It's Time to Celebrate! The Job I Created Because I Couldn't Find It

 

October 19, 2026 Regenerate Your World  Build the future you want to live in. I know these times aren't the easiest for all of us, but I am an optimist - I see the glass as refillable instead of half-full or half-empty. To brighten up your days, I publish the Regenerate Your World newsletter coming to your inbox on a bi-weekly basis. Let's Get Empowered!

The Job I Created Because I Couldn't Find It Celebration 5 years Empower Possible Dear Empowered Reader,  On October 11, 2021, I did something that felt equal parts brave and surprising: I started Empower Possible, and it began with a reckoning. A friend gave me that word, the great reckoning, and it fit. I had spent years as an intrapreneur, loving the work of building things that hadn't existed before. Then the pandemic arrived, and I stepped into a role I thought would last a few weeks. It lasted a full academic year. It stretched every skill I had and gave me the confidence to look beyond the place I'd been for so long. I was also burned out.  Between 2019 and 2021, I applied for 67 jobs, spending most Saturday mornings on applications. That adds up to a lot of Saturdays, and a lot of "no thank you." So I decided to try something different. If I couldn't find the job I wanted, I would create it, and Empower Possible was born. Photo from a recent conference presentation where I got to lead the group in accessing their own inner wisdom. Here is what five years looks like through the seasons. Spring: The Planting Spring is the season of beginnings, and mine was messy. I started the business, then slowed it down to keep searching for steady work. In the fall of 2021, I accepted a well-being role, and in November I became part of the Great Resignation statistic. I started the new job in December. A few months in, reinvigorated, I picked Empower Possible back up. Spring taught me that you can plant a seed, walk away for a season, and find it still alive when you return.  Summer: The Growth Summer was when things started to build, and I learned I didn't have to build it expensively. I developed a lean startup, using free resources, a small business development center, a women's entrepreneur fund, a free online course, and a lot of networking events. I made my first big investment of $1,000 in the platform, and I remember feeling giddy. It was the first time I'd put real resources behind my belief in myself. Then the doors started opening: A scholarship-based entrepreneur program accepted me into its cohort. I reviewed health equity grant proposals for the state. I did my first podcast interview, and then a whole run of them. I started a newsletter list at zero and kept showing up. I stepped onto stages, small and large, to share what I was learning. Here is what five years of showing up adds up to: 118 newsletters written and sent 17 podcasts recorded 11 online courses developed 48 events hosted and presented And I learned to say what my time is worth. After a few awkward emails, I negotiated my first speaking stipends. It was uncomfortable, and it was worth it. Summer taught me that growth begins when you decide you're worth investing in.  Autumn: The Letting Go Seasons don't always arrive on schedule. My autumn started in the spring of 2022. I began Empower Possible with a business partner, and it became clear we were headed in different directions.  The decision was made that I would carry the company on my own. At first I was shocked, and then I realized it was right. Letting go of that version of the business made room for the one I'm building now. It also left me a set of lessons I'd rather share than keep to myself: Get the contract as clear as possible. Don't assume it will all work out. When someone shows you who they are, believe them. Be conservative in your agreements and plan for the worst. Do your homework. Research and outline every option before you sign anything. Put the work into the foundation. No one knows your business as well as you do, so stand up for what you built. Autumn came back again in 2023. I entered a pitch competition and tied for Audience Favorite in two rounds of voting, then lost the coin toss for the prize. I was disappointed until I realized it was a gift. If I had won, I would have reshaped the business around hustle. I don't want to hustle. I started Empower Possible as a creative outlet, and I want to protect that. A year later, a coaching circle helped me name two breakthroughs. First: I can't control what others think, and doing things to prove people wrong doesn't serve me. Second: I want to measure success by values and impact, not only by money. Joyful success is still success. Autumn taught me that letting go isn't the opposite of building. It's part of it.  