We recently connected with Stephanie Moore and have shared our conversation below.

Stephanie , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

2020 marked a significant chapter in my journey as I stepped into my first post-graduate marketing role at a local agency in Birmingham, Alabama. After honing my skills through internships, apprenticeships, and the growth of my online brainchild, Freelancer Magazine, during my college years, I was excited to start my career. As an Account Manager, I delved into the diverse realms of media, apparel, transportation, technology, and more, crafting social and content strategies that resonated with clients.

Yet, amidst the professional hustle, a subtle call beckoned—a whisper pushing me toward a path less traveled. Nine months into my corporate tenure, in October 2020, I decided to leave the structured safety of a full-time job and embark on a venture of my creation: Moore Creative Solutions. This marked the genesis of a bold risk, a plunge into the unknown depths of entrepreneurship.

Moore Creative Solutions, my brainchild, is not just a marketing agency; it’s a hub for cultivating communities, fueling marketing strategies, and orchestrating activations for a diverse clientele, including music artists, established business owners, content creators, and creatives.

Leaving the corporate cocoon was the most significant risk of my life, disrupting the blueprint that had guided me thus far. The transition from Account Manager to Business Owner was swift, and as exhilaration met uncertainty, fear inevitably crept in. The prospect of navigating uncharted entrepreneurial waters stirred anxiety, but it was anchored by prayer and a promise made with unwavering faith—a commitment to practice radical faith, irrespective of the challenges that lay ahead.

Three years hence, that radical faith has been the bedrock of my resilience, withstanding storms in both personal and professional spheres. The journey has been a tapestry of experiences, a testament to the transformative power of belief. From working with acclaimed actress Malinda Williams to steering influencer marketing campaigns for iconic brands like Ciroc Vodka and DeLéon Tequila, every project has been a stepping stone.

Navigating the intricate landscape of marketing strategies for the NFLPA, orchestrating a Father’s Day content campaign with Chef Lester Walker, and managing social platforms for The Good House Hotel and Spa, a Black-owned boutique hotel in Desert Hot Springs, California—all of these experiences have shaped the narrative of Moore Creative Solutions. Collaborations with Flowers and Crowns podcast, celebrating Black genius, and independent artist Jay Dot Rain added vibrant hues to the canvas of my professional journey.

Despite occasional forays back into the 9-5 space, my recent layoff in 2022 rekindled the fire to bet on myself. The choice to evolve my business further became a clarion call, an opportunity to transcend boundaries and shape my destiny.

For those teetering on the edge of risk, my advice is simple: Don’t let fear dictate your fate. The fear of the unknown is often more daunting than the journey itself. Life is a series of risks; the choice lies between the risk of pursuing your dreams or the risk of doing nothing at all. Embrace the courage to lose sight of the shore. Only then can you swim toward new horizons.

As I continue to navigate this extraordinary journey, I am reminded that the fear of something is indeed more paralyzing than the challenge itself. So, choose your risk wisely—will it be the one that propels you toward the life of your dreams, or the risk of standing still? The horizon awaits, and with courage as your compass, the journey becomes a celebration of self-discovery and creative courage.

Stephanie , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Stephanie Moore, the creative force behind Moore Creative Solutions, and I’m here to take you on a journey through the hues of my life and the dynamic landscape of my entrepreneurial endeavors.

I’m a suburban Black girl with roots embedded in the South, a product of military life, born in Alaska but nurtured under the Alabama sun, surrounded by the warmth of family, the spirit of Crimson Tide (#RollTide), and the aroma of Southern cuisine.

My journey into the world of social media management and consulting spans over six years, but it all began with the inception of Freelancer Magazine in 2016 during my undergraduate years. This online publication was my ode to underrepresented talent across music, multidisciplinary arts, fashion, poetry, and beyond. It ignited a passion for media and marketing, pushing me to explore the digital landscape outside my Social Work degree studies.

Post-graduation in 2019, I dove into my first marketing job in 2020, and after a mere eight months, Moore Creative Solutions emerged, a testament to my desire to collaborate with brands, businesses, and creatives disrupting their industries with impact and influence.

At Moore Creative Solutions, we thrive on bringing monochromatic ideas to life, infusing them with vibrancy and vitality. These are concepts waiting to be set ablaze, and with our colorful campaigns, we unearth the latent brilliance within, captivating audiences and breathing new life into every project we touch.

Our services span brand management for content creators and independent artists, marketing strategy (social, content, brand, and campaign), social media management, marketing consulting, LinkedIn social selling training, and VIP Days. We’ve had the privilege to work with renowned names such as Ciroc Vodka, DeLéon Tequila, the NFLPA: The Trust organization, Chef Lester Walker of Ghetto Gastro, actress Malinda Williams, and many more.

