Check Out Stacie H.’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacie H.

Hi Stacie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My love for children came at an early age. lol, I was always on duty to care for someone’s child(just ask my cousin Inez lol) I think my overall passion really came from watching my cousin Bre. She was with me everyday everywhere she is all grown up now it’s so exciting to see .. Children just loved to be with me as I loved to be with them… I continued on my journey in the children’s entertainment world meeting the famous Tommy The Clown in 1997. I then became a hip hop clown known as “Trina The Clown” alongside my twin sister (Stephenie) known as “Tina The Clown” in 1998. I mean I had never seen so many children in one setting it was an experience every time we pulled up in that green 5.0. I balanced clowning while attending San Diego State University as I began to grow as a woman,I wanted to embark on a new journey. I retired from clowning when I turned 21, I then found employment at a local school in Carson,Ca once again I found myself in the setting of children but this setting was rather special as I worked in a special needs class that’s when I knew what my true calling was. I envisioned what life would be for me if I really pursued by dreams, just simply focusing on my passion and my purpose growing up in the Crenshaw District right off 48th and 5th Ave I found out quickly that I was a true LA baby and I wanted my first business to be in a community where I was from… before I continue I have to say a special thank you to a friend of mines (Nicole Clark) we actually worked together at the school. Nicole really pushed me as I spoke of this vision and even helped me create my first social media. It was Myspace back then and Baby Ink was the name I came up with. I tested it out by hosting two brand parties, one for my daughter’s 5th birthday. It was a huge success and the other for my nephew’s birthday. I mean everything was Baby Ink. We turned that bowling alley out and my sister (Brittney) gave me full control of the theme and from there my bestie Nina and I officially launched Baby Ink in 2007. We hosted our first brand pop up through my aunt’s (Kari Taylor) non-profit organization. It was well received. I mean I have memories. Even hosting an over the top Baby Ink themed Babyshower for my Sister (Ashley) that was amazing. I had finally stepped out on faith and opened a home daycare. It was located off 90th and Normandie for several years. I would have fun conversations with my sister (Tiffany) as we both shared the same passion in children. It was just a vibe I needed at that time to bring this vision to life. I Love all my sisters. Thank you ladies, for always supporting me !! I remember my friend (QuinnD) needing childcare. Her daughter was only 6 months then she stayed in our care until she started preschool thanks so much friend your support was real, through my close friend (Ebony) I met a gem named “Michy” she had a daughter and was too needing childcare my babe and I would trade off taking and picking her daughter up from middle school we would meet at our Inglewood office and drive all the way to culver city I mean the hustle was real back then as it still is today lol thanks Mitchy. My vision and aspirations just grew under that same umbrella. I tapped into event coordination and planning with the help of my mom(Be’Netta) we created magic with every event handed to us boy was it a ride lol we even hosted a baby shower at a major tv network. I’m always thankful for my cousin (La’Nee) and that opportunity!! My bestie since highschool (Mikki) has let us coordinate every important milestone from her nuptials to her business launch, even her daughters sweet 16, prom, graduation and her 21st. My Childhood friend (Tyiesha) even had us hosting a paint n sip party for her daughter’s birthday at the Hyatt House (a local hotel) I was even asked to plan and host her sisters baby shower thank you all so much lol Listen I have done just about everything ( smiles big lol ) I even had Baby Ink Sweet Treats. We dipped all sorts of goodies from strawberries to pretzels. One year my cousin (First Lady La Toya S.) placed a mother’s day order for 100 strawberries for the mom’s at her church. She had us working. lol Genuine family support means everything to me. I can’t forget my cousin Eka @reions_dhenim0708, you have been there and supporting my brands through various collaborations since day one! My cousin Tiffiny assisting with various Logo edits whewww lol ! To all my extended family and friends If you have ever allowed me to service your needs in any capacity of business I truly appreciate it. I Thank You All !!

Growing up in L.A and Inglewood I thought it would be great to stay where I felt more connected to my community. My bestie Nina and I opened Baby Ink Arts n Crafts Studio early 2014. It was a small art studio in Inglewood, CA with just enough space to get the ball rolling. That vision came about as my oldest daughter(Kai) she’s an exceptional artist. I thought how exciting it would be to bring something like this to our community offering free art lessons. We hosted kid’s parties, adults sip n paints, baby showers,even lending our space to local entrepreneurs needing a space to showcase their businesses etc;… Baby Ink was a long run after 12 years, I had a new vision for the brand for a short time, the name was changed to Paint n Play By Baby Ink but I wanted more, I wanted to give more to my community so I sat back and put things into perspective asking myself is this really my purpose? After many months of thinking it came to me. I officially changed the name in July of 2020 the new name was one for the books I needed to make sure it represented what my brand consisted of overall and that was children and all the things we provided as a company “Toddler Tings Paint.Play.Create” was born in honor of my now four year old son (Shadoe) the new vision I had was just to host free play pop ups for families in the local community. I wanted parents to not worry about money or having to feed their children just come and have a good time. I hit the streets asking for help from big companies a lot of doors were shut in my face everyone wanted money for something in which I did not have but I never gave up I would just show up as my authentic self and lay it out on the table ” Hi my name is Stacie H. and this is what I do”, I would like your help? lol doors started opening with the help of my family I mean my whole family at times my parents, sisters, brother, aunties, uncles, cousins, friends who became family, my best friends definitely can’t forget my children or the love of my life (Jay) he is such an amazing human being sent from heaven I can’t begin to describe our journey and what we have been through but GOD, it takes a village and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. My team and I would pull off these free pops ups. We would always host them and still do in the city where I now reside (Inglewood) and the faces of children and families would be in awe. All they had to do was show up and have fun. It was all completely FREE. After a year of hosting I decided I should form a non-profit. I’m excited to bring it to life. It’s just about complete and we’re excited to finally be back after covid, we’re actually hosting another one soon so definitely stay connected and check us out for future events or collaborations !

