Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Braswell.
Stephanie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Well my story can go back to the age 3 , but I think I will just start how I came to Greenville sc. originally I first came here in 1998 I was running from abuser with my 3 children a close friend of mine lived in a small town and she suggested I come to Greenville coming from nyc this was very scary for me I stayed for 3 months I met a lady here in Greenville who helped me and my children a great deal, but even with all this good things happening for me and my children I chose to leave because I still loved my children’s father I thought me leaving him would help him see that if he loves us he wouldn’t want to lose us again. So I went back to nyc and of course it was the worse thing I could have ever done and although me and my children survived his abuse it has scarred us for life. In 2010 I got laid off from my city job I was still with my abuser but it was over so long ago but I saw my lay off as a chance to finally break free from him because at this point he was just bullying me to stay with him. Once I got laid off we became homeless my daughter was in college my twins was in high school I had no job and no place to live I took my kids to a shelter I needed to fix this for my kids. One night I had a talk with the lord I said god I’m scared I don’t know what to do but if you just show me a direction I will take it because I trust you lord. That week I was told from a housing specialist that the shelter offers you one way tickets to where you and your family want to go as long as I had proof I had a place to live. Thank god I had money saved I thought about Greenville how peaceful it was and how maybe my kids would have better opportunities within a month I found a place in travelers rest and my children and I boarded a greyhound straight to Greenville sc it wasn’t easy we had some hiccups along the way I even returned to nyc to work again but my children stayed here in Greenville in 2019 of December everyone was sick I was coming for a visit I was sick as well it was a very strange time. I came for a visit and I never left I resigned from my city job Covid was in full force a lock down was in place. And I couldn’t think of any place to be but with my children I needed something to help me calm my anxiety it was very very high as a child I loved press on nails I thought they was so elegant so I started designing press on nails it was so relaxing for me then I started applying the nails on friends and family, then I thought I should sell my press ons I haven’t quite have my business off the ground it’s taking me some time but I’m working on it, I’m also in school obtaining my GED I did work for Greenville county school which I loved very much my biggest passion is helping id love to help woman who are seeking help to leave an abusive relationship. I didn’t have anyone to talk to when I was going through abuse it’s a lonely scary place. Once I obtain my GED I will attend college and look forward in helping people and still designing my press on nails as well.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My biggest obstacles right now is I come from a huge city I never thought about driving I have a fear of driving. But I’m facing a challenge because I now need to drive it has been very very hard for me to say the least. Right now I travel using the transit service or a Lyft my children also take me where I need to go when they can.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am now retired
I worked in payroll, and also tech support.
One part of my job was doing auctions I absolutely loved it I worked in the warehouse of department of human resource I ran the warehouse so all the old computers would be auctioned off people from all over the state would bid different organizations I was happy when they would win and happy to meet them knowing they was doing it for a great cause as well.
What matters most to you? Why?
Compassion it’s one of the rules to life to live with compassion. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from without compassion your lost.
Contact Info:
- Youtube: Pressedbysteph
