Featured Member: Stephanie Sherwood

Let’s get the basics out of the way. Who are you? Where are you from?I am Stephanie Sherwood of Rosewood, CA.  I am the Co-Founder and Roseville Tapestry Director The BAM Project – For Women of Faith

When and why was your business started?  I started my business in January 2011 out of need I saw in the marketplace – couldn’t find a group for Christian businesswomen to plug into.

What is your mission statement? The BAM Project is an unstoppable life ministry for Christian businesswomen and seekers based on the firm eternal foundation of beliefs, authenticity and message. The BAM Project is dedicated to empowering women become the whole, integrated people whom God has called them to be, through the healing power and presence of community.

What do you love about being a female entrepreneur? That I get to be creative and it puts me in a position where I can really serve others

How did you launch your business and/or dream?  My business was a calling from God and I had a lot of prayer, faith and support.  I have a “lets jump” personality. I jump in and will figure out all the detail later.

How do you stay inspired? Being able to witness the transformation of women in both their life and business.  Also it is incredible to  know through my obedience to my calling marvelous things are happening

What are the biggest challenges you have overcome as a female entrepreneur? Finding my God given voice.

What is your BIG DREAM for your business – what do you hope will happen? That we will have 1000+ Tapestries all over the world.  That thousands and thousands of women will realize their value in the marketplace and God has put them right where they are at for a powerful purpose.  Tht in the marketplace people will come to know Jesus and those that already have a personal relationship with Him – will know Him better!

How do you incorporate your faith into your business? It is the centerpoint of everything we do.

What are you favorite biblical parallels and verses that encourage you? Why? Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. It’s powerful and keeps me growned and knowing where the glory needs to go.  Jonah 3:2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.”  we are all asked to do things we don’t understand and we each have our “Nineveh” it keeps we focused to know that I am called.

How do you promote/market your business?  I love using social media, newspaper, and networking.

What is the biggest risk that you have taken in your business? Has it paid off?  Make my business all about God.  By doing this it is paying off in the most amazing ways!

What risk do you need to take now? I need to start going after corporate sponsors.

What tips would you share with a friend setting out on her own entrepreneurial adventure? Do not wait until everything is perfect to launch. Be sure to surround yourself with others that have had a similar walk so you have someone to bounce ideas off of.  Know those that love you the most, more times than not, are the ones that will not support you.  Always make God apart of every aspect of your business.

What resources and books would you recommend—the ones which have best helped you? Search for Significance Robert S McGee, Marketplace Christianity Robert Fraser, The Servant leader Ken Blanchard.

What do you have coming up? Events? Book Signings? I am working on our Unstoppable Conference taking place  September 20 – 2012 in Sacramento, CA

Tell us about your family and your support group? I have been married for 24 years to my husband Ron.  We have 2 children our daughter Jordan 19 and our son Alex 17.  My support group are my BAMMERs!!

Who were/are your mentors? Barb Wilber my business partner and Anne Toulikian mangager at Macy’s.

What else would you like to share with us? We are looking for women that are being called to lead in the marketplace that would be interested in looking at BAM as their tool to lead and make money doing it!

[graybox]Stephanie has been a full fledge entrepreneur for over a decade in addition to her 18 years in Corporate America. She left Macy’s as a Senior Store Line Executive after 15 years of service and transitioned into a product development and training specialists for Retail Technologies International (RTI); a company that designed & developed a point of sale and inventory control program for retailers. While working for RTI Stephanie found her entrepreneurial spirit & started her own company A Sow’s Ear Mobile Boutique.

This led her to discover networking and the value of helping and supporting people in business. Stephanie quickly learned her heart was to serve women.After this discovery Stephanie was introduced to eWomenNetwork and found there was a place she could grow her business and serve women. After 6 months of being a member Stephanie took on a leadership position as a Managing Director for the South Placer Chapter. In this position she has served thousands of women in helping to connect them with needed support and resources. Along the way Stephanie has found a void in the marketplace where Christian businesswomen can show-up and be all that God has designed and called them to be without apology. After making a bold statement to God about wanting to serve and advance His kingdom Stephanie was gifted with many visions that have led her to The BAM Project as a Co-Founder.[/graybox]