Lessons from Gwen

I first met Gwen at an art gallery hosted by people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. She was there as an artist, and I was there to recruit employees for my budding social enterprise (Resera, a jewelry company that employs women overcoming homelessness). Within minutes of conversation, I knew Gwen was the type of person I’d like to work with, so I was thrilled when she agreed to a job on the spot. A survivor of domestic violence, Gwen was living in shared housing with little to her name. Still, she radiated positivity and enthusiastically launched into conversation during our daily carpool to make jewelry, often sharing about her dream of becoming an art teacher.?

In the early days, our small team worked out of my co-founder’s bedroom, too scrappy to even meet the entrepreneurial standard – working out of a garage. One such afternoon, a local nonprofit, Community Care Fellowship (CCF), introduced themselves over email, and I quietly opened their video link. Behind me, Gwen noticed and peered over my shoulder. “I used to sleep in that parking lot!” She blurted. “They’re good people. You should go meet them.” A few weeks later, we were moving our operation into CCF’s facilities.??

As our jewelry sales slowly grew, we developed a path that would allow each Maker to “graduate” from Resera with sustainable self-sufficiency. Leveraging nonprofit partnerships, we solidified the bedrock of the Resera programming: housing, career counseling, therapy, and financial training. Gwen was the first Maker to gain housing through Resera and our partners, and she wept as she walked through the doors. Only a few months later, we learned that CCF was hiring teachers for their new child development center. Although Gwen was nervous, she took the plunge and decided to interview. She got the job, making her a teacher at the organization where she used to sleep in the parking lot.??

Gwen was the first “graduate” from Resera, and videos of her graduation ceremony speech still bring tears to my eyes. She is a picture of kindness and perseverance in the face of difficult circumstances, and she humbly uses her story to empower those struggling through similar circumstances. Through speaking events and personal relationships, Gwen has found purpose in encouraging others. When sharing her bio for Resera, she said:?

“I found out that I’m more than a survivor; I’m an overcomer. And because I overcame, I’m able to help other people overcome.”

Gwen has done exactly that, and I’m proud to call her a friend to this day. ?

If you’re facing your own set of challenges, whether personal or professional, consider how you can apply Gwen’s lessons, using hope, perseverance, and positivity to take the next step. On the other hand, this may be a season where you can help those who may be experiencing difficult paths you’ve already walked. Like Gwen, you may be uniquely positioned to connect and encourage. Regardless of your situation, I hope you find inspiration in Gwen’s story. You, too, are an overcomer. ?

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a fantastic week!?