Winter: The Reflection Winter is quiet. For a long time, I wanted to rush through quiet seasons. I've learned they are where the roots grow. In my winter, I made a big move to a new city, and I stepped into a new role as the first change manager at a brand-new state agency. I completed a certification in a process called Mountain 10, and when I used it to ask whether to continue with my business, the answer came back clear: keep going, and keep bringing my perspective on empowerment into the world. I'm also serving on a board, helping decide where grant funds go to support local organizations. In 2025, I received a Difference Maker Award, which was an honor. Something else shifted when I let myself dream bigger. For years I thought of my work as local: a workshop here, a conversation there. Then I started saying my goal out loud: I want to have a national impact. And the opportunities started coming. I've since been invited to serve on regional and national conference planning committees.  Helping shape what leaders learn, and who gets to share it, is an honor I didn't see coming. I don't think that's a coincidence. What you plant in the quiet shows up when the ground thaws. When I gave my vision room, the invitations followed. The best advice I received in the early days came from a woman in my Lean In group: learn what you need to learn when you need it. I love to learn, and I used to chase every resource and tutorial. Now I write down the most important task, learn only what I need to finish it, and move on. If it isn't connected to the next action, it waits. Winter is also where the Wisdom of Winter Retreat, February 25 to 28, 2027, comes in. It feels like the right place for this chapter to lead. Winter taught me that rest is a form of readiness, and that dreaming bigger is part of the work. To Everyone Who Believed in Me To the colleagues who showed up when I first started sharing this idea. To the mentors who gave me honest advice. To the friends who listened to the long, winding version of the story. To the clients, podcast hosts, and fellow entrepreneurs who gave me a stage, a push, or a vote. To the organizers who saw something in me and made room at the table. To my family, who cheered me on through seasons that were not easy for any of us. And to you, for reading. The shoulders I stand on are the arms that will catch me when I fall. I know exactly who you are. I'm grateful beyond words. A Practice for You Take 20 quiet minutes and map your own journey through the seasons. Remember that they may not arrive in order. Spring: What did you plant, even when you weren't sure it would grow? Summer: What did you invest in because you believed in yourself? Autumn: What have you released, and what room did that make? Winter: What is resting in you right now, waiting for its time?  Reflection Questions Which season are you in right now, and can you let it be what it is? What would you create if you couldn't find the thing you wanted? Who are the shoulders you stand on? Have you told them lately? What would you dream of if you stopped editing it down to "realistic"?  Take the Quiz To celebrate, I made something for you. Take a few minutes to find out where you are in your own season of change:  Take the quiz here Here's to the Next Five Thank you for being part of this story. The next five years are about reaching further: more rooms, more voices, and more people discovering what's possible. I can't wait to see what grows next, for you and for me. With gratitude. Take care, Dear reader, Julie Empower Possible | empowerpossible.com One year in. I celebrated with a single Goddess bar from a local bakery and a candle that carried a lot of hope. Look closely, and you'll spot the long hair, a pandemic souvenir from a whole year without a haircut. Some seasons are about growing in ways you can see. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription. Excerpt from, Citizenship in a Republic by Theodore Roosevelt Shared in my first newsletter "The Man In The Arena"  Theodore Roosevelt From a speech at the Sorbonne Paris, France April 23, 1910  "It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

