We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jacqueline Powell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jacqueline below.
Hi Jacqueline, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Powell 2 Empower was born from a combination of passion, purpose, and personal experience. Throughout my career, I realized that my greatest joy didn’t come from meeting quotas or achieving external benchmarks, it came from helping others see their own potential and thrive. Whether I was mentoring a colleague, connecting with a client, or simply sharing my story, I found that empowering others felt deeply fulfilling and aligned with who I am.
The idea grew naturally as I reflected on the moments that shaped me. I’ve faced challenges that pushed me to grow, moments of doubt that forced me to find resilience, and opportunities that showed me the power of believing in myself. I wanted to share those lessons with others, to provide tools, encouragement, and a roadmap for navigating their own journeys, both personally and professionally.
The name, Powell 2 Empower reflects not just my own name but my mission: to create meaningful change by helping other find their voice, overcome obstacles, and step into their power. It’s a reminder that empowerment isn’t just a one-time event; it’s a ripple effect. When you empower one person, they go on to empower others, creating a cycle of growth and possibility.
The journey to building Powell 2 Empower started with a simple question: “How can I make the greatest impact?” The answer was clear, to use my voice, my experiences, and my passion to inspire others. And that’s exactly what I set out to do.
Jacqueline, 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?
My career began with a deep appreciation for connection, storytelling, and relationships. Rooted in the wine industry, I cultivated expertise across every facet—building strong client relationships, managing operations, and fostering growth for businesses and individuals alike. Through those experiences, I discovered that my true calling lay not just in growing brands but in empowering the people behind them.
As my professional path evolved, I leaned into what came naturally: inspiring others. I began sharing insights on navigating challenges, unlocking potential, and driving results, all while maintaining a focus on connection. This passion eventually led to the creation of Powell 2 Empower, a platform dedicated to helping individuals and teams grow personally and professionally. Whether addressing small groups or large audiences, in person or virtually, I thrive on energizing others through storytelling, actionable insights, and authentic connection.
Today, as a motivational speaker, strategic leader, and trusted collaborator, I bring my skills full circle: fostering long-term relationships, uplifting others in chaotic environments, and driving transformation. My journey is proof that when you align your purpose with your passion, the possibilities are endless—and it’s my mission to help others see the same in themselves.
The road to becoming who I am today wasn’t always smooth. Early in my career, I faced the challenge of navigating an ever-changing wine industry, where I had to constantly adapt to market demands, build credibility, and earn trust in competitive spaces.
A struggle I encountered was overcoming the internal and external “noise”—the voices of doubt, comparison, and expectations. Whether it was societal pressure to follow a traditional path or the fear of stepping into a new arena like public speaking, I had to confront my own mindset. It wasn’t always easy to silence those doubts, but I realized that clarity comes through action. Every time I took a step forward—whether small or significant—I gained more confidence in my abilities and my purpose.
Stepping into motivational speaking required me to share my story authentically and vulnerably. At first, this was uncomfortable. Exposing the struggles, failures, and lessons I’d faced meant risking judgment. But I quickly learned that true connection happens when you allow yourself to be seen fully. By sharing not just my successes but also the struggles I’ve overcome, I created space for others to see themselves in my journey. Vulnerability became my greatest strength and the foundation for building trust with my audience.
While I’ve come a long way, the truth is the journey never really ends. I still face challenges, moments of uncertainty, and new opportunities to grow. But now, I approach those struggles with a different perspective. I see them as stepping stones—each one shaping me into a better speaker, leader, and person.
I share these struggles not to dwell on them but to celebrate the lessons they’ve brought. They taught me resilience, adaptability, and the power of staying true to who you are, no matter how bumpy the road may be. Today, I use those experiences to empower others—reminding them that their struggles don’t have to hold them back. In fact, they can be the very fuel that propels them forward.
What fills me with the most pride is the impact Powell 2 Empower has had on the lives of others. Watching people shift their mindset, unlock their potential, and rediscover their confidence has been the greatest reward. Seeing someone walk away from one of my talks with a new sense of clarity and purpose reminds me why I started this journey in the first place.
I’m proud of stepping into my authentic voice—choosing to share my story, my struggles, and my lessons in a way that inspires others to take action in their own lives. Starting Powell 2 Empower was a leap of faith, and it taught me the importance of trusting myself, even when the path wasn’t clear.
Building something from the ground up that aligns with my passion has shown me that success isn’t just measured by external accomplishments but by the lives you touch along the way. Whether it’s a single individual who found the courage to take the next step or a team that left feeling empowered to work together more effectively, I’m proud that my work creates real, meaningful change.
More than anything, I’m proud of the courage it took to start. I turned my vision into reality and have stayed committed to my purpose: helping others thrive, no matter where they are on their journey.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Before I turned 40, life had already handed me a series of challenges that could have broken me. Two divorces left me questioning my worth, my choices, and my future. Everything I thought I had built, love, stability, a sense of direction, was gone. Starting over felt daunting. The idea of rebuilding my life from scratch seemed impossible, especially when I wasn’t sure where to begin.
At first I did what many of us do when faced with overwhelming pain: I kept myself busy. I threw myself into work and into distractions that kept me from sitting with my own emotions. I slowly realized that the life I was piecing back together couldn’t be built overnight and if I was going to succeed in life again, it all had to start with me, and learning to love the person in the mirror again.
That’s when the journey to self-love began. It wasn’t a single moment of clarity or a sudden transformation. It was a series of small, intentional steps. I started by giving myself grace, acknowledging that my worth wasn’t tied to my past mistakes or what hadn’t worked out.
I learned to forgive myself for the ways I’d fallen short and to celebrate the strength it took to keep moving forward. Divulging all of my emotions and thoughts to my dog and my horse became my daily therapy.
What I didn’t expect was how empowering it felt to start over. I stopped chasing perfection and started embracing progress. Not long after turning 40, I realized that the woman in the mirror was one who had survived, had learned, and who was ready to thrive on her own terms. Starting over wasn’t a setback, it was a chance to rebuild a life that truly reflected my values, my passions, and my worth.
Today, I look back on those difficult years not with regret but with gratitude. They forced me to become the person I was always meant to be: someone who knows her value, who leads with compassion, and who loves herself unconditionally.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
When I joined Toastmasters in June of 2024, I wasn’t just looking for a place to practice speaking; I was seeking a community that could help refine my skills, challenge my perspectives, and expand my presence in the public speaking industry. Toastmasters has been more than a platform, it’s been a transformational space for growth and credibility,
One of the most significant ways Toastmasters has helped is by honing my storytelling ability. The structured environment encourages me to craft speeches that are not only engaging but impactful. Every project pushes me to find new ways to connect with audiences on a deeper level, helping me define my unique voice and stand out in a competitive public speaking world.
Being a part of a global community of speakers such as, Toastmasters has opened doors to collaborations, mentorships, and speaking opportunities I might not have found otherwise. It’s helped me establish credibility among peers and introduce me to people who inspire me to aim higher in my career.
As I continue to grow my business, Powell 2 Empower, and navigating the speaking industry, Toastmaster remains a cornerstone of my journey. It’s more than a club, it’s a launchpad for my vision, helping me strengthen my skills, expand my influence, and create a lasting impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.powell2empower.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powell2empower/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-d-powell/
