Meet Stephanie Phillips

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stephanie Phillips. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Stephanie, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

“Being the only one in the room has been the story of my life.”

I’m mixed race—born to a white mother and a Black father—and raised by my white family. That meant I spent my childhood moving between identities, cultures, and expectations. In white spaces I was often “too black,” and in black spaces I was often “too white.” For a long time, that felt isolating. But over time, I realized it gave me access to something rare: the ability to see humanity from multiple vantage points at once.

My heritage is layered—European and African bloodlines woven together in a way that tells a broader story than any single label ever could. I carry ancestry from places as varied as the Netherlands, Germany, France, Poland, Lithuania, Sweden, and Ireland… and from West and Central African roots in Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, and Cameroon. It’s a lineage of continents, cultures, and histories that meet inside me.

When you grow up with that kind of tapestry, you learn early that identity is not either/or—it’s both/and. You learn to listen closely, understand multiple perspectives, and move with sensitivity through spaces that weren’t built with you in mind. You learn to read nuance, bridge gaps, and offer context others might miss.

And most importantly, you learn to find beauty everywhere—in every culture, every shade, every story—because all of it lives within you.

So when I walk into a room as the only one who looks like me, I’m not uncomfortable. I’m used to navigating in-between spaces. I’m used to translating, understanding, and connecting. Where some see division, I see overlap. Where others feel unfamiliarity, I see opportunity for understanding.

My mixed heritage has become one of my greatest professional strengths. It taught me to stand confidently in who I am, to bring the full spectrum of my perspective into conversations, and to make rooms better because of the diversity I carry—not despite it.

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?

Thank you for asking — my work is truly an extension of my life, my values, and the way I believe we’re meant to move through the world.

I’m the founder of Laguna Lily, a holistic wellness brand centered around helping people slow down, reconnect with their bodies, and return to what feels sacred and nourishing. My work blends nutrition, lifestyle guidance, daily rituals, and a signature framework I created called the Five Sacred Rhythms™ — Sleep, Nutrition, Movement, Detox, and Spiritual Connection. These rhythms help people build a life that feels grounded, balanced, and aligned with their natural energy.

What feels most exciting about my work is that it’s not about quick fixes — it’s about helping people create a lifestyle that actually supports them. I love taking big, overwhelming wellness concepts and making them simple, peaceful, and doable. I want people to feel like wellness is a soft place to land, not another thing on their to-do list.

Laguna Lily is also evolving into more of an educational and community-centered space. I’m building out a full ecosystem of blogs, videos, guided practices, seasonal wellness resets, and supportive programs that meet people where they are. My goal is to make holistic living feel approachable and deeply human.

What’s new:
I’m currently launching a series of signature wellness journeys called Root, Rise, and Radiate. These programs guide clients through the Five Sacred Rhythms with weekly guidance, seasonal food support, rituals, and lifestyle practices that help them reconnect with their natural flow. I’ll also be releasing more written resources, self-paced guides, and the seasonal “From Chaos to Calm” holiday reset to help people navigate stressful seasons with more peace and intention.

Everything I create is designed to help people feel more connected — to their bodies, their intuition, their daily choices, and the rhythms of the natural world. My hope is that Laguna Lily becomes a space where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to create lives that truly feel good to live.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, there are three qualities that have shaped my journey more than anything else: intuition, resilience, and the willingness to grow through discomfort.

1. Intuition — learning to trust my inner voice.
For a long time, I followed the path I thought I should take. But every major breakthrough in my life happened when I trusted the quiet pull inside me — the one that said, “There’s something more aligned for you.” Intuition has guided every step of Laguna Lily, from developing the Five Sacred Rhythms to transitioning into wellness full-time.

Advice: Slow down enough to actually hear yourself. Intuition doesn’t shout — it whispers. Spend time alone, journal, ask yourself real questions, and make small decisions based on what feels right in your body. That’s how you build the muscle.

2. Resilience — choosing to keep going, even when the path is not clear.
Building a brand, shifting careers, raising a family, and reinventing yourself takes a lot of heart. There were moments I questioned everything — but resilience helped me stay anchored to my purpose. Resilience isn’t about being tough; it’s about being adaptable and staying connected to your “why,” even when things feel uncertain.

Advice: Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Take imperfect action. When things get hard, remind yourself that pressure creates clarity and growth. Keep moving — small steps count.

3. Curiosity and continual learning — being willing to evolve.
Every new chapter in my work has come from asking questions, being curious, and staying teachable. I’ve studied nutrition, holistic living, seasonal rhythms, spiritual connection, and human behavior — not because I had to, but because I’m genuinely fascinated by what helps people heal and thrive. That open-mindedness keeps my work fresh and authentic.

Advice: Become a student of the things that light you up. Read, listen, explore, experiment. Let yourself be a beginner. The world opens up when you stop needing to know everything and start being willing to learn anything.

If I could offer one overarching piece of advice:
Your journey will ask you to grow in ways you don’t expect. Don’t run from the discomfort — it’s usually pointing you toward your next expansion. Trust yourself, stay grounded in your purpose, and allow your path to unfold with curiosity instead of fear.

That’s where the magic is.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

For me, the most impactful thing my parents did wasn’t tied to a traditional upbringing. They weren’t together, and I didn’t meet my dad until 2002. My mom passed away from cancer in 2008 at 46, and my dad is still alive but dealing with declining health and dialysis. I do love them for the roles they played in my life, but the real impact came from witnessing their health struggles up close.

Both of them were deeply tied to the medical system, reliant on medications, and taught to manage symptoms instead of look for root causes. That was their normal. And as a kid and young adult watching it unfold, it became impossible not to notice how little true support or healing they actually received.

Seeing that shaped me more than anything else. It made me question why so many people end up sick, why prevention isn’t prioritized, and what health could look like outside of prescriptions. Their experiences pushed me toward holistic wellness — not out of judgment, but out of a desire to choose a different path and help others do the same.

Their journeys, even with all their challenges, clarified my purpose. They showed me exactly why I do the work I do today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.lagunalily.com
• Instagram: laguna_lily
• Youtube: Lagunalily

Image Credits

Meredith Lynn Photography