Story & Lesson Highlights with Stephanie Funk of San Tan Valley

Stephanie Funk shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Outside of painting, indoor rock climbing has been a great escape for me. It challenges my body and quiets the overthinking brain. It is puzzle solving on the fly. There are no other thoughts going on in the head, determination and trying now to slip.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Stephanie and I am a dot mandala artist. I started dot painting about 7 years ago as a creative passion when my kids were little and I was pregnant with my youngest. It started out with me posting things here and there on my art Instagram account, which then led to me opening up an Etsy. I have since added vinyl waterproof stickers amongst other items through the years. This last year I started leading sip and paint classes at Casa Collective in Casa Grande about once a month. This was a huge step out of my comfort zone because I am a pretty shy person by nature. I had to solve the problem of “how do I make dot art teachable for others in a short time frame?” Never in a million years did I think that I would add teaching my passion to others to my resume. My plan is to take on more mobile parties and grow my business locally.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Becoming a mother 14 years ago has had the most impact on me and how I view the world. It’s tough to find a balance of being a protector while simultaneously showing my kids all that the world has to offer. Thinking back to what it was like at their age and then adding in all the pressures today that weren’t around then, plus the huge growth of social media. It’s my duty to keep them happy, safe and knowledgeable about how the world is today.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I say that I’m going to give up way more than I would like to admit. Most days it truly feels like I don’t know what I am doing and am just winging it, while other days feel great. Learning to grow an art business when I did not go to art school has been quite the venture, but I really cannot see myself doing anything else. Now that I can look back and see all the growth from where I began, I realize that I actually did somewhat know what I was doing.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I try to be the most authentic version of myself. I try to show up for others when I am able to. I believe that what you put out into the world is what you will receive back. It takes too much energy to not be your real self.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Worrying and ruminating. I can’t change the past, but I can stop worrying about every small detail and what others are going to think. All of that distracts me from the present moment and from focusing on the future and my goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://uncommonwander.etsy.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncommon_wander/