Always time for family for Logan native

Stephanie Dimas-Tapia was born and raised in Logan. She attended the town's only K-12 school where she graduated with a small class of 25 students. She is the daughter of Jimmy and Linda Dimas of Logan and the youngest of seven, with four sisters and two brothers.

Dimas-Tapia said that in the town of Logan, known for its neighboring Ute Lake State Park, everyone knows everyone. Her mother and father both worked for the school. Her dad was a bus driver, janitor and maintenance man. Her mother was the janitor for the elementary wing and was the babysitter for the school's teachers at their family home across the street from the school.

Dimas-Tapia moved to Clovis in 2004. She is married to Daniel Tapia and is stepmother to Bailee Tapia. She formerly worked as a dental assistant for five years before taking time off in April to help take care of her ill father.

During his recovery, she found a way to balance time with family and entrepreneurship. In June 2017, Dimas-Tapia started working for her own company where she sells makeup and skin care. She said she has found personal growth, success in leadership and confidence in her newfound career.

What do you like about working in direct sales?

I like that you'e taking out the middle man. I like engaging with people and it doesn't feel like work to me. I make my own schedule. The greatest factor is that I'm able to be with my family and I'm allowed to have the freedom to prioritize my time the way I like.

You said the work you do has helped you grow as a person. How so?

I do lot of self development so I feel like I've gained mental and physical preparedness. I feel that I've raised my level of confidence and I've learned to be myself and not worry so much what others feel about what I say or do.

When you were a kid, what did you think you'd be doing as an adult?

I've sang since I was young, but I was shy about it. But when I was 19 I went to American Idol. Prior to that, I'd asked my dad to go. He said the shows like that are made to embarrass people. But I told him that I could really sing. He asked me to sing for him in that moment to test me and so I sang for him and made him cry. He asked me why I had hidden the fact that I could sing and that he would have supported me earlier on. But he sent me to audition in Austin. I made the top 100 and the front page of the San Antonio News Journal. It was a great experience.

Tell us a story about your childhood.

Having lived across the street from the school growing up, I was late all the time. The bus actually stopped in front of my house one day, with my dad driving, and he honked the horn until I came out hurriedly. It was a walk of shame I was 14 at the time and I got so embarrassed.

What's your idea of a perfect day?

I love me some Sundays. We go to church. We go out to eat. We unplug from our electronic devices and just spend time together. That's my perfect day.

Theme song?

'I Was Here' by Beyonce.

What's the best gift you've ever given?

My dad was on life support back in 2006. We had put him on hospice. Once we completely understood the purpose of hospice we decided as a family to take him home to die comfortably. But he pulled through and he's still here. For me, this was a second chance to not ever be too busy for family.

Tell us about your greatest individual accomplishment?

My family. The love we share, the building up and the morals we're teaching against all the odds and just becoming a selfless stepmother because it isn't always easy.

Who's invited to your fantasy dinner party and why?

All of my family, passed and living. Jesus will be there. Being seated at the right hand of God would be my fantasy dinner party.

What do you envision your life being like in 10 years?

I want my husband to be retired and hopefully retire myself by then. I would like to have all the freedom that one could possibly have.

- Compiled by CMI Correspondent D'Nieka Hartsfield