Stacy Casson

You are a parent of five children who lost your partner unexpectedly, and used your background in continuous improvement to help your kids become more self-sufficient. What were you navigating, and how did empowering your kids help you survive it?

My husband passed a few weeks before my eldest's college graduation, during the COVID pandemic. I had two kids at home and three away at college, working full-time. It was physically impossible to be in three places at once, but my kids were problem solvers. I implemented family team meetings, like at work, which let us set boundaries and empowered everyone to find their own resources. Empowering my kids reduces the mental load I carry and gives them pride in being independent. It's all about independence and interdependence.

You have five children, you have navigated grief and single parenthood, and you built a business in the middle of all of it. What does the real version of strength actually look like for you on a daily basis?

Real strength means not giving up. I want to quit most days and question if what I do has any value. It's never too late. Many parents I work with feel their window has passed. I'm reinventing myself in my fifties, and I see the impact. Because I have empowered my kids, I have more time to myself, and most parents are ready to change once they realize the time and mental load they'd reclaim.

Read the full feature in the September 2026 issue.