Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kathleen Powell, Owner of Anchored Collective Grief Recovery, located in Sherwood Park, AB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Anchored Collective is a place where truth, hope, courage, love, and unity reside, anchored in Grief Recovery using The Grief Recovery Method® program. I am an advanced GRM specialist using this evidence-based program. I was taught through the Grief Recovery Institute®. This is education, not therapy, although very therapeutic.
I have also trained in Trauma-informed facilitation, as well as completed the Science of Hope Program and Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Program, all through the Imagine Institute of learning. The GRM is an action-based program helping grievers move from grief to recovery. Recovery from loss is achieved by a series of small and correct choices. It's not about forgetting. It's about letting go of the pain associated with our losses.
I love what I do. I teach online one-on-one and group Grief Recovery® sessions using the Grief Recovery Method® (GRM) from the Grief Recovery Institute®. As a collective, I also am available for public speaking to talk about the uncomfortable conversations around grief, hopefully making this topic more comfortable.
I love to share information sessions on grief and recovery from the pain of our losses using my life experiences. I use humor, honesty, love, and respect. There is no judgment here. My clients are grievers, people who have suffered a loss or losses and are feeling stuck and want to feel better.
Tell us about yourself
I'm Kathie. I am a recovered griever and trauma survivor. I'm a lot! I retired from a high-stress corporate job I loved almost six years ago now to concentrate on being a grandmother, a forever learner who is working on this little side passion with purpose..." Anchored Collective-Grief Recovery" using The Grief Recovery Method® program.
I have been married to my husband for over 42 years. We share our home with our gentle giant rescue dog, Wendel. I adore being who I am, the real, unedited version. Being me includes but isn't limited to wife, mother, doting grandmother to 6 almost seven amazing grandchildren, being a dog mom to Wendel, being a sometimes podcast co-host, singing all the time, and taking walks into the woods.
I love a good hat, trying new things, and being an accidental entrepreneur. I am so proud to add Advanced GRM Specialist certified in Trauma Informed Care, a "what next" coach and a listener to the list of things I love and do. I have experienced significant trauma and loss in my life. In my education, I learned there many different types of losses and that each trauma experienced is as unique as we are.
No one can tell us how we feel because they don't know. This program was like the missing puzzle piece in my own journey through trauma and grief. My life significantly changed for the better after completing the GRM in August of 2020. I got my life back, the one that had been hidden in all the coping mechanisms I used to function before recovery occurred.
I feel more at ease in my emotions and the freedom to express them.
I have learned that there is recovery from grief, and we can overcome our trauma when we have a safe environment being able to operate with honesty, connection, and choice. There is hope. There is a life after trauma and loss. Anchored is that place of safety, connection, and choice.
I have a big heart, and I am driven to give back. I instantly felt compelled to share this newfound understanding of grief and recovery, trauma-informed care, and coaching with others. As you can see, Anchored is a collective. Here is the current collective...I teach grief recovery education. I do informational speaking. I provide trauma-informed care. I am a mentor and coach.
I offer confidential one-on-one Grief Recovery Method(GRM) Education and support, Helping Children with Loss education and support (For adults). Currently, all sessions are online. I have added confidential GRM online group education training.
It is an honour to walk with grief and trauma survivors as they walk through recovery using these evidence-based programs. I love what I do and the people I serve using this method.
We all have a story.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My accomplishment as a business owner is seeing people recover from the pain of their losses and begin to live their lives again. Seeing them figure out who they really are now. Hearing them tell me they actually feel better and they have hope again. This is why I do what I do.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Saying no to someone in need. It's hard to turn down anyone, but I have learned if I go past my threshold and don't honour my boundaries, I'm not able to give the best version of myself, and that is what every one of my clients deserves. So I will either ask them if they can wait to work with me and schedule a time within a month, or I refer them to someone I trust will give them the best care.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
My top 3 tips to anyone looking to start and grow a business would be...
- Be honest with yourself
- Don't wait to start till everything is perfect. You will never start.
- Listen to your gut and trust yourself.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Have fun on this journey, and don't be too hard on yourself. Don't take defeat as final. It's a lesson. Try to learn from it. When you know better, you can do better. Share what you know, encourage others, and be kind. Keep people in your life who challenge you, are honest with you, and encourage you.
Look at each mistake, unpack it, ask the hard questions, give honest answers, and don't be afraid to ask for help. Read, read, read and learn as much as you can from those who have gone before you. Be proud of yourself.
Keep some time in your schedule to get away from work for a minute or two (or week or two) … you will come back refreshed.
Where can people find you and your business?
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/KathiePowell7
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkathleenberenice/
Website: https://anchoredcollective.com/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.