We recently connected with Stephanie Solomon and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Stephanie , you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?
My mum deserves the greatest recognition for instilling in me a spirit of generosity. Having grown up in an orphanage, she has faced immense hardship and suffering, which has only amplified her empathy and generosity. Her parenting style emphasized sharing and inclusivity, teaching me that every individual matters. Growing up in this nurturing environment, I believe that my own personal experiences and upbringing played a critical role in the development of my generous nature. Despite the challenges I have faced in my life, I have always strived to never make anyone feel excluded or unloved. Even at my lowest moments, I continued to give, and I have found that following this philosophy has never left me empty-handed. I distinctly remember a teacher or mentor once saying to me, “The thrill of taking lasts a day, but the thrill of giving lasts a lifetime.” This phrase deeply resonated with me, and I hope to inspire more people to embrace this mindset of giving in their own lives.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I was born and raised in a small town where I learned the importance of making a positive impact on the world. My career in healthcare, specifically in orthodontics, allowed me to develop a deep understanding of patient care. But as I grew older, I felt a need to use my skills and expertise for something greater than just my professional life.
That’s when I discovered neurolinguistic programming and hypnotherapy, which opened up a whole new world of opportunities for me. I found myself drawn to the issue of infant loss and the stigma surrounding it, and I knew that I wanted to use my skills to make a real difference in this area.
I channeled my passion into writing children’s books. My first book, #knowyourworth, was a call to action for others to pursue their dreams and embrace a magical life. My second book, Delicious Dreams, was a celebration of imagination and the importance of staying curious. However, it was my third book, Aloha ‘Oe, that truly reflected my deep commitment to changing the narrative around infant loss. It was inspired by my amazing friend Ashley Baker’s experience of losing her daughter Luna at 33 weeks, and the profound impact it had on their family, especially Amber, her firstborn daughter.
Through my writing, I hope to create a safe space for families who have experienced infant loss to process their grief and find healing. I believe that by fostering understanding and compassion around this issue, we can leave the world a better place for future generations.
My work with Ashley has also led us to start Luna’s Light, a pending 501c3 organization that will serve as a resource for families going through this unimaginable time. We are continuously looking for other platforms and companies to partner with and get more recognition and involvement in the infant loss and stillbirth community. Our goal is to hold our first community walk event this November in honor of Luna, put on by Emma’s Footprints.
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?
As I reflect on my journey, I realize that there were three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that had the most significant impact on my growth and success: resilience, empathy, and resourcefulness.
Resilience was something that I learned early on in life. I faced numerous challenges and setbacks, but I always found a way to bounce back stronger. I realized that life is unpredictable, and things don’t always go as planned, but it’s important to keep pushing forward and not give up. To develop resilience, I recommend focusing on self-care, building a support network, and learning from failures. Not repeating bad habits or things that didn’t work out. Failure is just research in my eyes and if you have failures then that means you’re trying and learning along the way.
Empathy was another critical skill that I developed over time. As I interacted with different people, I learned to put myself in their shoes and understand their perspectives. This helped me to build stronger relationships and communicate more effectively. To improve empathy, I suggest actively listening to others, being open-minded, and seeking to understand before being understood.
Resourcefulness was the third quality that had a significant impact on my journey. I learned to be creative and find solutions to problems, even when resources were limited. Being resourceful helped me to overcome obstacles and achieve my goals. To become more resourceful, I recommend being proactive, seeking out opportunities, and taking calculated risks. Also never taking a “no” from someone who can’t give you a “YES!”
Developing resilience, empathy, and resourcefulness are critical for anyone’s journey. With these qualities, we can overcome challenges, build stronger relationships, and achieve our goals. From my own experience I believe with those skills you are set up to be of value & not just a success.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Yes! I realize that one of the most fulfilling aspects has been connecting with others who share similar values and goals. That’s why I am actively seeking opportunities to collaborate and partner with individuals who are committed to making a positive impact on the world.
One of the ways I hope to do this is by being a guest speaker on podcasts. I have a passion for discussing a wide range of topics, including but not limited to, infant loss, entrepreneurship, life after divorce, travel, and authentic friendships. Through these conversations, I hope to inspire and empower others to pursue their passions and create meaningful change in their own lives and communities.
I believe that by working together and sharing our experiences and knowledge, we can make a real difference in the world. I am excited about the prospect of connecting with like-minded individuals who are dedicated to leaving the world better than we found it.
So, if you’re interested in collaborating or partnering with me, please don’t hesitate to reach out either via email: [email protected], LinkedIn or on any of my social media platforms (IG/FB: pursuitofstephanie) I’m eager to learn from others, share my own experiences, and work towards making a positive impact together.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pursuitofstephanie.com
- Instagram: pursuitofstephanie
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-solomon-48533b1b?
- Other: https://www.flowcode.com/page/pursuitofstephanie
Image Credits
Isha Kipp-Cook: ishthis_photogtaphy