In the Media Where can you find EMPOWER Possible? In addition to posting on my own social media, I collaborate with other entrepreneurs. Below is an expert from a Minnesota Change Management Network newsletter that showcases one of the ways I collaborate. Welcome to the September Edition of the MnCMN Pulse Newsletter!   September has been a busy month here at MnCMN!  We wrapped up the September Summit with panelists: Julie Zaruba Fountaine, Laurie Phillips, and Nikole Shovein. The panel was facilitated by Renae Wollin from TruStone Financial. This thoughtful conversation took many turns, but it was interesting to hear how each of the panelists effectively led change when they didn't always have all the pieces. For Neighborhood House, during Metro Surge the people they serve were highly impacted. Mobilizing volunteers and delivering food and other necessities became a grass roots effort led by their mission of helping immigrants. Some of the interesting comments came from members in the audience about the power of a flattened leadership model and the commitment of teams who are part of a mission-driven organization.   Join the conversation on LinkedIn,   Thank you Julie, Laurie, Nikole and Renae for a great Summit and discussion. Also, a special thank you to Neighborhood House for providing such a warm space for this important discussion.  Upcoming Events Wisconsin Employee Wellness Conference December 8-9, 2026 Madison Wisconsin I’m excited to share that I’ll be speaking at the Wisconsin Employee Wellness Conference, presented by Wellness Alliance, on December 8–9, 2026 in Madison, WI! Now in its 35th year (formerly the WCWI Employee Well-Being Conference), this is the largest employee well-being conference in the Midwest, bringing together HR, benefits, wellness, and culture leaders from across the region. If you’re working in HR, wellness, talent development, or organizational culture, I’d love to see you there. Let’s connect and talk about building healthier, more resilient workplaces together. Wisdom of Winter Retreat February 25-28, 2027 Nisswa, Minnesota Join us for a restorative winter women’s retreat designed to help you slow down, reconnect with yourself, and create space for deep renewal before stepping into the next season of your life. Click here to go to our co-host’s website and learn more. Can’t Make it to the retreat? Sign up for the waitlist for our next offering, please click HERE to complete the formMountain 10 Workshop April and May, 2027 Faribault’s Future Program  To identify emerging leaders, to develop and broaden their knowledge of the community, and to motivate and inspire them to become leaders within Faribault. People interested in developing a stronger sense of leadership within the community, or their careers are encouraged to apply. The program is valuable for employees and employers looking to acquire new leadership skills and perspectives. Class members also closely examine elements of the community through tours, speakers and panel discussions each month. For more information on the Faribault’s Future course, contact Kymn Anderson or call 507-334-4381

