It’s More Than a Brand, It’s a Way of Thinking!

For the past two yea,s Stephanie Hall has been serving the Research Triangle community with her nonprofit,  iShine iRock Period. There, she mentors people through the healing process, whether it’s related to anxiety, past trauma or even losing weight, Stephanie is here to help.

Stephanie says, “What makes me different is that I’ve personally gone through a high level of suffering, and I’ve struggled with mental illness. I’ve been in those shoes, and I’ve learned how to recover and heal through unique methods. My personal experience also gives me empathy toward my clients. I know what they’re going through, and I can help them get through it.”

Stephanie is what we like to call a Local Business Hero, a self-made entrepreneur who brings true value to her community. High standards of professionalism and the strong work ethics of small business owners like Stephanie are the infrastructure of the Raleigh/Durham economy.

Every dollar that Stephanie makes goes back to supporting the local business ecosystem and the community. She  runs her nonprofit locally.She moved to the Raleigh/Durham area when she was a child and has been here for nearly 30 years. She often gives to the homeless and people in need as she encounters them on her long walks through the city.

We sat down with Stephanie for a quick interview –

Why do you do what you do?

“I have dealt with mental illness for over 10 years and at one point, I attempted suicide. I called 5 different people but everyone was busy or didn’t answer. I don’t mean to discredit anyone but it wasn’t meant for me to rely on anyone – God saved me that day. I want to show people that God loves you and He is here to save you like He did for me. Overall, I don’t want people to feel alone in their darkest hour which is why I started iShine iRock Period. People can call me if they don’t have anyone else to call. I’ve dealt with suicide, depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety and I want people to know they’re not crazy, they just need stability and some changes in their life and that’s what God put me here to do.”

How did you get into this profession?

“I’ve worked in customer service for over 20 years and in the IT field for 13 years and one thing I learned is that people need someone they can rely on to go about their day with peace of mind – whether it’s something with their software or something deeply personal.”

We asked Stephanie if there was anything unusual that’s ever happened to her while running the nonprofit and she told us a story where she knew God was at work.

“Right before I went full-time with iShine, I worked in IT where I helped people construct or deconstruct their IT infrastructure. It was my last week and I went to somebody’s office who was struggling to get rid of everything. She was emailing a ton of people, but nobody responded back to her. I told her about my nonprofit and she gave me everything: monitors, paper, industrial staplers, office supplies…I went home with 3 or 4 boxes FULL of stuff! I thank God for putting me in the right place at the right time because that was the confirmation I needed to take iShine iRock Period full-time.“

If you could share one tip with the readers for choosing a mentorship program, what would it be?

“You want a mentor who has gone through similar struggles because their tips and guidance comes from their personal experience. They have empathy for you so they know how exactly how to help you apply those methods, and what you should be prepared for. Furthermore, the program should be based around your own time-range and terms, it shouldn’t feel shoved down your throat. Otherwise, you may not be so willing to apply the method because you’re feeling forced when it should be done with your own free will.“

For those of you who are looking for a professional mentor to get through your personal struggles, or even somebody to talk to when nobody else is there, Stephanie and the iShine iRock Period team should be your first choice. Stephanie offers a no-cost 30-day program to women who are dealing with depression and anxiety. Call Stephanie at (919) 897-7283, or visit www.ishineperiod.com – It’s More Than a Brand, It’s a Way of Thinking!