Written by Krystal Jugarap
The Journey to Empowerment – Life is a beautiful thing, but it doesn’t come without challenges.
As our EM/POWEREDbyWMN community grows, we have the honor of hearing countless stories of women defying the odds and navigating all of life’s hardest moments. We witness the transformations these challenges lead to and the incredible, empowered women who come out on top of it all. We see women choosing to step into their power and start using their voices for the betterment of their community and their own lives.
For Krystal Jugarap, founder of EM/POWEREDbyWMN, the road to empowerment revealed itself when she made the decision to start challenging the status quo and living life on her terms. There came a point where she felt as if she had checked all of the boxes society laid out for her and that it was time to start living the life she always envisioned for herself and her family: a life that celebrates bold ideas, creativity, and not being afraid to take up space and do things differently.
This turning point in the way she approached life led to a whole new perspective on what was possible. Countless doors of opportunity began opening–opportunities that felt aligned with the life she dreamt of. New relationships started forming that were full of support, understanding, ambition, and inspiration. Krystal recognized the depth of the power each one of us holds in the trajectory of our own lives, and that power only revealed itself once she decided to step into it.
Life challenges us not to beat us down but to ignite the fire in us to rise up, reflect, and expand our own presence and way of thinking so that we can pave a more impactful path forward.
We asked the women in our community to describe a pivotal moment in their journey that led them to feel empowered and to do the work they do today. Here’s what they said…
A pivotal moment in my journey happened when I realized jewelry was more than just a hobby—it was my way forward. As a child, I always loved crafting, whether it was making hair bows, pottery, or jewelry. As I got older, I thought, “Why buy jewelry when I can make it myself?” After college, I faced a health challenge, and I found myself turning to my craft for comfort. Before I knew it, I was surrounded by bracelets and necklaces. That’s when it hit me: What if I turned this into a business? So, in the early 2000s, with no idea what I was doing, Lynnique Jewelry was born.
Years later, after earning my Master’s and teaching for a decade, I hit another crossroads. After my daughter was born, I knew I couldn’t leave her to go back to a career that didn’t fulfill me. I took a leap of faith and decided to pour my heart into Lynnique, even though it meant stepping away from the career I’d worked so hard to build.
Now, as I work to grow my business, I hope my daughters will look back and be proud. I want them to see that women can create something meaningful, take risks, and build a life on their own terms.
– Lynne Intintoli
I’ve learned that there are several pivotal moments, each shaping your path to your destiny. The most impactful for me was leaving my 30-year corporate career to become an entrepreneur. I walked away from a stable, high-paying job and bet on myself. What I quickly realized is that no amount of planning truly prepares you for reality. Using my hard-earned savings to maintain my lifestyle and needing to make changes was humbling, but it also sparked a fire in me that I didn’t know existed.
There’s immense power in knowing the buck starts and stops with you. It’s motivating. In a short time, I learned that I can do hard things. The skills I gained in corporate America have fast-tracked my journey. Fear can’t stop me; in fact, I’ve learned to face it head-on and do it anyway! Reflection has also been empowering—seeing how far I’ve come fuels my progress. I’ve learned the value of building a community that understands and the importance of sharing your knowledge to help others along their path. Fully empowering: all of it.
– Teri Day
One of the most pivotal moments in my journey was when I realized my voice could make a difference. I had spent many years in a corporate environment where I felt my ideas and contributions were overlooked. However, after a challenging experience where I was asked to take on a leadership role in a project outside my comfort zone, I found the courage to speak up and advocate for what I believed in. That moment taught me the power of trusting my instincts and having confidence in my abilities. It was a turning point that pushed me to step into a more authentic version of myself.
This realization led me to start my company, Seek Coaching LLC, and my ministry, MarieZQ Ministries. Today, I know I am doing what I was called to do. Seek Coaching LLC focuses on empowering individuals and businesses to launch, lead, and thrive. We specialize in helping entrepreneurs and organizations overcome challenges, grow sustainably, and reach their full potential through dynamic workshops, leadership development, and speaking engagements. Through this work, I have the privilege of guiding others in finding their own path to empowerment and success, just as I did.
– Marie C. Zoutomou – Quitanilla
A pivotal moment in my journey came when I decided to pursue certification as a Domestic Violence Counselor Advocate through the Women’s Shelter of Long Beach. For years, I had been trapped in a cycle of toxic relationships and burdened by a victimhood mindset. My belief system was clouded by feelings of unworthiness, and I struggled to see a way forward.
The certification process was a turning point and an absolute game-changer. It required me to confront my pain and trauma, understand the roots of my struggles, and develop tools to heal. This transformative experience helped me realize the strength and resilience I carried within me. By shifting my mindset and cultivating a clear vision for the life I wanted, I was able to reclaim my power and break free from harmful patterns.
This journey not only changed my life but also ignited my passion for empowering others to do the same. Today, I dedicate myself to building communities and helping women step to their highest potential. Empowering others to find their inner strength and create purposeful lives has become my higher calling, filling me with gratitude and a profound sense of fulfillment every day.
– Nikki Frechette
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