I first saw Stephanie when she was a host of the Web Agency Summit in 2023.
I kind of hope Stephanie doesn’t read this because, in a strange way, I think of her as an older sister. It might not make much sense – but somehow, it does.
She has this grounded, level-headed way about her that makes me sit up and pay attention – like someone who always knows what matters most.
As of this writing, we haven’t met in person, but I have a feeling we will someday. I’ve become a regular at her Focus on Your Biz calls every Thursday. While we technically “talk business,” the vibe is relaxed and organic- no agendas, no egos. Just one thoughtful conversation flowing into the next.
Stephanie by AI
A Life-Changing Health Scare
Bud kicks off the episode with Stephanie Hudson, diving right into her harrowing health scare—a diabetic coma. She shares what it was like to be unconscious yet somehow aware, and how hearing her loved ones’ voices helped her stay calm when she came to. Recovery wasn’t easy, but the experience gave her a new outlook on life.
Roots, Role Models, and Rerouting
Stephanie opens up about growing up in Pittsburgh and how her parents’ loving marriage set a high bar for relationships. After briefly pursuing art education, she shifted gears to web design, learning the ropes through Photoshop and HTML before landing a role training design agencies at a software company.
From Freelance to Focus WP
That journey led her to start Focus WP, a white-label agency helping small businesses outsource web development and design. Along the way, she’s learned a lot about balancing work and life—especially after her health scare—and how being genuine and strategic in business goes a long way.
People, Personality, and Purpose
The episode wraps with a fun chat about Stephanie’s outgoing personality, her love for connecting with others (especially helping introverts shine), and her deep interest in psychology and human behavior—both in life and in the WordPress world.