22: Supporting Women Survivors with Thistle Farms Founder Becca Stevens

Becca Stevens' first memory is of her dad being killed by a drunk driver. She later recalls childhood sexual abuse. When I asked Becca what she wanted to be as a young girl, her response is simple:

She wanted safety, a sanctuary, and grew up to offer that to people. "I became the things I longed for - it wasn't a 'job'," Becca says. "I became the things I longed for even when I was little and didn't have the words for it."

For Thistle Farms founder Becca Stevens, motherhood came first. She's been married for 30 years to a singer-songwriter. She knew she wanted to create a sanctuary for women survivors, but she also knew there was no time. 

But one day, as she buckled her 4 year old into his car seat, she realized she was going to take action on her dream of helping women survivors, and committed to doing whatever it took to meet the community need. 

In this episode, Becca and I discussed so many important topics for moms:

• How motherhood and the birth of each of her three children launched a new stage in her career
• The challenges she faced as a working mom running a residential center for women survivors and a church
• Identifying and embracing her "weaknesses" and finding volunteers or interns who can do that area of the business well
• The hardest stage in creating an organization (hint: lots of sweat equity and not a lot of glamour!)
• What she learned from saying 'no' to certain requests and opportunities.

Becca's down-to-earth attitude is something that will resonate with the busy moms listening to the show. You can learn more about the mission of Thistle Farms and Becca Stevens on Instagram. Be sure to check out their candles and soap products in your local Whole Foods store!