Go Getter Gals Podcast - Episode 36: Steffani Symons - "Shef Steff"

Ever feel like you've pivoted one too many times? 💜 Hannah sits down with Steffani Symons, a San Diego private chef who has built a career across fashion, furniture design, and food. She's the creative mind behind Shef Steff, and she'll be the first to admit she still has "wait, I'm a chef?" moments. But this conversation goes so much deeper than career changes. Steffani and Hannah get real about turning doubt into fuel, being the new person in a small town, imposter syndrome, and finding the common thread that runs through every pivot. In this episode, we cover: (00:15) Meet Steffani and today's theme: pivoting and finding what you're meant to do (01:04) Fashion school, styling for LA fashion week, and turning down the move to LA (03:24) From fashion to furniture: flipping pieces in the garage as a creative outlet (05:15) The LOVE bookshelf that took off and building a team of builders and shippers (07:44) Opening a brick-and-mortar store and the hard truth about being the new person in a small town (12:48) Pivoting into food and falling in love with the service industry (15:12) "You don't have what it takes": turning someone's doubt into fuel (17:19) Almost signing a restaurant lease on the day COVID hit (20:28) Why a business partner matters if you're opening a restaurant (22:36) From pop-ups and a commercial kitchen to becoming a private chef (27:19) Advice for anyone who wants to start a cooking business (29:22) What she's building now: Recipe Remix and Good News Is on the Menu (31:49) The common thread: creativity across every pivot (33:36) What legacy means to Steffani (34:40) Pivot shame, imposter syndrome, and leading with your heart (37:00) How to connect with Steffani Symons A few of our favorite moments: "It's not even about the why, it's about where is that leading you and where is your heart in it?" "Just take one step at a time and just lead with your heart and you'll get to the right place." "Just be your authentic self and just go out there and spread your gift." Connect with Steffani: Instagram: @theshefsteff TikTok: Shef Steff YouTube: Shef Steff Good News Is on the Menu: TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram Go-Getter Gals is a FREE women's networking community built on Growth Through Connection — Personal, Business, and Networking. Connect with Go-Getter Gals: 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561190723548 📸 Instagram: @go_gettergals 🌐 Website: https://go-gettergals.com/ 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and anywhere else you tune in 📍 Join us in person in Dothan, AL. at Mural City Coffee on the 2nd Thursday of every month, 5:30 PM — always free! #GoGetterGals #WomenEmpowerment #WomenInBusiness #SelfWorth #podcast