Stacey Clark, RN, co-founder of Virtuous Senior Living and Nested Story Assisted Living, shares her 30-year journey in senior living, starting at age 15 as a volunteer playing piano for residents. From nursing director to executive director, to a national leadership role, Stacey saw firsthand what it takes to create real quality care, and where the system falls short. In this episode, she reveals why she walked away from corporate to lead a new standard: hire for heart, build trust through staff relationships, and create the kind of care every resident deserves.

Episode Highlights

00:00 Intro

01:03 Meet Stacey Clark: Senior Living is in Her Blood

01:46 The Happy Hour Spark: From Talk to Action

03:17 Virtuous Senior Living: Doing the Right Thing on Purpose

05:58 The People First Standard: What Corporate Got Wrong

08:31 Hiring for Heart: The Culture Filter That Changes Everything

15:17 Nested Story: Building a Boutique Home Where Care Feels Personal

16:36 The Property Twist + The Yes: How the Dream Got Funded

21:15 Brand, Story, and Meaning: Creating a Place That Feels Like Family

36:34 Leadership + Partnership: How Stacey and Jamie Make It Work

40:15 The Hard Parts: Staffing, Loss, and Carrying the Weight

42:31 Lessons Learned: Systems, Growth, and What She’d Do Differently

46:29 weVENTURE + Support: Don’t Build Alone

49:57 Final Advice: Don’t Wait, Stay Humble, Make Memories

Get Connected

Stacey Clark, RN Co-founder of Virtuous Senior Living and Nested Story Boutique Assisted Living Websites: virtuoussl.com nested-story.com Instagram: @virtuousseniorliving @nestedstory

Episode Sponsors

Valley Bank Local business banking partner helping you start, grow, and scale with confidence. https://valley.com/business

Harbour House Oceanfront Venue Florida’s premier private oceanfront destination for weddings and special events. https://www.harbourhouseevents.com/

About weVENTURE WBC

weVENTURE Women’s Business Center supports entrepreneurs and small business owners through education, mentorship, consulting, and a powerful network of resources. Their mission is to strengthen the local economy by helping businesses launch, grow, and thrive in Florida's Space Coast and Treasure Coast communities.

Co-Hosts + Production Credits

Darcy Manning | THE DARCYMM COLLECTIVE Luxury beauty agency serving Central Florida (bridal, business portraits, private lessons).

https://linktr.ee/darcymm IG: @makeupbydarcymm | @darcymmcollective

KyAlea Monma | HOKU Design Group Award-winning brand and media design agency recognized by USA Today and DesignRush for excellence in brand storytelling. https://www.hoku.design LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyalea/ IG: @hokudesigngroup

Brand + Production: @hokudesigngroup | https://www.hoku.design

Location: Harbour House Oceanfront Venue