To potential clients, our doors are wide open, and we’re eager to infuse your world with color and unique creative solutions. Moore Creative Solutions is more than a brand; it’s an invitation to join a vibrant community where ideas flourish and possibilities abound.

And to my incredible followers and supporters, you are the heartbeat of this journey. I am grateful for you all rocking with me for the past three years. The best is yet to come, and I can’t wait to unveil more, surprising you in unimaginable ways. Stay tuned, and let’s continue this vibrant journey together. Much love!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I remember I was in second grade working on a writing assignment. We were using that lined paper with a blank spot for illustrations. I  was going above and beyond, and my teacher noticed. Fast forward to a parent-teacher conference where she’s singing praises about my writing skills. Little did I know, that moment would plant a seed.

Flash forward to the end of 2020, I decided to self-publish a book. I was shedding self-limiting beliefs, embracing my personal power, and making myself the main priority. The book concept brewed in my head: “Where’s Your Fire? Tapping into Your Personal Power, Confidence, and Self-Worth.”

The title sparked from Sonia Sanchez’s poem ‘Catch the Fire.’ “Where is your fire?” are four infamous words from her poem. Sonia encourages and charges Black people to think about the incredible fire that kept past generations alive through slavery, racism, and many other socioeconomic challenges. Operating with the same ingenuity used by slaves, Sonia speaks about maintaining a balance of activism, harnessing personal power, and fighting back by living a full life with love and laughter.

I had my best friend Alexus Roberts, founder of Trellvision Studios, bring that concept to life with an AMAZING book cover.

Now, here’s the real tea. My perfectionism and imposter syndrome turned my book journey into a rollercoaster. I started second-guessing, thinking I didn’t have enough credibility to tell my own story or enough experience to give others advice. I was ruminating on the thoughts of people questioning me. The fear of judgment hit hard, putting everything on pause. After speaking to my publisher, she offered me clarity, peace, and motivation to finish my book.

She made me realize there’s never a perfect time to share your story. Your testimony has value, no matter where you’re at. November 2021, my book was out in the world, and the love I got? Unreal. Readers vibed with the journal prompts and affirmations I put at the end of each chapter.

Feeling full and grateful hearing how my words helped others, now I’m on a mission to amplify this book and eventually publish some journals and affirmation cards. Future readers, watch out—I’m coming at you with some fire bundles!

Stay tuned because this journey is just getting started! I’m here to share the lessons, the wins, and everything in between. Remember, your story is always worth telling.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In September 2022, I was unfortunately laid off from my full-time corporate job as a Social Media Manager for a marketing technology company. This was also around the same time that I was transitioning from living with my parents in the DMV area to temporarily moving to Alabama until I made plans to plant my roots in the city/state of my choice. I had already signed a lease for my new apartment, my parents were also in the process of moving back down south as well – I felt helpless. I didn’t know what to do. My first thought after getting laid off was, “This was not in the plan!”

Because I was one week away from move-in, I didn’t have much time to sit on my hands. Eventually, I had to come up with a plan. I knew that my severance was only going to carry me so far, the process of unemployment was lengthy, and though I started posting #OpentoWork posts on LinkedIn and applying to jobs, the job offers were nowhere in sight, but the rejection letters and ghosting from recruiters and employers were plentiful.

At the beginning of my tenure of my last Social Media Manager job, I had decided to go on a hiatus with Moore Creative Solutions because I did not have the bandwidth to balance my 9-5 and my business. I wasn’t going to wait for an employer to tell me “You got the job!” I decided it was time to start making the jobs and contracts for myself.

I made contact with past clients, and started pitching myself for new contracts, and in no time – Moore Creative Solutions was back in business again baby! One of my biggest fears upon being laid off was how I was going to be able to sustain myself financially, but for the past year, I’ve been able to carry myself on the merit of my business. This year I’ve had more opportunities to travel for my clients, network, and be more involved in my business than I have before. It feels so damn good! I’ve had my doubts about being back in the full-time entrepreneurship world, whether I should go back into corporate, or try to find that balance with the duality of both – but every single time I get a rejection letter from an employer, a paid invoice, or an approved proposal? I can’t help but feel like I’m right where I need to be. The path that God has called me to be on.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.moorecreativesolution.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestephmoore_/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemoore96/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/thestephmoore_
• Other: Where’s Your Fire? Book: https://www.thestephaniemoore.com/

Image Credits
Personal Photo: Taken by Alexus Roberts Additional Photos: Taken by Stephanie Moore