Today I’m so grateful for a lot of things. You always have to stay grounded because life will sit you down and remind you of the littlest things. Throughout my journey I have had some personal health setbacks along with some close family members so it has reminded me how precious life really is. Life hit me and I was down for almost two years but I didn’t let it get the best of me I pushed through but GOD! I currently have a Mommy Club (@damommnyclub) and all my sisters Stephenie, Brittney, Tiffany & Ashley who are mothers supports this vision and that means so much to me to have them apart of something that I created just for moms I mean my son’s godmother (Nina) who is also my bestie and business partner although she doesn’t have children she hasn’t missed a meet up always there supporting the vision it just warms my heart the genuine love and support I receive from those around me @ianggel your a true gem. I have a partnership with the County of Los Angeles. I host a monthly anti-bullying session in honor of my daughter(Koi) who experienced severe bullying while in middle school. I just felt how can I turn a negative into a positive and I did just that by launching the Hold On To Hope Campaign (@holdon.tohope). Most recently during the pandemic my love for flowers grew and I launched Fresh Finesse (@freshfinesseflowers) the load gets heavy sometimes but I manage to balance all three my mom has been a great partner on this venture helping out when she can as she works on her own goals the launch of her new business (Mynd Vibes) she definitely brings her element of expertise to the table her help means a lot to me it’s been rough for us my grandmother(our Gigi or Lo Lo) is very ill so however I can keep my mom smiling. I try to do just that: the joy we feel while making flower bouquets, just call us the jack of all trades. Would you believe I even launched a lipstick line ( The Stacie H, Collection) I simply enjoy every element of pure creativity just having a sound mind the ability to even do so. This is the short version of my journey. Maybe one day soon I’ll write a book. I have so much to share, never enough time lol. Thank you to my friend Carlette Grant(@orderthosecupcakes) for thinking of me in this manner to have this honor suggested by you speaks volumes. I will always appreciate you thank you again to my family members who have allowed me to share my businesses, through your business the power of growth and togetherness I embody all of it. I Love You All!!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Funding has been a true struggle never having a business loan or line of credit just using this to pay for that, lol but when you start to formulate a plan and stick to it things will eventually manifest God will always provide the tools you need we talk on a regular basis! For every obstacle or challenge I faced along my journey, I let go and let God and simply said if it’s for me, it will happen and when it does that road may have a few bumps but it will be smooth. I kept the faith and held onto hope and for that, I won’t complain.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve been an entrepreneur since 2007, I left a corporate job to focus on my purpose stepped out on faith and never looked back here I am today in 2021 still going strong the ability to know you are different and not let comparisons or lack of support stunt your growth speaks volumes many don’t survive the first five years of business I just kept creating and doing never getting comfortable almost like watering a plant and watching it grow I’m most proud of me, myself and I how I balance everything life, family, work everything my testimony of just being able to walk and talk again after my stroke it left me very ill for a long while the ability to still create and make magic in the midst of every storm I’m telling you I have a testimony but for now just understand I’m the dreamer the doer and the executor, lol. I’ve met some amazing women who happen to be local entrepreneurs over the last couple of years that are now my dear friends some are even family many have allowed me to showcase my business though their businesses we’ve done some great collaborations and i’m so thankful to know them I’m real big on giving flowers we have to continue to let the ones we care about know that they matter in some capacity of our lives it’s only right !! @chianajenell,@nicholelynel,@twogirlsandadrink,@nitascorncatering01,@ambitionisthenewpink,@a.purnellproduction, @sunni_bleu @breecandace,@_stylex,@adict_charmery,@styleonthespot @elevatedcdc,@exquisiteartistrybymikkillc2 @karirtaylor @parkerpaigeme, @madisonblucompany@candykrushnwithzay @isaladfusions @puckrduppickles @puckeruplemonadeco @roxy_bacardi @girlswithgifts,@twk_so_cal @bmuffin02 ..These next group of women some are also entrepreneurs many have just poured into me sometime through my journey a couple just genuinely supported whatever I had going on I mean just showing support however they can it stuck with me and for that you will always hold a special place in my heart and I just want to say thank you so much to @kailewishall @konquerqueens @speakonitsalon @hustleinscrubsboutique @flavoured_stylez @embellishme40 @tipsytelly @_fab_studio @anaiya_j_roots @braids_by_foxy_@petitemlle1@teachingsuperpowers @fav_o_red @riches_of_life @lb_sammantha @darrianarmymomdst @miixed_chicc @creativiti_ti_ @the_sister_circle18 @lost_the_love_of_my_life @shatishashani @annieboo_78 @thepolishden ..I’m so proud of you all and every other woman out there pursuing your dreams Keep Shining !!!!

How do you define success?
Success to me is knowing you have fulfilled your desired purpose or that it is your true intent to do so …thats the short version the long version is simply whatever that makes you happy at the end of everyday is success overall we all battle with so much!! Success for some could literally be just having enough strength to get out of the bed or even feel worthy of doing so I encourage you all to live well, be happy and just be your authentic self, smile always dream big as you begin to find self you will truly realize success is something that definitely lives within.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.toddlertings.org
• Instagram: @toddlertings @freshfinesseflowers @hold.ontohope @damommyclub
• Facebook: Toddler Tings Paint.Play.Create

Image Credits:
Fresh Finesse Flowers Toddler Tings Paint.Play.Create, Hold On To Hope (anti-bullying campaign) Art By Kai Mommy Club By Stacie H. Loris Lovett (grandmother) & Stacie H.