In the Arena, success isn’t always a straight line. It’s not the degree, the title, or the perfectly laid-out plan. Sometimes it’s the zigzags, the floundering, the missed bedtimes — and the bold decision to step into something new.
Stephanie’s story is one of rediscovery, reinvention, and redefining success — on her terms.
“What do you actually want your life to be?”
That was the question her mentor, Steve Napolitan, posed when Stephanie found herself depleted — managing a sales team, missing time with her family, and watching a career she had once loved become something that no longer served her.
“I had this great business and this great life… I designed my life, that’s our thing: design the life that you want and build the business around that,” Stephanie shared. But somewhere along the way, the business took over. Long hours, internal battles with corporate leadership, and no time to breathe left her wondering how to reclaim that sense of freedom.
Then came a layoff — what many would see as a setback — but for Stephanie, it was a catalyst. “Most people think it’s a bad thing to get laid off… but for me, it was the best thing. It was like a blessing.”
From Floundering to Thriving
Stephanie’s early career path wasn’t linear. “I floundered quite a bit,” she admitted. Like many, she stumbled through high school, unsure of what was next. College wasn’t a clear path either. “I didn’t really know what I wanted to do,” she said. “So I wasn’t super motivated.”
She moved through the restaurant industry, explored different opportunities, and slowly pieced together what lit her up. Eventually, she found her spark in marketing. “It was one of the first times that I really felt valued. Somebody was excited to see me, they cared what I had to say, they trusted me.”
That sense of value fueled her growth. She rose in her career, became a mentor, a leader, and eventually, a coach — helping CEOs and founders “design a life and business that actually works together.”
Along the way, she also embraced her role as a mother, learning to balance ambition with presence. “My daughter would write her name into my schedule… 8 PM: Read me a book. Tuck me in.” It was a wake-up call. “I didn’t know how to leave, but I knew I had to.”
Redefining Clients, Redefining Success
One of Stephanie’s most transformative realizations came during a workshop on building a business around your wow clients — those you truly love working with, who energize you and elevate your work.
“I was like, man, I have a wow-ish client.” And as she reflected on her roster, she realized many of them were actually “OW” clients — draining, misaligned, and out of sync with her purpose.
She made the shift. “We have to let go of the people who are not meant to work with us to make space for the right people. Otherwise, that’s when we end up working more hours, hurting ourselves, and taking the joy out of what we do.”
The shift wasn’t just tactical. It was deeply personal. It meant trusting her instincts, honoring her energy, and giving herself permission to say no. “We just have to listen to that. We have to trust our gut. And know that it’s okay to say… I don’t think I’m the perfect fit for you.”
Be Brave. Be Kind. Be You.
Today, Stephanie coaches CEO’s, leaders and other entrepreneurs — often moms like herself — through deep mindset work, business clarity, and sustainable growth. She’s proof that the floundering has a purpose. That transformation happens when we stop trying to fit into someone else’s mold and start choosing our own path.
She’s not selling quick wins or seven-minute success. She’s coaching people to build lives that work — not just on paper, but in real time.
“It’s not a magic bullet. It didn’t take you a month to get here. It’s not going to take you a month to get to your next step… But in 90 days, you can be on a completely different path.”
It’s that kind of honest, grounded perspective that makes Stephanie’s voice resonate. She’s been there. She knows the weight of imposter syndrome, the pull of perfectionism, and the quiet yearning for something more.
And now, she’s the guide holding space for others to step into something bigger.
“The thing I say to my kids is: be brave, be kind… and go boldly in the direction of your desires.”
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