Connect with me on social media! Copyright © EMPOWER Possible  Northfield, United States EMPOWER Possible is dedicated to empowering individuals, organizations, and communities to organize and act together to regenerate our world through Self, Social, and Systems transformation.  info@empowerpossible.com \ Website \ Mission You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in my work—thank you! You can change your email preferences or unsubscribe at any time.  Disclaimer: This newsletter contains content that has been modified and inspired by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. While we use ChatGPT to enhance our content, it should not be considered professional advice. For specific concerns or decisions, please consult with a qualified professional or trusted source. The newsletter authors are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided by or inspired by ChatGPT.

Edit preferences or Unsubscribe

What Systems Make Renewal Possible?

 

October 5, 2026 Regenerate Your World  Build the future you want to live in. I know these times aren't the easiest for all of us, but I am an optimist - I see the glass as refillable instead of half-full or half-empty. To brighten up your days, I publish the Regenerate Your World newsletter coming to your inbox on a bi-weekly basis. Let's Get Empowered!

What Systems Make Renewal Possible? The taxi is in line, waiting for a rider.  Photo credit: Jill Hoffert Dear Empowered Reader, Twyla Tharp starts every day the same way. She wakes, puts on workout clothes, and walks outside to hail a cab to the gym. This is her morning ritual. In her book The Creative Habit, she explains that the habit isn't the two-hour workout that follows; it's the moment she raises her arm for the taxi. By the time she's in the car, the decision has already been made. The system did the work her willpower didn't have to. I have my own version of that taxi, and it happens the night before. Every evening, I lay out two outfits, one for work, one for my workout. I prep breakfast and lunch so they're just waiting for me in the morning. And I set my workout clothes somewhere I can grab them fast, mid-morning or whenever the window opens. None of this is glamorous. It's genuinely just laundry and a couple of Pyrex containers.  But here's what it does: it removes every decision from the moment I'm least equipped to make one. I don't wake up and negotiate with myself about whether today's the day I work out. The clothes are already there, already easy, already done. The workout stops being a hassle to talk myself into and becomes the next obvious step in a sequence I set up twelve hours earlier. That's the whole trick. I'm not more disciplined at 6 a.m. than anyone else. I just made sure 6 a.m. me had nothing left to decide. A typical breakfast. Steel cut oats, peanut butter, banana, and chia seeds. All ready for me when I need it! Charles Duhigg's original habit loop, cue, routine, reward, has held up for over a decade for a reason: it explains why a structure becomes automatic. But the more interesting question habit researchers have circled since is whether automatic is the same as useful. A habit loop doesn't check its own math. It doesn't know if the routine it's protecting still serves the person running it. It just knows the loop worked once, so it keeps offering the loop. That's the distinction I want to sit in this issue: a system's strength, its ability to run without your conscious input, is also its weak point. The same automaticity that gets me into workout clothes without a debate is the automaticity that keeps someone else checking email at 9pm four years after the job that required it ended. Here's what doesn't make it into most habit-and-productivity content: familiarity feels like support. That's the trick. A routine you've run for fifteen years feels load-bearing simply because it's old, not because you've ever actually tested whether it still holds weight. We rarely audit our systems because auditing requires suspecting they might be wrong, and most of us built our systems precisely so we wouldn't have to keep deciding. So the systems that are quietly draining us get to hide in plain sight, wearing the same "this is just how I do things" costume as the systems that are actually renewing us.   This week, I'm not asking you to overhaul anything. My outfit-and-breakfast system didn't start as a grand plan; it started because I played tennis in college and tennis practice started at 5 am. I valued every bit of sleep I could get, so I started picking out my outfits and prepping meals the night before so I could sleep until the last minute.  Now it is your turn. Pick one automatic routine in your own life and trace it back to the moment it started. Ask what it was actually built to do. Not what it's for now, in retrospect. What job it was hired for, originally. Then ask if that job still needs doing. An affirmation I can look clearly at what holds me without needing to tear it all down. Seeing my systems is not the same as abandoning them; it's how I find out which ones are still mine. A practice Pick one daily or weekly structure, a routine, a ritual, a recurring commitment. Write down: What it was originally built to do What it's actually doing for you now Whether those two answers match If they match, that's a system worth reinforcing. If they don't, you've just found your next small edit. Reflection questions What's one structure in your life that still earns its place, and how do you know? What's one you've never questioned simply because it's familiar? If you designed today's routines from scratch, knowing what you know now, what would you keep exactly as it is? Which Season Are You In? Growth doesn't happen in a straight line; it happens in seasons. Answer eight quick questions to find out which one you're in right now, and what might actually help you move through it. Don't overthink it; just pick the answer that's closest to how you're feeling at the moment. Take the quiz Take care, Dear Reader,  Julie Founder Empower Possible Sources: Charles Duhigg, The Power of Habit (habit loop: cue, routine, reward); Twyla Tharp, The Creative Habit https://form.jotform.com/262443940792160 Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription. Changing Habits by Tom Wright Our past we can't change,... Read the rest at https://www.poetrysoup.com/poems/habits Upcoming Events Wisconsin Employee Wellness Conference December 8–9, 2026 — Madison, WI I'm excited to share that I'll be speaking at the Wisconsin Employee Wellness Conference, presented by Wellness Alliance. Now in its 35th year (formerly the WCWI Employee Well-Being Conference), this is the largest employee well-being conference in the Midwest, bringing together HR, benefits, wellness, and culture leaders from across the region. If you're working in HR, wellness, talent development, or organizational culture, I'd love to see you there. Let's connect and talk about building healthier, more resilient workplaces together. Wisdom of Winter Retreat February 25–28, 2027 Join us for a restorative winter women's retreat designed to help you slow down, reconnect with yourself, and create space for deep renewal before stepping into the next season of your life. Click here to go to our co-host's website and learn more. Can't make it to the retreat? Sign up for the waitlist for our next offering — please click HERE to complete the form. Mountain 10 Workshop — Faribault's Future Program April and May, 2027 To identify emerging leaders, develop and broaden their knowledge of the community, and motivate and inspire them to become leaders within Faribault. People interested in developing a stronger sense of leadership within the community or their careers are encouraged to apply. The program is valuable for employees and employers looking to acquire new leadership skills and perspectives. Class members also closely examine elements of the community through tours, speakers, and panel discussions each month. For more information, contact Kymn Anderson or call 507-334-4381.

Connect with me on social media! Copyright © EMPOWER Possible  Northfield, United States EMPOWER Possible is dedicated to empowering individuals, organizations, and communities to organize and act together to regenerate our world through Self, Social, and Systems transformation.  info@empowerpossible.com \ Website \ Mission You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in my work—thank you! You can change your email preferences or unsubscribe at any time.  Disclaimer: This newsletter contains content that has been modified and inspired by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. While we use ChatGPT to enhance our content, it should not be considered professional advice. For specific concerns or decisions, please consult with a qualified professional or trusted source. The newsletter authors are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided by or inspired by ChatGPT.

Edit preferences or Unsubscribe