We were lucky to catch up with Justine McCord recently and have shared our conversation below.

Justine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

My journey to entrepreneurship began in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. I was asked to train as a group facilitator at an addiction recovery class. I was skeptical about going out to teach during the public quarantine. I overcame the skepticism and trained. It was amazing to see the profound transformation that occurred in such a short amount of time, and I enjoyed spending time with the participants. Due to budget restrictions, I was not selected to teach the next class. I was disappointed. In 2022, I stumbled upon a master ‘s-level nursing program that focused on Holistic Nursing. Upon reading the program description, I felt a great sense of joy and excitement. I had no desire to return to school; however, on a frustrating day at work, I decided to look at the program again, and I felt a surge of joy and excitement. I immediately decided to apply to the program. The following fall, after being accepted into the program, I received a call to become a facilitator for a non-profit organization to teach the addiction recovery class. At the participants’ graduation, I recalled making this statement, “Why can’t I do this for a living?” The following year, I was a co-facilitator at a correctional facility. Once again, I enjoyed teaching and watching the transformation of life before my eyes. It was so exhilarating. In June 2023, I had a dream where I saw myself owning and operating a health and wellness center, teaching classes, offering holistic products, and hosting retreats.

At first, I struggled with the idea, but eventually I decided I desired to make this dream a reality. I solicited the assistance of a business coach, who played a crucial role in guiding me through the process. In the program, I learned a lot about myself and the reason I wanted to become an entrepreneur. It was not about money but about utilizing skills, training, and education to help others improve their quality of life. I initially thought I wanted to help those suffering from chronic pain, but I wasn’t passionate about that niche. Next, I thought I had always had a passion for the next generation. I performed empathic conversations with this group and connected with them. Then, I conducted intensive research to determine what problems were detrimental to their health. I discovered chronic stress harmed their mental and overall health, and I would love to teach them techniques and strategies to manage their stress, thus improving their overall quality of life. I compiled a comprehensive stress management program to enhance adolescents’ and young adults’ resilience and overall well-being.

Justine, 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?

Hi! My name is Justine McCord, the founder and owner of Hepnhnds (Helping Hands) Health and Wellness in Alabaster, AL. I am a Registered Nurse with a background in Medical-Surgical Nursing, Home Health, and RN case management, and I am currently an MSN student studying Holistic Nursing. I have a passion for helping others achieve overall well-being in mind, body, and spirit. I have always had a passion for teaching and have taught and precepted many students and employees.

Patient education has always been a responsibility as a nurse, but I never thought I could pursue it as a career outside of the hospital. My perspective changed when I was invited to teach a communication and inner healing class in a community setting. After completion of class, I realized that teaching was a gift and that I could use it to empower and encourage others to lead a healthy, purposeful life.

At Hepnhnds, I offer individualized and group sessions on stress management (online), teaching the signs and symptoms of stress, positive self-talk, stress management techniques, and lifestyle modifications. I teach short-term and long-term stress management techniques and prioritize explanations on how and why these strategies reduce stress.

What sets Hepnhnds apart? It addresses a negative mindset and offers cognitive restructuring through affirmations. Once a client has a positive mindset, they can effectively implement other components of the program.

What I’m most proud of is that our program is not just about managing stress, it’s about nurturing the whole person, mind, body, and spirit. This comprehensive approach is what sets us apart and is crucial for achieving optimal health.

One thing I want potential clients to understand about Hepnhnds is this: We’re here for you. We understand that life has its ups and downs, and we’re here to offer a helping hand to guide you back on track and help you live your best life possible.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I had graduated from college with a B.S. degree in Microbiology. I was employed as a microbiologist in a hospital laboratory. Even though I was making a good living, I didn’t feel as if I was fulfilling my purpose. I did a lot of soul searching and felt as if I needed to pivot in my career. I went back to school, took additional classes to obtain the necessary prerequisites for nursing school. After taking classes, I applied to nursing school. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I took this leap of faith. I was accepted into nursing school and discovered my calling. This transition from being a medical technologist to an RN was challenging. I went from being behind the scenes to being in the center of everything. I had to adapt to the high-pressure environment of a hospital, learn to manage my time effectively, and deal with the emotional toll of patient care. If I could do it all again, I wouldn’t change a thing because the nursing profession shaped me into who I am today

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

I experienced childhood trauma that left me dealing with shame, rejection, and depression. Even though I had feelings of unworthiness, insufficiency, and low self-esteem, I managed to graduate from college. These feelings still resurfaced until I underwent faith-based inner healing. After completing classes, I noticed self-doubt, insufficiency, and unworthiness lessen. I still used affirmations, a powerful tool that helped me restructure my thinking and displace a negative mindset. The journey of healing from trauma was continuous, and eventually, my perspective shifted, and I started to believe the words I was speaking to myself. Even though I had a negative mindset, I refused to let negativity define my life and success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hepnhnds.com
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/justine.mccord.2025

Image Credits

E. J. Glenn Photography