Inspiring Conversations with Gigi Stephenson of Silver Key Career Solutions

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gigi Stephenson

Hi Gigi , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In 2016, I was navigating life as a single mom working for a government contracting company. I loved my career, but it wasn’t enough to create the life I wanted for my daughter. The pressure of balancing work and home life while ensuring our financial security was overwhelming. I knew I had to find a way to earn more and provide us better opportunities.

I realized that I could leverage my résumé-writing skills and that there was a need, especially for women in this area. At first, it was just a moonlighting gig, and I found clients by networking in local mom groups—other women like me navigating career changes or returning to work after taking time off for their families.

It was a modest start! I was helping people whenever I had the time, and it seemed to work. But then things started to pick up, and word-of-mouth spread, and before I knew it, more people were reaching out and asking for my help. At this point, I didn’t even consider myself a business owner!

Then came the turning point. One night, someone messaged me, asking for my service file. I paused. Service file? I didn’t have a service file—hell, I didn’t even have a business name! I realized at that moment that this little side hustle had the potential to be something bigger, but I was unprepared.

I told a small fib (eek!) and told her I wasn’t home and I would send it later. As soon as I hit “send,” I jumped onto GoDaddy. I needed a business name—something professional, something that sounded credible. But honestly, it was pure improvisation. I thought, “Let’s keep it simple—a color and an object.” That’s how Silver Key was born. There’s no grand story behind the name; it was just the first available domain I could find, and it worked.

I created my service file in Word that night and sent it off. From there, things started to take off. I made $12,000 in my first year—nothing life-changing, but it was a solid start. By the second year, I had doubled that amount, and demand had grown so much that I had to bring on a team to help. It was no longer just a side hustle; it was a business, and a thriving one at that.

Two months after launching Silver Key, I had the opportunity to take another leap. I joined forces with JoNita “JoJo” Cox, an incredible woman who shared my passion for helping others succeed. Together, we created Networking Women of the Triangle, a group dedicated to connecting women in our local area with resources, career support, and, of course, each other. This new partnership opened doors I hadn’t even considered.

Networking Women of the Triangle quickly gained traction, bringing new visibility to Silver Key. Being part of this network gave me access to a broader audience, and our group became a hub for professional women hungry for career advice, mentorship, and connection. JoJo and I poured our energy into this community, which stands strong today with more than 57,000 members!

This partnership and visibility were game-changers. By the third year, Silver Key had tripled its revenue from the previous year. What started as a one-woman show was rapidly growing into a full-fledged career services company, and I could now bring on more team members to keep up with demand. Looking back, I realize how pivotal that decision was—to partner with JoJo, push myself out of my comfort zone, and network in ways I hadn’t before.

Eight years later, our team is 11 strong, and we’re on the brink of something even bigger with an upcoming acquisition. It’s been a journey filled with uncertainty, hustle, and unexpected partnerships, but each step has led to where we are today—evolving beyond my wildest dreams.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like many small businesses, Silver Key faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, and there were moments when it felt like we might not make it. We had to pivot quickly, implementing new strategies to survive, often barely scraping by month to month. But we pulled through, just like so many other small businesses – just barely! Currently, we face the rise of AI. While AI can inspire, we don’t use it to write résumés. There’s something deeply personal about telling someone’s career story—AI can’t capture the essence of a person the way a fellow human can. Résumés are more than just lists of achievements; they’re stories that connect past experiences to future opportunities.
Additionally, we contend with the influx of outsourced résumé writers. Unlike those services, we never outsource. Our team is comprised of brilliant women, mostly from North Carolina. One of my core values is employing these incredible women and creating opportunities for them, which is far more important than cutting costs by sending work overseas. Our diverse team and personal, hands-on approach are what set us apart.

We’ve been impressed with Silver Key Career Solutions, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Silver Key Career Solutions, we are a full-service career company offering everything under the career development umbrella. From résumés and cover letters to LinkedIn profiles, interview coaching, and career strategy, we are dedicated to empowering individuals at every stage of their career journey. Our mission is to help clients highlight their strengths and align their experiences with their career aspirations. Every résumé we craft is unique, reflecting the individual’s journey and accomplishments in a way that helps them stand out in a competitive job market.

What we’re most proud of as a brand is our diverse, all-women powerhouse team, most of whom are local to North Carolina. Our team members come from various backgrounds, bringing a wide range of perspectives and experiences, enabling us to serve a diverse group of clients. This diversity strengthens our ability to connect with and support individuals from all walks of life. We are deeply committed to providing personalized service that ensures every client’s voice is authentically represented.

Silver Key is not just about writing résumés—it’s about transforming careers. Whether you’re seeking a promotion, changing industries, or re-entering the workforce, we’re here to help you confidently take that next step. We’re proud to be a company that values diversity, prioritizes personal connections, and delivers top-quality, personalized career services.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something that might surprise you is that I own multiple businesses! After founding Silver Key Career Solutions, I launched my own government contracting company, specializing in language and cultural immersion programs. I also recently launched No Show Hero, a martech start-up that’s quickly becoming the “cool kid in town” in the start-up world.

Outside of business, life is full, exciting, and constantly evolving. I’m the proud mom of a 15-year-old daughter and an 11-month-old son—talk about starting over! It’s been a gift to experience parenthood at such different stages of life while running multiple companies. Every day brings a new adventure, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Openly liberal and proud <3

Pricing:

• Currently we are working on a sliding scale to accommodate personalized budgets.
• As always, we offer tons of free resources to ensure everyone has access to career services.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.silverkeync.com
• Instagram: @silverkeycareersolutions
• Facebook: @silverkeycareersolutions