Meet Stacie...

Article Published In CanvasRebel - December 2023

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stacie Shifflett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Stacie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The idea for the company, including various aspects of Modern Consciousness®, was gifted to me in meditation. It became an all-consuming idea that simply wouldn’t leave me alone! I resisted it for a couple of years for various reasons – I wasn’t certain I wanted to start a new business; it’s a business model in which I had no experience; plus, who was I to step into this grand role? I found the entire concept a little daunting.

I literally resisted the idea for about two years, but the idea persisted daily until one day, in exasperation really, I entered into a meditation telling the Universe “Okay! You won’t leave me alone so how exactly do you want me to begin?” And with that intention, I received a single word: write. Now this wasn’t the first time I had been guided to write and I was certainly capturing all of the information was receiving, but what was different this time is that I surrendered fully to the guidance and the concept and agreed without question that I would write. What I didn’t know at that time, but within a couple of hours, I received a message from a dear friend letting me know that her friend, a book publisher in Canada, had an opening left in a collaboration book she was doing with Les Brown. Needless to say, I stopped and took notice with wonder and amazement. An email introduction was made, and within 48 hours I was welcomed into the community of this project. How could I say no? I asked how to begin and the answer was delivered! And now, this company is my life’s mission.

Stacie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Life’s journey is unpredictable. Sometimes, we are blindsided by changes that leave us feeling lost and bewildered. Other times, we make tough decisions that, while necessary, disrupt the familiar patterns of our lives. These moments can feel like being caught in a storm, where our ability to see clearly and move forward is hindered, much like trying to drive through torrential rain. This is where I found myself when my 28-year marriage imploded in 2012.

That event became the catalyst for my personal journey of healing and self-discovery. Faced with a crucial decision, I chose to take control and deliberately create the life I desired. This path led me to explore the depths of the human condition, understanding how mindset and beliefs shape our lives. It was during this transformative period that Modern Consciousness® was born – a platform to share my insights and guide others towards intentional living.

Some call me the Queen of Reinvention as I have done so many different things in my lifetime. My career has been a tapestry of diverse experiences, from acquiring a $50 million software company with no cash upfront to pioneering the introduction of the first desktop computers in a major U.S. government agency with less than a year of experience in the IT field after a major career change. Each decade of my life has been marked by a new chapter of reinvention, whether in government contracting, construction, hospitality, or even raising award-winning llamas. My journey is not just about business success; it’s about the art of transformation.

One thing that has served me well throughout my life is being a ‘practicalist’ – this has always been my superpower. I have a unique ability to champion practical solutions and see both the details and the bigger picture with equal clarity. My ability to identify the root of an issue and navigate through it with pragmatic solutions has been pivotal in my varied careers across multiple industries, as an entrepreneur, and in the service I bring to my clients through my coaching program, Elevate Your Life®.

My Elevate Your Life® program is designed for individuals who are ready to break free from the familiar and embark on a transformative journey. I offer guidance and support for those wishing to explore new possibilities and make empowering choices whether they are grappling with life’s challenges or seeking to deepen their understanding of success and fulfillment, I believe that inner frustration arises when we are living a life that is incongruent with our core values and deepest desires. I also believe that these things change over time without our conscious awareness. Why? Because we’ve drifted into allowing the activities of our lives to create the momentum that pushes us forward in our world rather than intentionally choosing each next step. We’re just trying to keep up with what is already in motion while we continue to haphazardly add activities to our lives. This is natural and normal, and it is the first aspect of Modern Consciousness®, the aspect from which our future emerges.

Elevate Your Life® goes beyond fleeting or temporary changes that one cannot sustain. It empowers people to embody lasting transformation consciously and intentionally. The program demands the active participation and dedication of my clients as they hold the keys to their life’s direction. Through compassionate guidance and non-judgmental support, we embark on an intensive journey of self-discovery and growth together. We bring one’s frustrations, desires, and aspirations into their conscious awareness, and together, we create the magic that transforms their life and unleashes their unique brilliance, genius and joy.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Embarking on the journey of establishing Modern Consciousness®, I confronted a deeply ingrained belief that starting anew in a different field meant starting from scratch. This notion seemed almost paradoxical for someone like me, who had a history of successful reinventions. My diverse experiences, ranging from leading significant projects to navigating complex corporate landscapes, had already equipped me with a unique skill set. Yet, the mental block persisted. It was as if my past achievements, like orchestrating a $50M acquisition in the software industry (something I had most certainly never done before and did not know how to do), were compartmentalized, separate from this new venture. This mindset was a hurdle I had to overcome, to realize that my accumulated wisdom and experiences were not just relevant, but invaluable in this new chapter.

The breakthrough came with introspection and acknowledging the breadth of my journey. Each past reinvention was not just a change in direction but a building block, adding to a foundation of resilience, adaptability, and insight. The realization dawned that my journey was not about discarding past experiences but leveraging them. This epiphany is at the heart of my Elevate Your Life® program. It’s designed to help others recognize and harness their life experiences, transforming perceived setbacks into stepping stones for future success. Just as I learned to see my diverse background as a strength, I now guide others to reframe their narratives, empowering them to embrace change as a path to self-actualization.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My journey through the acquisition of a $50M software company stands as a profound testament to resilience. This endeavor, spanning nine arduous months, was a path less traveled, filled with skepticism and challenges. Colleagues and industry veterans labeled me a “cashless investor,” a moniker that reflected their doubts about my unconventional approach and the feasibility of the deal.

Despite the skepticism, I was undeterred. I saw beyond the immediate hurdles and recognized the potential of what could be achieved. My strategy was unconventional, yes, but it was underpinned by a deep-seated belief in the power of determination and intelligence. The journey was not just about acquiring a company; it was about challenging norms and proving that the impossible could be made possible.

The process was intense and demanding. Each step required meticulous planning, relentless negotiation, and an unwavering belief in the vision I had set forth. The skepticism I faced only fueled my resolve, transforming doubt into a driving force. Ever potential investor with whom I shared the ‘deal’ wanted to be a part of it. This unanimous interest was not just a validation of the deal’s potential but also of the resilience and tenacity I brought to the table.

In the end, the acquisition was not just a triumph in business terms but a personal victory against the odds. It underscored a vital lesson that has since been a cornerstone of my philosophy: resilience is about believing in your vision, even when others don’t, and turning skepticism into the very reason to push forward. This story is a cornerstone of my ‘Elevate Your Life’ program, embodying the spirit of transforming challenges into triumphs.