Page 18 - Sandy Jackman Pantai Hotel

Fire and Nice Stacey Ross

How this multimedia maven balances helping San Diego’s families and motherhood
By Elaine McGhee

SanDiegoBargainMama was one of the first, and remains a
mom-centric hub for local San Diego family events and bargains.
Deal-a-day websites like Groupon are commonplace today, but
back in 2007 she helped to locally pioneer the concept of sharing
local value routinely. The site offers a limited time deal with a deep
discount like a recent 75% off an air duct cleaning service. Also
featured on the site are mom-friendly articles about how to find
deals around San Diego. Be sure to look for the “SDBM tips” for
clever ways to save around town.
After only 3 months the word of mouth, or “word of mouse” as she
puts it, of only 30 friends and family made the blog catch media
attention. She recalled how a local news station asked her to do
a spot the next morning. She found that since she was getting so
many calls from TV stations and the media that it was the perfect
time to utilize the already-growing number of regular columnists
and guest bloggers who had become contributors to “Team
SDBM.” Their enthusiasm towards building community helped
to provide a win-win opportunity for Stacey, her team and the TV
station. One of the most refreshing elements of her success has
been her openness to strategic partnerships. Not doing all the work
herself freed up her time to focus on her toddlers and critical busi-
ness demands.
Currently, Stacey is partnering with Debra Simpson of North San
Diego Business to bring a one-day Digital Marketing Boot camp
to San Diego on September 10th. As a sponsor, Stacey is sharing
with her community how they can learn smart ways to market their
business online.
Originally from the L.A. area, Stacey learned how to shine and find
18 daring ways to navigate the “dog eat dog world.” The fire that “only
living in LA can give you” has manifested into business confidence.
Boldness to take strategic risks, to make her face her brand, and
most recently to launch her sister company SR Media Consulting.
Once again combining her innate ability to bring the right people
together she helps local and online entrepreneurs with smart ways
to affordably get the buzz out via online and traditional marketing.
She prides herself on the chutzpah to take risks. The art of risk
taking that she admittedly refined over the years: Risks that didn’t
always pay off especially as she was starting out overly eager and
over extending herself. “Four hours of sleep doesn’t help anyone.”
I’m a local ‘mompreneur’ myself, so I was on the edge of my seat
waiting to hear the answer to this question: What advice would you
give a mom who wants to start her own business? “Find a mentor
and practice the art of time management. When you learn this skill
as a mom, you become a calmer person and a better leader in
your house. It’s an incredibly empowering skill to teach your kids.”
“My six-year-old daughter raised her Barbie doll to my face, that was Passion for building premier San Diego businesses from the ground-up
buried in my laptop, and in wisdom beyond her years spoke to me in runs in the Ross family. Her husband Steve’s fascination as a child with
Barbie’s voice, ‘Don’t you want to relax and go for a walk on the beach tropical fish blossomed into Aquaman Aquarium Services in Carlsbad. He
and feel the sand through your toes and just have fun?!’” Her then 6-year- specializes in design and fabrication of residential and commercial aquari-
old’s playtime intervention turned out to be Stacey Ross’ most important ums. He turned his excitement into expertise thanks to his parents foster-
business lesson. ing his love of fish keeping. Another great lesson to parents to always
Ross turned her young daughter’s plea into her personal commitment to embrace their child’s curiosity - you never know, they could be successful
what she calls “kids first, make the rest happen.” This savvy founder of entrepreneurs like the Ross’
SanDiegoBargainMama.com learned early on how to find the right mix of I’m inspired by highly successful people who have the ability to build
helping others while, at the same time, helping her own family. Her jour- sophisticated businesses in the public-eye, yet stay grounded like Stacey.
ney began after choosing to be a stay at home mom with her two young For her “it’s knowing when to listen to your intuition.” That inner guidance
children. But after four months she grew restless; she always valued hav- system has become one of her super powers. “That first tiny voice you
ing a strong presence in her community. hear is the right answer.”
Stacy is a natural born “connector.” Long before the internet Stacey re- Stacey Ross’ formula for her media maven success includes equal parts
calls how her desk was full of post-its of people’s names who she should compassionate drive to help San Diego families, using her innate match-
connect for business or friendships. So when she had the calling to start making gifts in modern marketing tactics, and setting guilt-free boundaries
a blog she combined her love of matchmaking with creativity to serve a between business and family. This winning combination will continue to
"Jewels" Mixed Media on paper
budding community of moms - all while earning a supplemental family fuel her success in San Diego and beyond!
income - on her own terms.