me to get really intentional about where to put my time and energy. You can’t do everything, but if you focus on the right things, you’ll get further, faster. I used to suck at making decisions, but I learned to ask myself: Will this action get me closer to my goals? What can wait without derailing the plan? That mindset will help you avoid burning out trying to do it all and help you grow sustainably.

And finally, self-trust. For years, I tried to fit into other people’s expectations. Eventually, I realized you can’t build something truly fulfilling if you’re not showing up as yourself. If you can learn to quiet the noise of what everyone else thinks you should be, and listen to what feels true for you, you’ll find where your power is.

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?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was speak life into me. They always spoke positive words that built up my confidence and self-belief, even in seasons when I doubted myself. They made me believe I could do anything I put my mind to, and that mindset has carried me through every stage of my life.

And it wasn’t just words, it was their unwavering support. No matter what I was pursuing, they stood behind me, encouraged me, and reminded me of my own strength when I couldn’t see it for myself. That foundation of love and belief has shaped who I am and it’s what I hope to pass on to my own children, and to everyone I have the privilege of working with.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.themodernad.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themodernad