Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Nielsen.
Stephanie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Hi! My story. Where to begin…
I’m French Canadian born (Montreal) and grew up on the East Coast (Annapolis, Maryland). My family grew up paycheck to paycheck, happy but also always making ends meet. Parents were divorced at an early age, yet they both had entrepreneurial spirits and worked in construction. I should have listened to my peers in high school. Being voted best dressed in the yearbook, I still decided to pursue a road less traveled. After high school, where I always worked several jobs to keep up with the latest fashions and buy a decent car (cash) that I wouldn’t get laughed about, I decided to go to school for Construction Management. I the only woman in my class but, actually enjoyed learning about building, leadership, and management. I graduated and quickly dove into a career in engineering. Yes, hard hat, boots and all. I’ve lived all over. From North Carolina, Texas, NorCal and now home n South Bay, LA. My love was still creativity and fashion, so I started a blog. The Tangerine Desert was born about eight years ago and quickly blossomed into an inspirational little corner of the internet for young women into fashion, travel, and wellness.
Now, the TD focuses mostly on wellness inside and out, I retired myself from the engineering industry and couldn’t be happier!
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not always been pretty. The construction world can be super rough around the edges, especially if you are young, blonde and female. It took a lot of self-development to get to where I am. I’ve learned that no matter who you are trying to get to know and respect you, it’s important to get personal with people. When working in construction as a 21 year old fresh out of college, the way I would get the 40+-year-old construction workers to listen and respect me was for ME to listen and respect them. Ask people how their day is, make eye contact, be brave when inside you may be caving. Most of all, smile and be kind.
As far as entrepreneurship goes, I recommend going for it… FULL OUT. If you know what your passion is, follow it. Don’t ever invest time or energy into anything that is not directly aligned to what your mission is. Surround yourself with like-minded people who seek the best in themselves and help your light shine brighter. I left my career in pursuit of helping others become the best versions of themselves. Yes, it’s as crazy scary but guess what? It was totally worth it!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with your business – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I own The Tangerine Desert, an online space for young women to be inspired to travel, be adventurous and to be healthy. I also own a global business on the health and wellness side with a brand called Arbonne. I decided to stop recommending products that were toxic and only use/recommend their incredible products. From shampoo to skincare and nutrition, I am OBSESSED. I started small two years and now, am a VP with the company, sharing others how to get healthy from the inside out.
I’m most proud of the number of people I have helped along the way. I have coached over 100 people in my nutrition program using the Arbonne nutrition goodies as tools to help people make a lifestyle switch to become healthy.
Who have you been inspired by?
My mentor, Michelle Weir.
Pricing:
- 30 Days to Healthy Living Program – $9/day includes meal plans, 2/3 of your meals and full-time coaching
Contact Info:
- Website: thetangerinedesert.com
- Phone: 3108578220
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/tangerinedesert
- Facebook: facebook.com/tangerinedesert
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
