Are you living your dream and achieving the financial success that goes along with it?
If you're like most women, you've probably been putting your career goals on hold, focusing
on family needs, or something else.
But there's a way to fast-track your future success and still handle home and family matters.
Today, we're joined by one such entrepreneur.
Very special and motivated woman here.
Stephanie Carter, Founder Design Director for the Southern Fashion House, who began
her success with an online education.
Good Morning, Stephanie.
Good Morning, how are you?
Good.
I love what you're wearing, and I know it has to do with what you design.
What is that?
Thank you, this is Judith March.
This is just a little dress that we recently designed.
And you took an idea and went with it, and have become very successful.
But I want our viewers to hear your story because I find it to be so passionate.
You start college at Troy.
You have no idea what you want to do to.
No idea.
Happens to most of us.
Tell me about that.
Yes, I went in Undecided, and three years into college they were like "Okay, it's time
to decide."
Three years Undecided?
Three years Undecided.
What were you taking?
Electives?
Electives and the things that you have to take.
And so, I decided to go into Business and Marketing at Troy, and one of my teachers,
Dr. Steve Garrett inspired me by a class project.
We had to create our own business.
And so...
And what did you create?
I created Deja Vu, which was supposed to be a retail store.
A retail women's clothing store.
Okay.
Because I love to shop.
And most women love to shop.
So, okay, we can relate.
So he gives you this project.
You take this idea, and then what?
Then, I actually do it.
You're kidding?
You actually go to the bank and pull out money and start?
I enjoyed the project so much.
It inspired me so much.
I was like, okay.
I sold my car for $4,000.
I went to the bank, and I opened a checking account, and I did it.
Does Dr. Garrett know what you're doing?
Absolutely.
And what is he saying?
He loves it.
He's actually in charge of the Marketing Group at Troy and they come visit our corporate
office a lot.
So while you're going to Troy, you're taking your classes, I'm assuming, still.
You're starting this business.
How are you doing both?
Well, actually the teachers at Troy, then, and still now, were very flexible and they
allowed me to fax my homework in.
That was before online so much.
And then, at the end, my 4th year in college, I did online classes so I could also balance
the new business and finish up college.
So how did those online classes benefit you because I can kind of see the flexibility
around them?
Absolutely.
They allowed me to be able to do my job, finish college, and further my career.
So you're like such a great example here for many women out there who say "You know, I've
got so much going on, and I don't have the time to go back to school..."
And the online route is a very positive one.
Absolutely.
They offer over 200, I think, divisions.
And most of all of those are online.
And how has this Deja Vu entrepreneur gone for you?
Well it actually went into Judith March.
That's the wholesale clothing line, and we also have a clothing line by Missy Roberton
from Duck Dynasty.
And what other stuff do you design?
I design maxi dresses.
We have a game day line, which also Troy inspired me.
Because when I would go to the games, everybody wanted those school colors.
And so we started-- Now we're licensed for all those CC teams.
So, we do game day dresses and game day T-shirts.
So, it's everything from casual to dressy.
And I do want a lot of our viewers out there to know that the reality here is that you
are also a mother.
You are expecting.
So, in your own words, how do you balance it all?
Whew, I struggle with balance every day of my life, but you just have to keep your priorities
straight, and it is important to balance.
That's the great thing about Troy offering online classes today - that it allows women
to balance and actually create their own career.
If you had to go back and get some more online courses, for whatever reason - maybe to expand
the business, would you see yourself being able to do it again at Troy university?
Absolutely.
Yeah?
Absolutely.
What would you say is the take-away from just what Dr. Garrett did for you, how he inspired
you, where you are today, and the online opportunities for women?
I just think that it was such a large university, but yet you felt so at-home.
They offered so many things to make you-- It's like they want you to succeed.
And let me tell you, you are the epitome of succeeding.
Thank you.
There's no more excuses.
If you think it...
You can do it.
Thank you so much.
Good luck to you and to your unborn child.
Is it a girl or a boy?
We don't know.
Okay.
Good luck.
And if you'd like to read more on today's topic, you can also visit us at TheBalancingAct.com,
or get a little bit social and log on to Facebook.com/theblanacingactfans and check out Troy University online.