“When you tell a story, you spark a connection.”
Stories can teach us all so much, not only about the storyteller or the subject matter, but stories can serve as a guide in our own experiences. I believe we can extract lessons, next steps, and inspiration to incorporate into our own journeys as women.
Hi, I’m Janene King, and this is How She Built It, a podcast by Empower Her Co. Here at How She Built It you can expect stories from small-town female entrepreneurs and everyday women as they share their wins, hardships, lessons, inspiration, and encouragement.
A Little More about Me
I grew up in Kalona, Iowa, with few examples of female entrepreneurs to look up to. I started my career by following the set path, earning an Associates Degree in Business Management before accepting a management role within the Chick-Fil-A franchise. I quickly fell in love with business development and dreamed of someday opening my own Chick-Fil-A store.
…Then I met Nate.
Nate co-owned King Bros, Inc., a trucking and distribution company, and he challenged me to think bigger. He showed me the unlimited potential of building my own business instead of contributing to someone else’s. After we married, I became the VP of Operations for King Bros.
Building Empower Her Co
However, as I entered this male-dominated industry, I quickly realized that my need for connection and belonging was not being met. My friends couldn’t empathize with the sacrifice and hard work that it takes to build a business from the ground up, and at the time, I was the only woman in our company.
I noticed that even when attending networking events, women were often competing for space rather than embracing each other’s strengths and gifts. The entrepreneurial journey felt lonely and isolating.
Out of this desire for community, I planned a small networking event that ended up drawing a dozen driven women who were craving the same community. The energy and excitement were contagious, and I knew we were onto something.
I founded EmpowerHer Co. in 2017, and over the next few years, it grew to serve women throughout Eastern Iowa and beyond. With over a decade of small business management experience, I discovered that being connected to like-minded women is essential to fostering business growth and success.
I am am passionate about helping women to find the support they need to build something great from the ground up. The EmpowerHer Co. community continues to find new ways to serve women near and far, helping them to build smart and own their power, including the How She Built It podcast.
The Podcast Journey
I knew that the power of women in community sharing their experiences went beyond the Eastern Iowa collectives we at Empower Her had created. I felt called to create a platform where women could reach a larger audience and inspire other women to take action on the own dreams in their hearts. And thus this podcast was born.
So, what can you expect here at How She Built It? Join us twice monthly for stories from women who are also passionate about growing small businesses. These stories will be a little personal, a little bit tactical, and a whole lot of inspiring. I hope you’ll join me on this journey we start today.
Contact or Follow for More!
To make sure you’re getting the latest from How She Built It, be sure to follow us on iTunes or Spotify.
And if you’d like more information about our Empower Her Co. services and collectives, we can be found on Facebook and Instagram, or you can visit our website at www.empowerher.co.