Teressa Ruspi Stann

Q: Where did you attend college?

A: Marywood University & Mercer University

Q: What degree(s) did you receive?

A: Bachelor Nutrition & Dietetics (Marywood), Masters in Nonprofit Management and Organizational Development (Mercer).

Q: Did you attend your dream college?

A: I didn’t really have a dream college. I went to a university that had my major and was close to home as I didn’t want to move away for school.

Q: Do you think your college education was necessary for your success in business?

A: I think the right college education is essential to learn the foundation of your career. Not the time you go to college. Too many land in a major and never use it down the road, and end up going back to school later when they find what area of business/ career they are passionate about. If not entering the medical , or education field , I feel taking business courses, communication and marketing, or psychology classes or a major in business is a useful path. It can translate to any business endeavor you may fall into. Therefore, not wasting time and money. (Then you can always get a masters or executive degree in your exact field when that time arrives, if it does at all!) Also, if mindset is unsure of what you want your career to be now in high school, it’s best to get a job and work, gain experience, maybe get a few certifications, and save money until you become more excited about what you want to go to school for. NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. There is zero expectations to rush into college after high school just because most seem to do that or it’s what a the next step. Most importantly you stay connected to service groups, business networking events, community groups, and gaining life experience and even a vocational school to kick start your career.

Q: Who or what led you to your current career path?

A: I lost a brother to suicide in 2011 which led me to my work in nonprofit management.

Q: Was your current career your first choice, or did you switch?

A: My current career, I have two that I work in and both are very different . It’s a bit of a unique situation. Happy to speak on this one day to you all as well. My current career is in Nonprofit management, but it wasn’t my first choice at all, I fell into this path from a personal experience that deeply impacted my life and my family in 2011. It’s was a journey to turn pain into passion and help others in need. My first career choice out of high school was to go the route of a Physician Assistant, only because I felt it would be a lucrative career. My passion was health, fitness and nutrition. After my first semester, I switched from Physicians assistant major to Nutrition. Best decision I made! I worked in that field for over 10 years . After a major life altering event happened in 2011, my career turned and I found myself starting a nonprofit and learning the ropes to manage and run a nonprofit organization. In the midst of that, I later circled back around to using my degree in nutrition when I opened TR Healthy bites business on 2023, creating healthy nutritional snacks.

Q: Was mentorship significant to your business journey?

A: 1000%

Q: How do you approach networking and the building of professional relationships?

A: Find those that are successful yet humble in business and ask questions, seek advice, if you come to click with them, ask to meet for coffee or jump on a zoom call and say you would love to pick their brain about business . Most importantly ask what challenges and failure they fell into over their lifetime and what they learned . How they have overcome them and what they did to recover from that failure to succeed. It’s not about the success, it’s about the hardships they we learn from. Who cares about the highlights , that most likely came from them failing and learning what to do right when it all went wrong.

Q: What is the ratio of males to females in your business?

A: There is for sure a ratio. But today it’s more prominent for women entrepreneurs to lead . Companies look for them and many states want to support women owned companies. There are some grants available for women in business.

Q: Have you observed or been affected by a wage gap between men and women in your field?

A: I feel that is present, but it’s is shortening. It depends on the job you want and intensity. Women’s roles in life maybe different due to caretaking and bearing children and that limited their abilities to take highly more demanding jobs. Some may choose a less paying job with more flexible to accommodate your responsibilities. If women showcase their experience, confidence in their area of expertise, hold their ground and ask for what they feel is deserved, a company will see the value in you just as equally as a man. Women are know to handle many circumstances differently because it’s our nature and how we think and approach things compared to men. It’s just biology. Never hesitate to state your abilities and ask for fair compensation when it’s deserved.

Q: How have you asserted yourself as a powerful woman in your field?

A: Yes I have. If I didn’t, someone else would have. Stay humble, kind, generous, throughtful. Have good follow through. Do the little things. Make someone feel special.

Q: What has been your biggest tool in gaining credibility in the business world?

A: Confidence. Believing in my abilities were just as good as others. Not comparing myself to others. Focusing on my strengths and abilities. We all bring something different to the table , show them that! I had to keep my mindset off of who was doing what and focus on what I was doing and learn to do it well. Another big tool was show your heart and passion for whatever you do. People see authenticity as real and credible over data and basic knowledge shared. Anyone can do that ! It’s was my passion that was received more than any degree others had or where they went to school. People felt my passion and knew there was drive , hard work, and dedication behind that passion. You can’t teach that . Companies want that. They can teach you their system not how to have charisma and integrity and effort to escalate business

Q: How does social media, if at all, impact your business?

A: If leveraged correctly it’s a great marketing and promoting tool. Very essential. Keep it classy, professional and branded well. Also your personal page needs to match that vibe.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

A: The best piece of rhetorical advice emphasizes the importance of pausing to appreciate life's successes and moments, highlighting that constant pursuit of goals without enjoying the journey is detrimental. It advises valuing the present, recognizing the impact of one's social circle on personal and professional growth, and the importance of setting boundaries for one's well-being. Additionally, trusting one's intuition regarding others' influences, suggesting a careful balance of aspiration and mindfulness. If something feels off, believe it and be aware.

Q: Lastly, what would be the number one piece of advice you would give to your high school self?

A: A few things. Don’t watch what others are doing. Do what you are passionate about and give it 110%. Also, stop expecting so much of yourself too soon. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Taking care of your mental health is the golden ticket to being successful. You can’t operate at 100% with a 25% battery. Less is more. Lastly, pray and ask God to guide and lead you to what’s for you. Ask for his support wisdom to do what’s right. Listen to his whispers, we can feel the power of his love and it’s often he is telling us something and we experience something hurtful and we don’t listen. Stay connected to Jesus and listen to your intuition. Know that it is ok to make mistakes. You are human, it’s how you come back that matters.