In today’s very special episode of the Give Back Model podcast, Christine speaks with Meg Stevens, the founder of Tree of Hope Creations, a company dedicated to creating motherhood keepsake and memorial pieces. During their conversation, Meg shares some of her background, how she came to be involved in her current work, and the boundaries she has developed for herself as she creates pieces for her customers using ashes, hair, burial dirt, clothing and more. She also shares her emotional connection to each and every precious shipment she receives, and her experience going viral on TikTok for her compassion and vulnerability. Please note that this episode does contain some sensitive conversation around loss of a child and miscarriages.

Meg explains how her business began as a way to help others through their grief and motherhood journeys, and then goes on to address the importance of building a platform, particularly in the context of running a business. Her experiences with using social media to promote her work are recounted, including  dealing with negative comments and criticism and the importance of just diving in and starting to use social media, even if it is intimidating or scary. Meg also describes her experience with breastfeeding, and  highlights the incredible support she receives from her husband, including a particularly meaningful plaque he has created for her. Listen in today to learn more about Meg's remarkable story, the beautiful, meaningful pieces she creates for her customers, and the emotional weight that accompanies this important work.

For more information and other episodes on companies and entrepreneurs who give back, please visit TheGiveBackModel.com. 

Episode Highlights:

• Meg’s work with Tree of Hope Creations and how it began
• Meg’s emotional connections to each and every shipment she receives
• Her TikTok experience
• Meg’s personal and professional history
• Her experience with breastfeeding and her husband’s amazing support
• The emotional weight of handling such precious cargo 
• Creating something so personal and meaningful for her customers
• Dealing with negativity online
• Being vulnerable and showing real feelings and passion in her work

Quotes:

"Hundreds of customers trust Meg and her team to create these gifts from their loved ones’ ashes, hair, burial dirt, clothing, and so much more."

"I feel like I got lucky. I got very lucky in the growth and being able to be part of so many different people's journeys and even helping people through their grief and through motherhood"

"He wanted to make me something that would mean the world, that would say, ‘Thank you for taking care of our kids. Thank you for nursing our kids.’"

"He was amazing and supportive, and I honestly couldn't ask for better."

"I'm so afraid I'm going to screw it up. I'm so afraid that I'm going to mess up and not touch someone's loved one."

"I remember getting the package and just holding my breath because I had someone's daughter in my hands."

"I was making something that she would be able to hold of her actual child."

"I get a whole lot of crap on social media, whether it be people like making fun of us for breast milk because they don't understand, or just that emotional side of it.”

"If you're scared, just do it. It can change your life."

"Those ten people that are liking your post, that's ten people that love you."

"It's worth it, it's worth it. I would do it a million times over."

Links:

The Give Back Model website TheGiveBackModel.com

Follow The Give Back Model on Instagram @thegivebackmodel

Tree of Hope Creations