Stephanie Wandke

io Web Design & Strategy 

 

The Home Trust (THT): What first compelled you to enter your business field?

Stephanie Wandke (SW): In 2007, I took two years off from a high-demand and stressful career to travel and volunteer around the world. When that time came to an end, I wanted to figure out a way to continue the lifestyle I had while making an income. After a few business ideas, and making a website for each of them, I realized I really enjoyed making the websites! I asked an entrepreneurial friend if he needed a website for his business, and he did, and my business was born!

 

THT: Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career and why?

SW: This is a great question and I think the answer is my best friend Shaylene. From the very beginning, she encouraged me to follow my unconventional ideas and her advice in my professional and personal growth has always been spot on. She continues to connect me to big opportunities and sees my potential before I do. Thanks, Shayene!

 

THT: If you could have told your 20-year-old self one thing, what would it have been?

SW: Invest in things that you are interested in and align with your values instead of following trends or traditional advice.

 

THT: Please tell us about your family and your personal life.     

SW: Even though I don’t live close to my family, we love to meet up in different places around the world and go to exciting events! Our last big trip as a family was to Australia to do some touring and see the British DJ Fatboy Slim.

 

THT: Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career and why?

SW: This is a great question and I think the answer is my best friend Shaylene. From the very beginning, she encouraged me to follow my unconventional ideas and her advice in my professional and personal growth has always been spot on. She continues to connect me to big opportunities and sees my potential before I do. Thanks, Shayene!

THT: What is the best advice you have received and who was it from?

SW: I was actually still in college, and one of my friends who graduated before me, Carlton, gave me the best advice that I still use to this day. He told me as my income increased, to not increase my cost of living exactly the same percentage. If you do that, you will always be “broke.” Wise words from a twenty-something!

THT: What’s on your wish list?

SW: I have a very dynamic bucket list that is on my refrigerator at all times! I spend my life chasing those dreams. This year I’m going to focus on learning handstands and getting interviewed for a magazine.

 

THT: Do you prefer the country or the city?

SW: I’m a city kid for sure. I spent decades living in jungles, log cabins on a river, and in very wild and remote places as well…. But I feel most alive surrounded by people in a busy city and enjoying exciting event!

 

THT: In what ways has your company or your industry changed over the years?   

SW: Well I work in digital marketing, so it changes everyday! It’s unbelievable to me how dynamic my industry is, and it keeps me coming back to the office with excitement each time!

THT: The one thing I’ve had forever is:

SW:  My confidence.

THT: What do you miss the most?

SW:  My dad.

THT: Do you have a style or business icon?

SW: Sara Blakely of Spanx. I took her MasterClass, and was immediately enamored with her business style and sense. What really struck me is when she talked about starting in her industry and connecting with other entrepreneurs and business owners who happened to all be men. They told her over and over that business was brutal, tough, and full of sharks. She refused to subscribe to that and lead with her heart and gut intuitions. Later those men all came back – after confessing they bet against her – and asked… so how do I lead with my intuition?

THT: What is your favorite object that reflects extraordinary design and why?

SW: For me, I will always have a special heart in my place for the iPod. As a music lover, the ability to have that giant book of hundreds of CDs in my pocket with the absolute simplest and most elegant of designs, well it was really mind-boggling. A game changer!

THT: What makes a room (or building design or your product category) sing? 

SW: What makes a website sing is the right imagery. For example, I have a lot of clients that work in real estate, and most Real estate websites have pretty similar layouts. People just want to search for properties or sort through them. The quality of those images, the coloring of those images, the brightness, the composition, it all adds up to a more pristine showcase, which translates into greater engagement and more sales.

 

THT: What place most inspires you?

SW: Every summer I go with my sister to Electric Forest. It’s an unbelievable music festival and art installation in Michigan, look it up.

 

THT: What book have you read recently that you enjoyed? Why?

SW: The Four Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris. I still have my original print version from 20 years ago, with some highlights and notes. I just reread it again and each time I read it I’m a different person, and I get so many more great insights from it. It’s about working towards freedom of time and location through efficiency, elimination, and outsourcing.

 

SW: Do you have a favorite museum? Why is it your favorite?

THT: Any time I visit a city, I aim to check out their contemporary art and natural history museums. I do have a special attraction to the British Natural History Museum…especially the rock collection!

 

THT: When you’re not working where are you most likely to be found?

SW: With my friends at a fun local event.

 

THT: What makes a great organization?

SW: A shared vision.

 

THT: Why The Home Trust? 

SW: For me, it’s important that my home be a refuge where I am enveloped by well-appointed details and soothing design. I value the professionalism and sophistication The Home Trust brings to any project.

 

THT: If you could be granted one wish. What would it be?

SW: I would really appreciate the ability to teleport easily and comfortably to anywhere in the world instantly.

 

THT: If you weren’t in your current field, what would you be doing?

SW: Fundraising.

 

THT: Who is on your personal ‘Board of Directors?

SW: Shaylene, David, and Lisa.

 

THT: What is your personal luxury?

SW: Wine. I love to shop for it and learn about it while drinking it, hopefully near the place it was made!