The Journey

An interview with Stephen

Tell us a little about your college years at Florida State?

My journey at FSU began as a huge adventure. I moved from a small town in Mississippi to a university whose population was about the same as my hometown. The shift in atmosphere and pace was a bit challenging at first, but I found my stride.

I worked hard for six years to balance the challenges of living an adult life while earning a double major degree in accounting and finance. What I learned at Florida State set the stage for the next phase of my life.

How did getting married and having a family change your life?

Well, I didn’t start a family life for quite a while after I graduated college. I first spent a few years testing my newly acquired knowledge working in the field of finance and accounting.

I was blessed to experience the joys of family life a few years after I graduated from college when my kids were born.

I’ve always had a strong passion for family, and my children served as a super booster to carve my own path in my career.

What’s the story behind RugSmart?

RugSmart is what came next! A dear friend of mine came to visit me one day, and I couldn’t help but notice how tan and relaxed he looked in contrast to me. I wanted some of what he had.

Upon inquiry, he explained to me that he was making his money selling rugs by the roadside. Sure, it didn’t seem exciting at first, but once I dove into the scene, I was hooked.

From there, RugSmart evolved. In 1993, we opened our operation in the Atlanta Metro area with two vans full of inventory and quickly grew our business to operate out of three brick and mortar locations. The industry was hot, and my partner and I were on top!

In 2003, RugSmart Interiors won the Rug Retailer of the Year award for creative selling, recognizing our out-of-the-box approach to profit.

In 2006, RugSmart was recognized at the Atlanta International Area Rug Market with a nomination for Rug Retailer of the Year, and has been moving forward ever since.

What led you to the mental health field?

In 2008, the housing market crashed and it took a lot of the adjoining industries with it. As a result, RugSmart was transformed into an online retail business.

It sounds simple at a glance, but the transformation of the business meant that I had to learn to transform myself too. For many years, I wrapped myself up in all things RugSmart, and now I faced the task of finding a new purpose in life.

My search for purpose is what led me to Mercer University to pursue a degree in counseling. While working on my counseling degree at Mercer, I also attended a teacher certification program in cognitively-based compassion training at Emory University.

What better way to put my life experiences to work than to dive into helping others?

What are some of the most important elements of your practice?

My counseling practice is fundamentally informed by my experience in the business and financial sector and the comprehensive insights I have acquired throughout my career. I possess a deep understanding of loss, coupled with the knowledge and skills necessary to support and encourage recovery and progression.

I adopt a comprehensive and integrative approach to therapy, drawing on both past experiences and contemporary modalities, along with a variety of tactile tools, to effectively address the unique needs of my clients.

Stephen Cumbest MS, LPC, NCC, CRC, CCTP-II

I have diligently chosen my educational path to effectively equip myself to support professionals as they navigate their own trajectories.

As my client, you can have confidence that I am committed to refining my skills and discovering new ways to assist you in your journey. I understand the effort you invest, and it is essential that I match that commitment.

I encourage you to explore the diverse educational experiences I have undertaken throughout the years, and please feel free to reach out to initiate a discussion about your future success.

Blue Skies White Clouds

The Journey

Stephen Cumbest MS, LPC, NCC, CRC, CCTP-II