Ali Stofflet: Between the Panic and the Paycheck

In Episode 13 of Season 2, Ali Stofflet offers a refreshingly candid look at entrepreneurship, anxiety, and the myth of the “dream business.” With heartfelt honesty, she shares her journey from owning a holistic parenting product distribution company to reentering the workforce as the Director of Business Outreach and Growth at the Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce.

Ali discusses how the pressure of business ownership triggered panic attacks and constant stress, ultimately leading her to seek stability, collaboration, and a sense of peace through a W-2 role. Her story challenges the glamorized narratives of small business ownership often found on social media, and instead highlights the invisible labor, emotional toll, and self-doubt that frequently accompany the entrepreneurial path.

This episode explores the deeper truth that ambition and anxiety often co-exist, and that success isn’t always about pushing harder. It’s sometimes about choosing differently. Ali discusses how communities can better support small business owners not just economically, but emotionally. She also unpacks the power of collaboration, the need for honest conversations about burnout, and the importance of shifting public perceptions around entrepreneurship.

In a surprising and metaphor-rich segment, Ali reflects on what beekeeping has taught her about business, community, and grace. Her reflections offer both personal insight and collective wisdom, especially for anyone questioning the roles they’re expected to play.

Guest Information:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-ali-stofflet-90a494a6/

References:

Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce – https://www.arvadachamber.org/

Porchlight Family Justice Center – https://www.porchlightfjc.org/

Arvada Sunrise Rotary – https://arvadasunriserotary.org/

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Credits and Acknowledgements:

Hosted, Produced, and Edited by Heather Pridemore. https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-pridemore-mba/

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