Every issue, GRAZIA USA highlights Game Changers, who inspire, educate, and celebrate individuality, beauty, and style. Meet Stacy Smallwood, the mastermind behind Charleston’s Hampden boutique.
Growing up in Greenville, South Carolina, I never thought I would end up in the world of fashion. While my environment was traditional, my parents loved to travel and always took my twin sister and me with them wherever they went. This exposed us to so many different environments and cultures at a very young age, all of which helped shape who I am today.
I attended Vanderbilt University, where I met so many strong women from all over the country. That was such a pivotal moment in my life. Without it, I would never have had the opportunity or courage to move alone to Dallas, Texas, and work for Neiman Marcus corporate as an assistant buyer. The training I received at Neiman Marcus was another pivotal moment in my journey to creating the success I have today with my boutique, Hampden. In those five years, I learned everything, from the importance of buying reports (and how the numbers tell you the facts, versus your feelings), to listening to feedback and taking action on it, to a strong work ethic that drives me today. At the same time, my experience at Neiman Marcus on the floor ignited my love for the client experience.
Three things have kept my hopeful these past two years and in general: Strength, belief in myself, and trust. For me, hope isn’t a destination; it’s a work in progress. I work on it by listening to podcasts with inspiring leaders like Second Life with Hillary Kerr, How I Built This, Building A StoryBrand, Dare to Lead, and Hitting Rock Middle. I want to hear their stories and struggles, as well as their advice on how hey got where they are today. I read books like Greenlights, The Energy Bus, and Dare to Lead so I can continue to get out of my head and not only gain clarity on what; but also, I want but also tap into the belief that I can get there. I make time for myself to be alone. Being an entrepreneur is fast-paced, ever-changing, and constantly interactive. Over the years, I’ve learned that I need time alone to process and realign my energy to do my job well and approach life with a hopeful attitude. Our ability to consciously choose how we set up our day for success by setting healthy boundaries and planning time for ourselves to refuel is critical to maintaining a healthy mindset.
After 15 years of owning Hampden, we have endured six hurricanes and two snowstorms — both of which have shut down the business for a week or more and dulled tourism to a near standstill for over a month each time. Not to mention, an economic crisis in 2007 and a global pandemic in 2020. Adversity continues to show up, but how you handle it defines you. Hope is a massive part of my story because I never let those adversities stop our belief in what we do at Hampdem and our greater purpose of empowering women to believe in themselves and express themselves through fashion.
My dream is to give the world more patience and empathy. When you can listen to the needs of others, then you can be more empathic to their circumstances. When you have empathy for others, your inclination for kindness increases. I truly believe that when you come from a place of kindness, compassion, and listening, you can get into action and help contribute to the solution of a global problem. Just think how many problems could be solved if we began by changing our ability to have patience and empathy. Although you cannot change the past, you can shape your future!
It’s so important not to cloud yourself by what others are doing! Be kinder to yourself allows you to be kinder to others.
