We're excited to introduce our newest Role Model, Molly Stillman! We were inspired by Molly's commitment to purchasing from ethical brands, as well as the lessons she shares about motherhood and raising her beautiful children!

INTRODUCE YOURSELF! TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR FORMAL AND INFORMAL EDUCATION.

I’m a wife to John, a mom to Lilly and Amos, a blogger, podcaster, speaker, abolitionist, and burrito eater. I was born and raised in Herndon, Virginia and went to college at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. I currently live in Durham, North Carolina with my family and I love it here!

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON OR SKILL YOU LEARNED INSIDE THE CLASSROOM?

The importance of hard work and integrity. Cheating never gets you anywhere. Cutting corners doesn’t equal success. You’re only going to really learn the information if you put in the work!

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON OR SKILL YOU LEARNED OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM?

The importance of relationships! We are not meant to do life alone. Being in community is key for anything in life!

WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAY FROM YOUR 10 YEARS AS A COMPETITIVE GOLFER?

Honestly, it was believing in my abilities. I was almost always the only girl among a sea of boys when I played golf… so I always felt like I had to prove myself that I was talented and could hold my own against the guys. I’ve definitely tried to keep that in mind in adulthood, too!

WHO WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE TEACHER?

Mrs. Braaten. I had her for 10th and 12th grade English. She was the first person who told me I was a good writer and that I had potential. She believed in me when no one else did!

WHY DID YOU LEAVE THE TEACHING PROFESSION?

I moved to North Carolina from Virginia in 2009 at the peak of the recession and couldn’t get another teaching job here because no one was hiring. I do miss teaching a lot!

YOU FREQUENTLY BLOG AND POST ABOUT ETHICAL AND NON-TOXIC BRANDS. HAS SHOPPING ETHICALLY ALWAYS BEEN IMPORTANT TO YOU? WHAT ARE SOME SIMPLE WAYS THE EVERYDAY PERSON CAN MAKE CONSCIOUS CHOICES AS A CONSUMER?

My eyes were really first opened to shopping ethically on my first trip to Kenya in 2011. When I saw, first hand, the impact fair trade could have on a person’s life and community… I was all in. So slowly I began to learn more and more about what it looked like to shop ethically and shop fair trade. It’s been a process over 8 years, but I’m so grateful for all I’ve learned. I always tell people… start with one thing. Make the conscious decision to support an ethical brand in one area and then go from there! It doesn’t have to be complicated at all.

I always tell people… start with one thing. Make the conscious decision to support an ethical brand in one area and then go from there! It doesn’t have to be complicated at all.

WHAT IS ONE LESSON YOU YOU’VE LEARNED THAT YOU’D LIKE YOUNG GIRLS LIKE YOUR DAUGHTER LILLY GROWING UP TODAY TO KNOW?

For me, I’m really trying to instill a sense of assertiveness and self-confidence in my daughter. I really struggled with that growing up and honestly still do at times. I pray every day that she sees herself the way God sees her and the way I see her.

I LOVE YOUR BLOG POST DISCUSSING 7 AWESOME CHILDREN’S BOOKS ABOUT KINDNESS AND BEING A GOOD HUMAN BEING. DO YOU HAVE ANY MORE TIPS OR RESOURCES YOU CAN SHARE THAT HAVE HELPED SHAPED THE VALUES YOU’D LIKE TO INSTILL IN YOUR CHILDREN?

I am really intentional about having discussions with my kids at an early age about complicated issues. Obviously I talk to them on their level about it, but I don’t want any topic to be “off limits.” We talk about racism, and we talk about healthy relationships and safe people and unsafe people, we talk about human trafficking, etc. We love being able to have these conversations and answer questions in an age appropriate way!

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW AND WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK?

I just started reading “Dear America: Notes of an undocumented citizen” by Jose Antonio Vargas. I read so much that honestly it is nearly impossible to pick a favorite book… but I reallllllly love “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN TODAY?

That no matter how much you know about a particular topic, you always have something to learn. We’re never experts in anything because we are always learning.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD? WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU?

Check out Molly's website, Podcast, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!