Meet Stacey Stallings | Founder | Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stacey Stallings and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stacey, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
As the primary caretaker for my Mum, who was diagnosed with dementia, my mindset when it comes to work-life balance has changed. Previously, I bought into the concept of working hard and playing hard. I didn’t include rest and my plate was constantly full.
Taking care of my Mum has forced me to slow down and evaluate what I turn my attention towards. When I feel overwhelmed and work starts to spill into personal time, it’s often a sign that I might have too much on my plate.
It’s easy to get sucked into tasks and feel like you must be available 24/7 for both life and work. Taking time to disconnect from the outside world can be difficult, but it is necessary. Put down the phone, put away the computer, and take a deep breath. Giving yourself time to disconnect can help you refocus and go back to work refreshed and ready to take on anything that comes your way!
I’ve learned to say no without feeling guilty about achieving a better work-life balance, but it took some practice.
I’m getting comfortable with assertiveness by practicing when the stakes are lower. This helped me build the courage to say no in more difficult situations—after all, confidence is a muscle we all need to exercise.

I realize there will be times that it will be off-balance, out of your control or not scheduling my time effectively.
Being conscious of my calendar and planning has kept me on track. In this digital world, I still love pen to paper, hearing my thinking, and unlocking my creative mind. Putting my to-do’s on paper in a planner can help me employ better time management, and more easily keep track of events, appointments, errands, and tasks.
Being burnt out can affect not just your mental well-being, but also your physical health. To de-stress and restore, I recommend intentionally setting aside time to practice self-care—otherwise, it may never be a priority.
No matter how successful you are, you can’t control your last breath.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
During the pandemic, BOSS Paper Company (BPC), was born out of a need to re-connect with friends and loved ones.
Using my initials and each of our daughters’ initials, (Bria, Olivia, and Sophia), I combined the letters to create BOSS.
It was also born out of an expression of resilience, creativity, spirituality, and collective strength in the face of historical adversity, systemic racism, and social injustice.
Our greeting cards represent a spectrum of Afro-Caribbean themes and experiences. BPC designs showcase diverse skin tones, hair textures, and body types, fostering inclusivity and empowering individuals to see themselves represented. Here, greeting cards and stationery become more than just artistic pieces; they become vessels that carry the spirit of a diverse and multifaceted culture.
Our best sellers are our leather bound journals/sketchbooks. I personally use the blank pages for drawing out my ideas, musings, affirmations, and all-important to-do lists. Use it for anything, they make wonderful gifts.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One of the things I love about Atlanta, is there are so many things to do and places to go.
When you come for a visit, I’m cooking Jamaican food but I love trying new foods. Some of my favorites are Clean Juice, Forks and Flava, Fish Thyme, First Watch, Reveille, Lemongrass Thai Restaurant, Busy Bee, Falafel Cafe, Chioma’s African Restaurant – so many places, I could go on.
I would try to incorporate hiking. One of my goals is to hike to as many locations as I can, if not there are tons of local festivals and events.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I feel incredibly blessed to have my family in my life – BOSS stands for our daughters Bria, Olivia, Sophia and (Stacey). They truly are my inspiration.
Additionally, thank you to my husband, I am honored to be his wife. He is my voice of reason and my happy place.
I also want to shout out this little but mighty bookstore owned by Julia Davis, in Powder Springs called The Bookworm. Thank you Julia for your unwavering belief in our business. Your support strengthens our resolve to push boundaries and achieve greatness. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and look forward to celebrating many more milestones together.

Website: https://www.bosspapercompany.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bosspapercompany?igsh=MTliZ2VvcnJ4emRnZw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@bosspapercompany?feature=shared

Image Credits
N/A