Stacie Wimer, Clinical Specialist, Podcast Host and Aspiring Author, Man Shopping with Stacie
Stacie is an unabashed 43-year-old twice-divorced single mother of an amazing 16-year-old daughter and the best black lab shelter mutt ever. She is a pharmaceutical clinical sales specialist by day and a writer, podcaster, cooking and baking enthusiast by night.
She is a true extrovert with a passion for helping people. Her podcast, Man Shopping with Stacie, has been downloaded over 13,500 times in 46 countries and 957 cities worldwide. Stacie tells her relatable, transparent dating and life stories to help singles over 40 find more happiness in life on the podcast.
She shares her practical tips and strategies you can implement every day to experience more joy.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
Instagram allows me to share personal photos that correspond to the stories I tell on my podcast. So, listeners can not only hear about my experiences but see them, as well. I believe this leads to a greater connection between me and my audience.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
I'm a true extrovert who boldly shares details of my personal life, thoughts, and feelings for all the world to hear and see. I think being real and relatable is helpful to others who are going through a divorce, raising children as a single parent, or experiencing the woes of dating later in life.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
Sharing my personal divorce and dating stories helps with my self-discovery. I am working hard to become a better version of myself. Verbalizing stories from my life every week on the podcast is a tremendous way for me to recognize my own behavioural patterns and feelings.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Be brave! If your story can help someone else, share it!
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
When podcast listeners reach out to me and thank me for sharing my stories, it motivates me to continue to be open and vulnerable.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
I'm proud that I was brave enough to build a peaceful new life for my daughter and me. I am setting an example for her that I am a strong woman who has prioritized her and my health and happiness above all else.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
Instagram or through my podcast meet and greet events I hold once per month.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
My degree is in communication. I have utilized interviewing, interpersonal, nonverbal, and public speaking skills throughout my career in Pharmaceutical Sales and now with my podcast and upcoming book release.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
To not let self-doubt creep in. Imposters syndrome can be debilitating. I tell my listeners all the time that I'm not an expert at anything. I simply share my advice and opinions in an effort to help others.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
I admire the willingness to collaborate and share gifts and talents. I've been amazed and humbled by the generosity of other creatives.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
Outside of my efforts to help others experiencing the challenges of dating and divorce, my daughter and I share a passion for cooking and baking. An important way I show my love for others is through food. I'm happy my daughter enjoys time in the kitchen with me.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you managed it?
Positive. My daughter and I have flourished in the peacefulness of isolation, and our relationship has blossomed even more. As life slowed down, it created space and time for me to really reflect on the changes I'm going through personally. Creatively, I developed the ideas and strategies for launching my podcast and book in 2020. I'm grateful for the slowdown and inspiration I found in loneliness.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
I have many people in my life who I consider mentors both professionally and personally. I enjoy learning from others and am always open to listening to people who have different points of view or life experiences.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Collaborate with others and accept their help. I never would've developed my podcast or been writing a book if I didn't ask for and receive the help of others along the way. It's impossible to be an expert at everything.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
I believe people often give up or don't get started in the first place is often because of self-doubt/imposters syndrome. I think we often wonder if what we offer is truly valuable to others, and we worry too much about how we may be judged. So, it's very liberating to recognize that each of us offers a unique insight into the world.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
"When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." - Maya Angelou.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
I'm very inspired by strong female-owned companies like my hero SJP (Sara Jessica Parker) and Spanx.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
I define success as making someone smile or laugh every day. Nothing brings me more joy than a note from a listener or friend telling me that they can relate to my stories and that they appreciate what I'm doing. My stories aren't that outlandish or unique. What is unique about me, I think, is that I proudly share the good, the bad, and the embarrassing. Being true to myself and helping others is insanely gratifying.