We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelly Fowler. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelly below.

Alright, Kelly thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?

I landed in the healthcare industry by accident. You see, I graduated from art school with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design. I wanted to see people’s visions, draw them and watch them come to life. Thankfully, I did just that as I had a couple of interior design gigs right out of school. I envisioned my life as a successful designer and I was determined to work alongside the best of the best in the industry. Then, 2008 showed up. That world wasn’t exactly thriving and turns out, neither was I. I now found myself on a path that had a dead end.

Life as I knew it, took quite the detour. One that looked a little different. It seemed as if everything that I once knew was in the far distance and I had trouble seeing what was in front of me.

I was lost.

Then, friends of the family heard I was looking for a job and they had just started a Home Health Agency and were on the lookout for an Office Manager. At the time my only thoughts were.. “What do I know about Home Health?” Nothing. “What do I know about office managing?” Nothing. “Who the hell did I think I was thinking I was capable of performing this job?” I was not qualified. I didn’t even know what Home Health was. I wanted to work for rich people, not old people.

I took a long minute to think about this change and while I was not qualified for this job, I embraced it. I took the opportunity to learn everything I possibly could about Home Health. I sat in the office by myself most days so I researched Medicare guidelines. I researched who would benefit from such a service. I built relationships with referral partners. I was determined to be the best damn Office Manager in the field that I never even knew existed a few months prior.

At the time, I had no idea that walking into the doors of that office opened so many doors for my future self.

I was found.

I found myself thriving on wanting to learn. I thrived on finding referral sources and building relationships with them. I thrived on the thought that I wanted to always be the one qualified for the position.

The way that my career headed from that point on was beyond my wildest comprehension. I am forever indebted to the beautiful folks who took a chance on me. As it turns out, I have a huge passion for our senior community and I will go to great lengths to help in any way that I can.

Sometimes a roadblock steers you into the direction you were meant to be in all along.

For that, I am grateful

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Throughout my career in healthcare, I have been blessed with many types of experience. People, including myself, often wonder why I felt the need to work for different companies and have new experiences.

To be honest, it took me a while to understand that as well. I questioned whether this industry was right for me many times. I wondered why I haven’t found the “perfect” place and the “best” experience and stayed there for all the years.

A lightbulb went off in 2020. That was a weird year- you know what I mean? It was because of all of the experience that I allowed myself to have to learn and see things from different perspectives. Remember, I thrive on learning new things. So, because of the uncertainties of that weird year, I took a good minute to think about what it was that I really want. What would make me want to jump out of bed in the morning? What can I do to make a real change?

I went deep. I remember having a conversation years ago with a fellow industry partner and asking “what if we created a safe space for folks to go while they are in a transitional period” We talked about it for a while and spit ideas back and forth and again, at the time, I thought “who am I to think I am capable of doing such a thing”

So, I bagged the idea.

I went on to do more things and gain more experience. Still questioning where I am meant to be as I constantly sought change.

Fast forward a few years and here we are.

This, my friends, is the road that has been paved for me. It took several years to smooth the asphalt. There were a lot of potholes on the way. Several “turn around” signs and a whole lotta flat tires.

I pulled up my big girl pants and I went to my Mom with this idea. We perfected the business model. We presented it to some “money guys” and we built a dream.

BluVillage Respitality was born.

I finally got to draw something and watch it come to life. I got to take my experience and build something that is backed up by passion. I got to use my knowledge and help people that I have watched “fall through the cracks” for years.

Our business was built on “Passion for the People” and we are on a mission. We’re on a mission to change transitional care — how it’s paid for, delivered, and experienced. We are guided by a deep belief that every person should be treated like we would treat our own mother: with loving care and a profound commitment to their health and well-being.

We are full of passion. We are full of fire. We are full of fight.

We are a woman-owned, mother-daughter duo, that’s based on honesty over deception, transparency over secrecy, authenticity over hype, and ultimately, people over profit.

We are BluVillage and we are ready to serve.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson, or rather a question, that I had to unlearn was “am I capable of the job” I have asked myself this question more times than I’d like to admit.

From being a “Teen Mom” to going to college, to my first Interior Design job, to my first healthcare job, to my first sales job, to now.

Am I capable?

The truth is. I am always capable. I have learned that no matter, I will always find my way. A little determination and willingness to be humble go a long way. When I doubt myself, I take a step back and remember how far I have come, why I am here and how much further I need to go.

So, today when I ask myself “am I capable” the answer is always “Hell Yes.”

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

I truly believe that you have to have passion for everything that you’re doing in life. No matter what it is. A lot of times it’s hard to find that passion or it diminishes over time.

I have had many jobs in my career and a lot of them were passionless. That was my problem. I gained the experience and I thought I genuinely liked what I was doing but at the end of the day when I asked myself, are you passionate, the answer was usually, “No”

I found passion in little things to help me survive the days but it wasn’t until I looked deep and decided to take all the little things and put them together into the perfect passion puzzle. There is always room for extra pieces and there will always be a perfect place to add them. The passion puzzle is never done.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bluvillage.org
• Instagram: bluvillagerespitality
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fowlerk/