Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Inspiring Women: Michelle Stager

Bob & Michelle Stager, Nolan-11yrs, Julia-8 yrs

kikaPaprika: Hi Michelle, tell us a little about your background and who you are.
Michelle: My name is Michelle Stager. I was born and raised in Michigan. My parents married very young and had me when they were 13 and 14 years old. They divorced when I was one year old and my dad left my older brother and myself with my mom. It was a very difficult life. My mother being a single teenage parent did the best she knew how, but that doesn't always mean the best choices. Let's just say I had a very difficult childhood. When I got into junior high I moved in with my dad for a few years, then at age 14 I moved back with my mom. In high school I was class president and a straight "A" student. I graduated 9th out of 400 students and received scholarships for college. I was accepted into one of the top nursing schools in the country, Madonna University, and I received a bachelor degree in nursing. I worked really hard during that time to put myself through school with no financial support from my family.

kP: How do you feel the circumstances of your past have affected who you are today?
M: Even though things were difficult growing up, I feel it made me a stronger woman. I think I see things in a different light because of my past. Coming from the ghetto made me have the desire to be educated and financially secure and so I worked hard for those things. One of my life quotes is, “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.”

kP: How do you keep a positive outlook on life?
M: When things get tough I tell myself to keep going. I try not to lose sight of where I came from and what I am becoming. I know if I think negatively, my life will become negative, so I try to focus on positive thoughts. All through the day I am telling myself, "Shine bright, choose joy, bless others." Saying this helps me keep my head up high and smile and give joy to those around me. Sometimes it’s a day by day thing and sometimes it’s hour by hour. I believe having a good support system is very important, too. I love my husband and children, and being around them is a joy for me. I’ve been doing conference calls with this year's keynote speakers from the kikaPaprika Runway conference, Susan Iida-Pederson and Jenny Aiello. They have been helping me to understand how to take care of myself first, then everything else will fall into place.

kP: What first got you interested in women's issues?
M: From a very young age I knew I wanted a different life for myself. I remember being in kindergarten and wanting to help others and be a nurse. When I went to college I was able to pursue this. I worked as a nurse for a while then later entered the labor and delivery field. I always loved being around and inspiring women. I like impacting people’s lives in a personal way.

kP: That sounds like a perfect fit with kikaPaprika. Is that what drew you to the company?
After I had my daughter and son I stopped working in the nursing field. I decided to start a home business. I started with kika in the beginning in January 2008. What drew me to it was the concept and the mission, and also that it makes women look and feel good. Now that I wasn’t in nursing anymore I thought this was a good way to stay connected with other women and continue impacting their lives in a different way.

kP: How do you fit your business into all the other things you do in life?
M: I have a schedule that I follow rigorously. I have working hours and family time. I budget my time as much as possible. I am flexible within this, though. Sometimes I just have to find what works best and then have open communication with my husband and kids, customers and friends about it.

kP: How did you make kikaPaprika uniquely yours?
M: I host a lot of nursing and health care events so I started featuring kikaPaprika clothing there. I feel health care providers “get it” as far as the importance of eco-chic clothing and taking care of the world in this way.
Also, because of my past I have learned the importance of not judging others. I treat everyone equally and I feel this has really helped me in my business to be successful.

kP: How do you relax when you are not working?
I practice yoga two times a week. I started doing this about one year ago and it really helps me. Like I said before, I've been doing conference calls with this year's keynote speakers Susan and Jenny, so to take time for myself I usually go and get a massage. Our family is spiritual too. We are catholic so we find a lot of motivational strength from God.
"Michelle is proof that with hard work and determination, you can accomplish anything.
~Kim Shaw President & Founder

2 comments:

  1. THANK-YOU, MICHELLE, FOR SHARING YOUR LIFE STORY . IT IS REALLY INSPIRING TO ME! I ESPECIALLLY LIKE YOUR QUOTE, "SHINE BRIGHT, CHOOSE JOY, BLESS OTHERS!" THAT'S A WONDERFUL WAY OF LIVING EACH DAY.

    I BECAME FAMILIAR WITH KIKA P THROUGH KATHY LEIGHTON IN TEXAS.

    THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR STORY! LYNN HILKER ORLANDO, FL

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  2. Wow, what an amazing story. Many thanks to Michelle for sharing. Michelle is an awesome consultant who has been an inspiration for many others. Thank you.

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