Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Zaruba Fountaine
Hi Julie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story began with an interest in helping individuals and organizations thrive by prioritizing well-being and meaningful change. Early in my career, I faced the challenges of burnout firsthand. This experience not only shaped my perspective but also inspired me to dedicate my work to helping others navigate hectic lives with a sense of harmony and purpose.
I founded Empower Possible, a wellness and change management organization, to transform how people and organizations approach health, wellness, and growth. Through workshops, consulting, and keynote presentations, I’ve been able to create practical solutions that make well-being an integral part of everyday life.
Before Empower Possible, I worked as a Wellbeing Specialist, where I successfully increased utilization of employee support programs and exceeded enrollment goals for wellness initiatives. These achievements taught me that small, intentional changes can lead to significant transformations. Today, I blend those insights with my current role as a Change Management Coordinator and Planning Director for the State of Minnesota, where I focus on supporting employees during organizational transitions. I continue to uplift well-being and change management in the organizations I consult with through Empower Possible.
Empower Possible embodies the lessons I’ve learned along the way: the importance of persistence, progress, and the power of community. Whether I’m helping a team create sustainable change or guiding individuals to align their lives with their values, my mission remains the same—empowering others to move from a state of chaos to one of harmony and well-being.
It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m excited to continue growing while helping others do the same!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but the challenges have been some of my greatest teachers. Like many others, I’ve faced moments of uncertainty and self-doubt, especially when launching Empower Possible. Starting a business rooted in well-being and change management required not only a leap of faith but also a deep commitment to the mission, even when the path forward wasn’t clear.
One of the biggest hurdles has been helping individuals and organizations recognize the value of investing in well-being and change management. Many people view these areas as “nice-to-haves” rather than essentials, so showing the tangible benefits of these efforts has been a key focus of my work.
Another challenge was learning how to define my business in a way that resonated with clients while staying true to my vision. I focus on both VOI (value on investment) and ROI (return on investment), integrating organizational values with measurable outcomes. This approach isn’t widely accepted, and I’ve received pushback from some business coaches who suggest sticking to more traditional metrics. However, I strongly believe in aligning values with outcomes, and despite the resistance, I’ve stayed committed to showing how this dual focus creates sustainable and meaningful change.
Additionally, I didn’t leave my full-time job when I started Empower Possible, which created its own set of challenges. Finding harmony between managing my career and building a business requires intentional time management, prioritization, and learning when to say “yes” and when to say “no”. There were times when it felt overwhelming to juggle both responsibilities, but that experience taught me how to create systems that support both personal well-being and professional growth.
I also don’t do this work alone. One of the early struggles was finding others who understood the vision, mission, and values behind Empower Possible. Building a support network of like-minded individuals was essential to my success—a success that would not have been possible without the encouragement, expertise, and collaboration of others. Whether it’s mentors, colleagues, or my community, the people around me have played a vital role in helping me bring this mission to life.
Navigating burnout earlier in my career was another defining struggle. It took a lot of introspection and boundary-setting to transform that experience into something that could help others. That personal journey wasn’t easy, but it’s been the foundation for everything I’ve built.
Building a business also comes with its logistical and emotional challenges—balancing client needs, managing growth, and staying true to my mission while adapting to unexpected changes. These moments stretched me in ways I hadn’t anticipated, but they also gave me the resilience and creativity to keep moving forward.
Through it all, I’ve learned to embrace the messy, imperfect parts of the journey because they’ve led to some of my most meaningful growth. The struggles have fueled my passion for helping others create harmony in their own lives, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Empower Possible?
Empower Possible is a wellness and change management organization that helps individuals and organizations find harmony in their hectic lives while achieving meaningful growth. I specialize in integrating well-being into everyday life and organizational culture in a way that’s both practical and transformative. The work is rooted in the belief that small, intentional changes can lead to significant transformations over time.
At Empower Possible, I offer a range of services, including workshops, keynote presentations, consulting, and free resources like reflection workbooks. Our programs, such as Mountain 10 and Career Crossroads, guide individuals and teams through personal growth and career transitions. I also collaborate with organizations to create custom solutions for managing change, building well-being into workplace cultures, and enhancing employee engagement.
What sets Empower Possible apart is the focus on VOI (value on investment) as well as ROI (return on investment). I align organizational and personal values with measurable outcomes, emphasizing sustainable, long-term impact rather than quick fixes. This dual approach ensures that the work not only delivers results but also resonates deeply with individuals and teams.
I pride myself on creating experiences that are engaging, actionable, and human-centered. Workshops and presentations are designed to meet people where they are, providing tools and strategies that they can immediately apply to their lives and work. Clients often tell me that our ability to connect deeply and authentically is what makes our approach different.
For example, one client said “This is one of the best course one could consider taking. I had the opportunity to have a taste of it during its developmental stage and it was a UNIQUE experience compared to many other courses, especially the way in which in make you think and reflect through, involving ‘self’ in its deepest way. Anyone with urge to ‘unlock your potential’ – go for it.”
– Mountain 10 Participant”
One of the things I’m most proud of is the way Empower Possible has grown. This wasn’t built overnight—it took persistence and collaboration—but seeing the ripple effect of the work in the lives of individuals and organizations is incredibly rewarding.
What I want readers to know about Empower Possible is that I am here to help you create meaningful change. Whether you’re an individual looking to explore your values or navigate a change or an organization seeking to foster a culture of well-being, I am ready to partner with you. My mission is to empower you to move from chaos to harmony, and I firmly believe that by prioritizing well-being and intentional change, you can unlock incredible potential.
If you’re ready to take the next step, I invite you to explore our workshops, resources, and consulting services. Together, we can transform not just how you work, but how you live.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is helping people and organizations discover harmony and purpose in their lives and work. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it can be when individuals align their actions with their values, and when organizations create environments where well-being is prioritized.
This matters to me because I’ve personally experienced the challenges of burnout and the struggle to find harmony in a fast-paced world. Those experiences ignited a passion within me to create spaces where people can thrive—not just survive. Whether it’s through workshops, coaching, or organizational consulting, I am driven by the belief that small, intentional changes can spark transformative growth over time.
I also deeply value community and connection. I believe that no one achieves success alone, and I’m committed to fostering relationships and networks that uplift and support others. Seeing people come together to achieve common goals, celebrate progress, and navigate challenges is incredibly fulfilling.
Ultimately, what matters most is making a positive impact, one that’s both meaningful and sustainable. Empower Possible was built on this foundation, and it’s a reflection of my commitment to helping others create lives and workplaces that are rooted in harmony, purpose, and well-being.
Pricing:
- Career Crossroad 99.00
- Mountain 10 297.00
- Consulting 350.00/hr
- Key Note 825.00/hr
- Full day event 2000.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.empowerpossible.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerpossible/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Empower-Possible-LLC/100086568280125/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@empowerpossible
- Other: https://empowerpossible.com/lets-connect/
