Meet Stacey Oliver-knappe

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Stacey Oliver-knappe again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Stacey, always such a pleasure connecting with you and thank you for sharing your stories, insights and inspiring messages with our community. We’re looking forward to getting the download and what you have been up to since our last interview, but first can you briefly introduce yourself to folks who might have missed the prior conversation.
Thanks for having me back.

I am the owner of Stacey OK Consulting. In a nutshell, I am a business consultant who helps small to medium-sized businesses solve big problems that are stopping or stalling their growth.

My career has been a surprising, fun roller coaster. If you had asked me as a kid if I would be a solopreneur, I would have said, “What is that?” Now, after almost two decades of being a company of one, I enjoy helping companies from different industries than I was initially a part of and in geographies beyond Central Florida.

Great, so let’s jump into an update on what you have been up to since we last spoke. What can you share with us?
Since last time, a few interesting projects have come across my practice. I helped a world-renowned speaker with an instructional design (ID) project. Instructional design is creating effective training. Trainers train participants, but IDers write training so participants absorb the knowledge or change behavior. It is part art and part science because people are unpredictable. But that is what makes it an enjoyable challenge.

I wrote their first employee handbook for a local construction company and facilitated an introductory session with the employees so they understood the document. I believe that it is only fair for every organization to have an employee handbook. Folks need to understand the ‘playing field,’ where they work. Then, once it is created, it is best to offer tools to employees so they understand the document. It is a win/win for the company when they do both. Owners and employees are happier. I bet no one is late now!

I also conducted a discovery analysis for a financial services organization. They were experiencing mysterious turnover issues, so I came in for a three-day discovery analysis to pinpoint their challenges and possible solutions. It is always eye-opening to have an unbiased third party review your operation. I tend to see what the company cannot with my fresh eyes and extensive experience.

The challenge has been jobs or projects that I thought would come through and provide a nice income but that did not happen for whatever reason. There is much out of the consulting world’s control, and there are many reasons projects do not materialize.

I am excited about growing my intellectual property outlets, like my new YouTube channel, “Lunch Bites and Leadership Insights.” Recently, I realized I would never reach the same physical staff through speaking or consulting all the business owners who could use my insights. I look forward to reaching owners and business leaders where they are.

Alright, so let’s do something a bit more fast-paced and lighthearted. We call this our lightning round and we’ll ask you a few quick questions.

Favorite Movie: Oh Brother, Where Are’t Thou

Favorite Book: The Psychology of Money

Favorite TV Show: Frasier

Favorite Band or Artist: Depeche Mode

Sweet or Savory: Sweet

Mountains or Beach: Beach

Favorite Sport (to watch): Gymnastics

Favorite Sport (to play): Kickboxing

Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): No

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: The US Senator from Florida

French Fries or Onion Rings: Onion RIngs

Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: Chuck Rhodes

Favorite Cartoon growing up: Smurfs

Favorite Childhood movie: Mommy Dearest is what comes to mind. HBO was new. LOL

Favorite Breakfast Food: Waffles

What do you want people to remember about you and your brand? What are some of things that you feel are most important, unique, special, etc?
I want clients to remember that our work together was an exceptional experience—exceptional in the service they received, and I over-delivered in the quality and innovation of the final product beyond their expectations.

Beyond the tangible, I want them to have some intangible levity and joy in the process or project. I find business owners, especially smaller owners, can be so stressed. I like to provide them with relief through optimism and humor. We can laugh at work. We can reach impossible goals with laughter, joy, and kindness toward ourselves and our employees.

It might be from my background in hospitality at the Walt Disney World resort. It was my first job out of high school, and I was there for eight years. Even now, it’s my professional DNA to provide that kind of experience. We had stressful times providing magical experiences for guests, but we also had a great time doing it backstage.

I want every client or audience member I interact with to have that feeling for many years after working with me.

Website: https://www.staceyok.com

Instagram: @staceyok111

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceyok/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stacey.oliverknappe

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@staceyokconsulting