We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ebony Gibson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ebony, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

Starting my own business was one of the most emotionally and mentally challenging decisions I’ve ever made. At the time, I was part of another company and had invested nearly four years building relationships and pursuing entrepreneurship within that structure. Walking away felt like walking away from family—but deep down, I knew I was being called to something else.

God kept putting Can I Grieve on my heart, and although I was nervous about running two brands at once and confusing my audience, I eventually surrendered to the calling. I told myself: if God gave me the vision, He’d give me the strategy and the strength.

Truthfully, my launch wasn’t a launch at all—it was messy. No photos. No website. No product plan. Just an LLC and a deep conviction that I needed to help people who were silently suffering. After losing a close cousin in 2021, that was the final push. I couldn’t sit in silence while others grieved without support. I initially thought I’d offer services through Can I Grieve, especially since my previous company focused solely on services. But unexpectedly, I started with products—grief care packages. It all began as a thoughtful gesture for my aunt, who was grieving deeply. She was so touched that she purchased several more for others, and that simple act became the foundation of my business.

Looking back, there’s a lot I would’ve done differently. I didn’t research competitors or clearly define my services. I had no formal business plan or structure—just heart. I wish I’d taken time to plan a proper launch, create a website, and define my brand. I didn’t have a grief-specific coach at the time and felt alone in the space. I leaned on free local resources like SCORE and just figured things out as I went.

To anyone thinking of starting their own practice: don’t wait until it’s perfect, but don’t jump without preparing either. Do your research. Find your community. Get clear on your why. And remember—clarity often comes with action, not before it.

Ebony, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I entered the grief coaching space after experiencing a series of personal losses—first my mother, who passed unexpectedly in 2017, followed by my grandfather and cousin. When I finally launched Can I Grieve, we were in the middle of a global pandemic. People everywhere were grieving—not just loved ones, but also routines, careers, relationships, and life as they knew it. I felt called to create something that could offer support, education, and empathy during those moments of heartbreak and transition.

I founded Can I Grieve as a safe space for individuals to process their pain and rediscover their purpose. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to help millennial women rediscover their purpose after experiencing loss.

I’ve seen firsthand how grief can strip away your identity, your confidence, and your voice. That’s why I do this work—to walk alongside people as they reclaim those parts of themselves.

What sets me apart is how I show up: with realness, compassion, and no judgment. Whether you show up in a bonnet, robe, or tears—I meet you exactly where you are. My approach is relaxed, client-centered, and rooted in trust and authenticity. I also understand my scope and take pride in knowing when to refer clients to licensed professionals if their needs exceed my expertise. That kind of integrity matters deeply to me.

I don’t just bring personal experience—I bring professional expertise. I’ve done the healing work in my own life, and I’ve invested in the education to lead others through theirs. So when you work with me, you’re getting the best of both worlds: lived experience and professional guidance.

Our services include individual grief coaching, corporate wellness workshops, community wellness events, and customized support for families impacted by trauma and gun violence. Whether it’s in a 1:1 session, classroom, retreat, or healing circle, we help people understand this truth: grief is work—and you don’t have to do it alone.

What I’m most proud of is helping people believe in themselves again. I’ve witnessed clients move from “I don’t know who I am anymore” to “I’ve found purpose in my pain.” That kind of transformation is priceless. I’m also incredibly proud of our annual Can I Grieve boat ride for parents who have lost children to gun violence. It’s become a sacred space for healing and connection—a moment where grieving families can come together, feel seen, and remember they are not alone.

At its core, Can I Grieve is about more than grief—it’s about growth. It’s about walking with people through the darkest seasons of their lives and helping them emerge not just whole, but stronger. My brand is built on healing hearts, breaking chains, and guiding people back to the version of themselves they thought they lost.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

If I could go back in time, I would absolutely choose the same profession—without hesitation. After everything I’ve experienced, there’s no way I could imagine doing anything that didn’t fill me with purpose. Can I Grieve has become more than just a business—it’s a calling. It’s given me hope, healing, and a way to honor my loved ones who are no longer here.

While I’ve gone through my own grief journey and sought support, there’s something deeply meaningful about being able to walk alongside others in their own process. Helping someone move from feeling lost, stuck, or hopeless to finding clarity and purpose again—that’s what makes this work so fulfilling. There’s no greater reward than helping God’s people rediscover themselves after loss.

This work has healed me in ways I didn’t even expect. Each client I meet teaches me something new about grief, about love, and about resilience. They help me grow just as much as I help them. If I had to do it all again, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m walking in my purpose, serving in love, and healing while helping others heal—and that, to me, is everything.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Throughout my journey I’ve had to navigate more than just the emotional weight of my clients’ stories—I’ve had to navigate my own. From the beginning, I invested heavily in business coaches, mentors, and trainings. Some were helpful, but many left me disappointed and drained. I had to learn the hard way that not all guidance is good guidance, and not everyone has your best interest at heart. Still, I kept going.

In the midst of building Can I Grieve, I got engaged—and then, I became unengaged. That heartbreak was its own form of grief. I was grieving a future I had imagined. Grieving a version of my life I thought was certain. Grieving my mother all over again because I needed her more than ever in that season. I needed her during the planning, and I needed her during the pain. But my business didn’t stop. I didn’t have the systems or support in place to pause. So I kept showing up. I kept coaching. I kept serving while nursing a broken heart and trying to figure out what came next.

There were also seasons when I applied for grants and funding that didn’t come through. Times I felt unseen, unsupported, and stuck. But each “no” built character. Each obstacle shaped me. Every moment of discouragement taught me the power of resilience.

What keeps me going is the belief that what’s meant for me won’t miss me. I’ve come to understand that setbacks aren’t failure they’re part of the foundation. And now, because I’ve lived through those challenges, I’m able to guide others through theirs. Resilience isn’t just something I teach—it’s something I embody every single day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.canigrieve.org/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/canigrieve?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CanIGrieve
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCSb2IxXxD1UQ363ejjFk_-w