We were lucky to catch up with Stacey Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.

Stacey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My name is Stacey and I am a mother of 4 and a mom and Auntie to many. Received my BSW from Alvernia College (PA) & UMUG (MD). I’ve been a lover and grower of plants and food since I could do it. I was always the kid playing in the dirt. During my childhood and some of my adulthood afforded me the experiences of surviving through child molestation, sexual assault and domestic violence. While experiencing the abuse through family members, friends and lovers as well as my own; I realized being in nature, growing plants and gardening was my place of peace from the trauma I experienced. While experiencing homelessness Blossom & Grow was manifested and brought to life. My peace was always with my plants and in my gardens and so my goal is to encourage others to heal through some of the same methods I use myself, growing their food and herbs and using them to heal your mind, body and spirit.

After going through a deep spiritual awakening (after my mother’s passing in 2020 from Covid) I began to step into an understanding of what was to be my purpose. The mission to encourage other survivors and their families to use the earth to heal their trauma using plant therapy, paint therapy, meditation and music in community healing events, individually, groups and families.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Well I’m 47 years old born in Reading, PA raised more so in Maryland & DC. I have 4 natural children & 1 adopted daughter.–25-17 are their age ranges. I’ve been a social worker since before they needed a degree to be one and have learned so much from every job I ever encountered. I started realizing that I was unfulfilled with being a social worker–we spent more time behind the desk than in the field doing the work because of documentation standards and I craved to be more active. When dealing with homelessness I had an Aha ! Moment when God told me to combine what I love to do to help people to heal the trauma that I have experienced in my own life. The first business I’d like to introduce is Blossom & Grow where we advocate for survivors and their families whom have experiened DV/SA/HT. We host Community Healing Events to bring the community together to help heal the issues that lie in that community with the local cops, governmnet officials and the residents. We also work with private families, groups and corporate agencies. Our services range from the Community healing events to individual family events such as baby showers, family reunions. Plant Therapy sessions can be held for groups, family events etc. We also complete speaking engagements for DV/SA/HT groups. We encourage all businesses, individuals, healtcare facilities, agencies to think outside of the box for therapy needs while encouraging unity when performing trauma healing techniques.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Once my adult children told me I really needed to be on social media, I started my instagram and website with a young lady on fivver. She started posting for me and I would have college interns posting for me and I created Social Seeds. Social Seeds is a PODCAST, from Blossom and Grow on IG Live every other Thursday and Friday where we speak with survivors of DV/SA/HT. We also have guests whom are psychotherapists and business owners of agencies created to encourage and helps survivors in different stages and different parts of the country and World.

My advice would be to step out of your comfort zone plant the seeds with people and water them watch what grows!

Have you ever had to pivot?

After spending over 20 years in regular social work settings I was getting tired of not getting paid what I was worth. I was planning to leave the job when I got a call from the doctor saying they were concerned about a mammogram. So I stayed because of the health insurance. A month or so later found out it was cancer and at the same time I had just become homeless. Sugery was scheduled in a few weeks and was going through the motions of receiving FMLA. The day after my surgery I was fired for job abandonment. Even though these are the same people who approved my FMLA. Long story short I was homeless with 2 of my children, no income and now no health insurance. I realized that I was in a reset space and I was being given another chance to do what I really had passion for and make a business out of it and so I did. The way I ate changed, my physical activity level went up, what I listened to changed, what I watched changed. I started researching more about what I wanted to do and how to make it happen and I started with my skills of gardening and started building my website and social media presence and it started really taking off. I also have decided to not limit myself with using the gifts and talents I’ve been given and my spirituality has been a big part of it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.blossom-grow.com
• Instagram: @blossomandgrowllc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blossom-grow-llc/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/blossomgrow
• Youtube: @planted_purposefully
• Other: TikTok: @blossom_and_grow TikTok: @theawakenedempress33

Image Credits
Photography by: Kaila E. Graham- IG :@blackluminance