What if the doors that never opened for you were actually protecting you from a path that wasn't truly yours? Stephanie Matthews spent 22 years as a photographer, constantly pushing against barriers that wouldn't budge despite her talent and connections. It wasn't until she founded A Tribe for Jazz that she realized those decades weren't wasted—they were divine preparation.

Stephanie's story begins with a trumpet, played in middle school bands where she discovered her natural gift for collaboration. Years later, as her father faced illness, she picked up a camera to document and understand him. His parting words—"go live your dream"—launched her into photography, a career that took her from New York fashion studios to dance halls across America. Despite her success, something was missing. Those closed doors weren't failures; they were redirections.

The pandemic forced a reckoning that revealed her true purpose. Through A Tribe for Jazz, Stephanie has created something revolutionary—using jazz not just for entertainment but as a catalyst for transformation, education, and healing. "I've accomplished more impact in these four years than I did in 22," she shares, highlighting how perfectly her past prepared her for this present.

What makes this conversation so powerful is Stephanie's insight about recognizing when seasons end. "You have to know when the forces are telling you it's time to move on," she cautions. "It can be dangerous mentally when you overstay a season." Her wisdom about giving ourselves grace in whatever season we find ourselves offers profound comfort to anyone questioning their journey.

Ready to reframe your seeming detours as divine preparation? Listen now, and discover how your past might be perfectly preparing you for a purpose beyond what you've imagined. Then share your own story of unexpected preparation with us—we'd love to hear how closed doors led you to open windows.

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She Suite Society is a community where women from all backgrounds come together to share their stories, support one another, and reveal the unfiltered reality of our lives. New episodes drop every week wherever you get your podcasts.