Meet SJ Stephens, a St. Louis native, affectionately known as Big Jiz, "Everybody's Favorite Everything," and the visionary force behind SJS. Business Building and More. SJ is dedicated to empowering others, education, and serving as a catalyst for positive change in the lives of everyone she touches, all while authentically being herself.

Get to know SJ Stephens

Q: What do you most enjoy about being an entrepreneur?
A: The freedom is what I love the most. I have the ability to reinvent myself, my business, and/or my products/services as many times as I want until I am satisfied. I make the rules. Creatively, there are no limits to what I can do, and truthfully, the worst-case scenario is creating something that doesn't sell as expected. However, is that really a bad thing, or have I simply taught myself what not to do?

Q: What exactly does SJS. Business Building and More do/offer?
A: Unhumbly. Everything necessary, exceptionally well.

Q: What is SJ Stephens most known for?
A: Being a grant writer.

Q: What can we expect for 2024?
A: In 2024, SJS. Business Building and More will elevate in every sense of the word. I've relinquished my desire to control everything and recently started the hiring process for my 4-person dream team. As much as I thought I could do everything myself, I had to realize there are some things I will never be good at (like website design) and there are certain things I simply don't have enough time to do (edit and format my own books) and that outsourcing them is the best thing for my business growth because it frees up my time to do what I love to do. 2024 will be the 1st year of business with clear goals, defined timeframes, and deadlines in place. I will operate with more intentionality than ever before. I intend to establish SJS. Business Building and More as a nationally recognized brand and myself as a subject matter expert in Grant Writing, Financial Literacy, and Book Writing.

This is my year.

Q: Can we expect any new products and services in 2024?
A: Absolutely.

Q: What are you most proud of professionally?
A: Two things: "The Uglier Side of the Truth" - the blogs, the roundtable, and the book. The fact that I went from puppy love to betrayal and 1,000 copies sold of my 3rd novel detailing the entire situation in 6 months is mind-blowing…I mean if this isn't a real life example of turning lemons into lemonade I don't know what is. The other would have to be "The Anthology of US: Through His Eyes" and "The Anthology of US: Through Her Eyes." This book is so vulnerable-it talks about moments where my Authors didn't see a way out, for some they talk about being sexually abused, one talks about committing a crime that landed him in prison. Heck, the forward, written by my son, talks about living with an alcoholic father and an absent mother. To know that people trusted me and my vision enough to let me into this intimate part of their lives is humbling.

Q: 2024 business goals?
A: Blow my own mind.

Q: Tell us three things most people don't know about you.
A: I'm not afraid of heights but terrified of falling. I drive barefoot. I don't eat anything white. Oh and I do not like socks (I own like 5 pairs) and will wear flip flops rain, sleet or snow.

Accomplishments:

• Over 3,000 self-published books sold
• 6x Author/Curator
• Created fifteen 1st time Authors and 1 repeat Author
• Secured $2.1 million in grant funding (2020-2022)

Education:

• BS- Criminal Justice, University of Missouri-St. Louis (2007)
• MS- Criminal Justice Administration, Lindenwood University (2009)
• St. Louis Metropolitan Police Academy Graduate (2010)
• Community Health Worker Certification (2018)

Professional Affiliations:

• National Sales Network
• CRMLA (Charlotte Regional Mortgage Lenders Association)
• Charlotte Crown Realist Association
• Family Liaison/Mentor for Families Forward Charlotte
• Board Member, Kids in the Middle
• Community Health Worker Association-St. Louis Chapter
  
  Awards and Achievements:
• 2023 Top 100 St. Louisans To Know To Succeed in Business
• 2021 Regions Bank Community Champion
• 2022 Wonder Woman of the Year (Small Business Monthly magazine)
• 2021 Regions Bank 100% Customer Satisfaction Rating
• 2021 Amazon Best Selling Author
• Lead Grant Writer (contract), A.L.I.V.E.
• Grant Review Committee member for Flourish (Generate Health)
• Produced Q&A w/SJ (an annual 8-week home buying seminar)