Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Ford.
Hi Stephanie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In my mid-twenties, I hopped on to I-4 and made the “big” move from my hometown DeLand to the big city, Orlando. I was taking a chance on a fresh start and hoping the move would result in a new beginning in the big city. I restarted my journey to achieving my Associates degree from Valencia College with a focus in Hospitality.
The journey to figuring out my calling in life was a long one and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. While working towards my AA and then Bachelors, I juggled several jobs. From nannying to assisting a professor at UCF Rosen, going back to my childcare teacher roots and throwing in a home manager role in there. I eventually landed in a member services role for a local trade association that had me working one-on-one with members and planning events. Though I naturally fit in a leadership and community building role, the stress and fast pace became daunting. I had to make a change.
From there, I took a leap of faith and took on a role with a startup subscription box service running their customer experience department from the comfort of my own home. Our department was filled with the best human beings, each were passionate about the product and providing the best service. In the age of social media and an even higher level of expectation when it comes to “the customer is always right” though my work from home atmosphere was comforting, I was feeling the strain of running customer experience department as my experience was not for the faint of heart and it was time to move on.
Fast forward to the start of 2020, while looking for a new role at the beginning of the year and then… in swooped the pandemic. Not knowing much about this crazy beast they called COVID-19 the world of searching for a new job was terrifying. I didn’t want to find a new job in an office setting surround by people, I wanted to stay safe in the comforts of our home. The stress of not having a job and not being able to see family and friends really began to way on me and then a friend reached out needing some help with her small business. It started out as doing odd jobs here in there. I didn’t care what she needed help with, just put me to work. And because it was just two of us working together, I felt safe but also appreciated the company and interaction.
As time went on, my role continued to grow, helping with order fulfillment, social media marketing, food & product photography and video production. Who knew that after all this time, I would stumble on a career that was just a natural fit. I love taking photos, making and enjoying delicious food. I love creating a positive, inviting and helpful community. I love learning about nutrition and wellness. I love spreading the word about small businesses and this role truly combined many things I am so very passionate about into a career. So here I am… my passion for gardening, food, nutrition and wellness has turned into a career as a digital content creator assisting small local business in establishing and maintaining a digital presence.
In addition to creating content for small businesses, I manage my own digital presence, Sessie Side Up. I would describe my social presence as a positive, light-hearted and inspiring place where my community can learn about gardening and cooking tips and tricks, where I share some of my favorite recipes.
Another one of my favorite things to do in my spare time is visit one of the many fantastic main streets in Central Florida to shop for gifts or enjoy a great meal at a local restaurant. During the pandemic, this was a bit challenging, but by the miracle of technology, we could support local businesses by ordering in and shopping online. From St. Augustine to Disney Springs, discovering new favorite spots and then sharing them with others fuels me soul.
Spending time with my big beautiful family also feeds my soul. There are a lot of us, and growing up, we were always getting together to celebrate everything worth celebrating. So when the pandemic hit, I feel it was a struggle for us all to not be able to celebrate all of those important moments together. But we got creative. Drive by and Zoom birthday parties, weekly video calls and a dance party.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I moved to Orlando just as the economy tanked. Though I had a secure job at the time, the long-term effects of the recession made it a bit challenging to land a career down the road. Also, not all of us are born feeling a specific drive for towards a specific career. I always loved plants and food and photography but never thought it I could turn it into a career. The idea of turning something I am passionate about into a job was a foreign idea to me. How can you make money off a hobby?
I have done a lot of mindset work and self-reflection to discover what I really want out of life. For me it has never been about having all the fancy things. It has always been about creating a space for others to feel safe and included, inspired and loved, empowered and understood. Connecting with others on a deeper level, sharing my creativity and love for others with the world in hopes that it will encourage others to do the same.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I stumbled up a career as Visual Content Creator and Social Media Coordinator. I assist small businesses with building a social media presence. My passion really lies in supporting food and gardening related businesses.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy? Gosh… there is just so much! Enjoying a delicious meal surrounded by family and friends. Cooking and baking in my kitchen. Working in my garden. Discovering new local restaurants and shops, as well as cool products created by small businesses.
Contact Info:
- Email: stephanie@sessiesideup.com
- Website: www.sessiesideup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sessiesideup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SessieSideUp
