Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Becca Stevens. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Becca, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.
What I would also learn later is that because I have a history of child sex abuse in my background, is that I had a deep connection to the women I was serving in shelters and in ministry on the streets at that time. My son was a living prayer, and because of grace that day I could see the sign and hear the prayer.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am Becca Stevens, a speaker, entrepreneur, author, priest, and the founder and President of Thistle Farms. I have founded 13 nonprofits and justice enterprises, mentored another 60, and have raised over $75 million to support them. I have been featured on PBS NewsHour, The Today Show, CNN, ABC World News, and have been named a CNN Hero and a White House Champion of Change. I also hold five honorary doctorates. Drawing from 25 years of leadership in mission-driven work, I lead important conversations across the country with an inspiring message that love is the strongest force for change in the world.
I began Thistle Farms, a nonprofit for women survivors of sexual exploitation and addiction, over 25 years ago with one home for four women. The model offers free long-term housing, healthcare and employment for women. Today Thistle Farms is a $14M operation,
has multiple social enterprises, a network of over 90 sister organizations, 39 global artisan partners, and a community of advocates who believe that love is the most powerful force for change in the world.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Run to your community. Run to it. Don’t walk. That is where things change, where the inspiration comes from, and where the actual work gets done. Do not think of your enterprise as a solo sport, do it with your community. Find your people and figure out how you can work together.
Embrace that small can be powerful. We sometimes think small is not powerful. It’s strange because we don’t think that in any other aspect of our life. Nobody says to you, “You only have two kids? You really should have 12. You’d be much more effective if you had 12 instead.” If you start small, and lean-in to community, you can grow naturally and powerfully.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Within a few years of beginning my first not-for-profit, it dawned on me that I needed a new set of skills. When I figured out that leadership meant I needed to step out of management, it was hard—“when your child walks out the door for college” hard. If I was going to help launch survivor artisan groups around the world, I had to let go of the work in our flagship operation in Nashville.
One day, I walked into our community and there was a directors’ meeting, and I hadn’t been invited. At first it felt like I’d caught a lover cheating on me! “What the hell is going on in here?” I could have screamed. Come to find out, they were fine without
me. In fact, better. I needed to learn the dance of the deep bow of gratitude and backing up with grace.
Contact Info:
- Website: beccastevens.org & thistlefarms.org;
- Instagram: @beccastevens, @thistlefarms
Image Credits
Thistle Farms