Misty Stathos began her career with State Farm in 2001 when she was hired as a Fire Underwriter. In 2009, she opened her State Farm agency in Lexington. Since then, she’s been involved in a variety of community and charitable activities. She currently serves on the Lexington Chamber Board of Directors. She sponsors a variety of local sports teams, supports local schools in numerous ways, and provides charitable support to The Ronald McDonald House of Columbia, M.A.D.D., Pacing for Pieces, and Hope Gala.
Misty became a mother in June of 2012 with the birth of her daughter, Catherine Anne. She was 33 at the time and notes that most of her friends already had children, most of whom were well into grade school by that point. Misty admits that waiting to have children was one of the decisions that came along with owning a business. In the early years of establishing her State Farm office, she worked long hours and couldn’t imagine being an attentive mom while running a business. After her third year in business, she found her groove. She and her husband, George, decided it was time to have a child. She says, “People always tell you that becoming a mother changes your life, and that is true. But it also completely changes your perspective.” In an instant, Misty felt like Catherine Anne was the most important part of her life.
Misty treasured her time at home with Catherine Anne, but definitely felt the pull of her business obligations. She remembers, “It was a strange time where I felt guilty when I was at work for being away from my child and then felt guilty when I was home for being away from the office.” Many mothers can relate! Misty focused her new-found perspective and worked hard to find the balance she needed. That focus and work paid off. And when Catherine Anne was two, Misty and George decided that they would love for her to have a sibling. After four years of trying and eventually undergoing IVF, the Stathos’ welcomed a son, Eli, into the world.
As expected, the balance shifted once again. Misty took the time and made the effort to find the balance between running a business and being a fantastic wife and mother. She’s learned some important lessons along the way, including: There is no such thing as a “perfect” mother or a “perfect” child. She offers this advice, “You have to learn to forgive yourself and laugh at yourself daily. You have to be intentional about the time you spend with your children and the quality of that time.”
For Misty, motherhood is a blessing and a choice. Every day she chooses to put the happiness and well-being of Catherine Anne and Eli ahead of her own. And she wouldn't have it any other way!