We recently connected with Kim Gomez and have shared our conversation below.
Kim, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?
Kourageous Vision is a nonprofit 501c3 organization based in the beautiful state of Utah. Over the past seven years, I’ve been dedicated to supporting women in building faith, confidence and sharing hope for their lives and circumstances. Five months ago, I joined forces with other like-minded women who share the same passion for supporting women and launched Kourageous Vision.
The term “Kourageous” embodies bravery, fearlessness, and strength, reflecting the remarkable women like Mary, Tina, Shelly, Lisa, and many others who have triumphed over significant challenges and with hope to lead women in their lives. “Vision” represents looking beyond circumstances and recognizing the potential within individuals, realizing that they are more than their past experiences.
As an Executive Assistant to the President and Vice President of Huntsman Cancer Foundation, my commitment to Kourageous Vision is encapsulated in our motto: “Empowering Change: Lighting the Path Forward Together.” In the midst of my full-time responsibilities, I passionately invest to nurture our mission. By adhering to the principle of “Two Things a Day, Period,” I ensure progress. Whether crafting impactful articles of declaration, developing our web presence, connecting with volunteers, or fostering connections with investors, every evening and weekend is dedicated to advancing our cause. The astounding achievements we’ve attained within five months have surpassed my expectations. The outpouring of support from individuals who generously contribute their expertise, time, finances, and encouragement has been remarkable. Regardless of their faith, these individuals firmly believe in lightening the burdens of others and contributing to the hope of individuals through Kourageous Vision. Together, we forge a brighter future driven by our collective dedication to empower change and illuminate the path ahead.
It always amazes me when I encounter women who have undergone similar journeys, ranging from highly educated professionals to those who have experienced homelessness or battled addiction. Despite our diverse backgrounds, we can all relate to pain, rejection, or personal struggles. Listening to their stories of resilience and witnessing the hope they carry, I see a brighter future for all. Kourageous Vision goes beyond being an organization; it serves as a platform for women to share their stories, talents, and gifts, inspiring others to overcome obstacles and find hope in their lives.
The concept behind Kourageous Vision is timely and distinctive. We are committed to establishing a community of empowered women, providing them with resources, opportunities, mentorship, and the motivation to invest in themselves and achieve success defined by them.
Additionally, through our Women’s Prison Ministry, we extend our support to incarcerated women, offering faith-based guidance and assistance. We aim to help them discover hope and envision a brighter future beyond their current situation. While the state provides programs and services to facilitate their reintegration into society, the support of new friendships, new community, and hope is often missing. At Kourageous Vision, we believe in the value of these women upon their release, and we strive to provide them with a network of supportive women who bring their expertise and compassion to help them succeed, recognizing their worth and offering them a new path.
The collaboration accompanying this foundation’s launch has reinforced our confidence in the direction and ultimate success of Kourageous Vision.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
The inspiration behind launching Kourageous Vision stems from my journey, the support of others, and the hope that has been spoken into my life. I grew up in a safe, loving home with my parents and three younger siblings in Salt Lake City, Utah. However, when my parents divorced at a young age, my world was shattered. The tears, confusion, and pain became my reality. I had to leave behind my familiar home and neighborhood in Rose Park as my mother moved me to Ogden, Utah, following a custody battle. My school years became a blur as I tried to adapt to a new city, a new school, and a new understanding of what family meant.
Eventually, my father gained full custody of my siblings and me, and I was overjoyed to return to the home I knew. I felt loved and secure in my father’s care, and peace and joy prevailed. Unfortunately, this newfound stability was short-lived as my father remarried, the situation became unbearable, and I ended up living with friends, couch-surfing, and searching aimlessly for the security I had lost. I had no parents to turn to, no answers to my questions, and no emotional stability to ground my anxious heart and uncertain thoughts. At just 16 years old, I embarked on a journey of navigating life independently.
I am forever grateful for the people who opened their homes to me, provided shelter and nourishment, and supported me as I tried to finish high school. They became my role models for marriage, family, and success, even though they also carried their brokenness, heartaches, habits, and addictions. This began a desperate journey filled with homelessness, substance abuse, and abuse.
At some point along my journey, I reconciled with my parents. My mother’s heartfelt apologies and my decision to forgive her opened a place for understanding. During our quiet, soul-searching conversations, she began sharing her story. I went on to graduate from school and started traveling aimlessly. Boarding a train out of Utah, a soft but persistent voice spoke to my heart, whispering, “There is more to you and your life than this.” That inner prompting never left me. It sustained me through countless nights, different homes, and years of uncertainty. Along the way, I attended various trade schools, seeking accomplishment or purpose to fill the void within my soul—modeling, airline, and business schools.
I worked various jobs, from fast food and car washes to being a receptionist. Eventually, I entered the dating scene, only to find myself in the hands of abusive partners, both physically and emotionally. Deep down, I knew I didn’t belong in those relationships. Tucking away the pain and suffering, I continued to move forward, yearning for comfort, love, and peace. However, it led me to drown in alcohol, cocaine, and pills. At 22, I had my first daughter, Aubrey, and we moved to Las Vegas to escape the path I believed would lead to my demise.
Yes, Las Vegas, of all places. I rented a two-bedroom apartment and began searching for a job, driving endlessly to familiarize myself with the city. It felt like a metaphor for those years of trying to find my way. Some days, I even got lost trying to find my way home. Working multiple jobs, as a lifeguard at Mandalay Bay and doing cocktail work at night, I secured a job as a flight attendant with National Airlines; soon after I was promoted to First Class Lead Flight, I returned to Utah seven years later due to the airline filing for bankruptcy.
Unfortunately, this is not where my story takes a turn for the better. As a single mother of two, I persevered, always maintaining a job and seeking further personal growth. However, like many women who have experienced childhood trauma, I found myself in another cycle of physical abuse. Recognizing the danger, I am proud that I made the brave decision to walk away from that situation for the sake of myself and my daughters. We ended up living in my car, experiencing the lowest point of my life. I rented a motel room to provide a semblance of normalcy for my girls, but it was mainly to hold onto any remaining shreds of dignity I had left.
Exhausted, discouraged, and defeated, I attended a church service with my mother at The Door Christian Fellowship in Murray, Utah. It was there that I surrendered my heart to Jesus Christ, and my life has been forever transformed since then. I experienced a radical deliverance from alcohol, drugs, and shame. My life gained a newfound sense of purpose, and although I couldn’t see the entire picture, I began to understand my calling.
I have continued to pursue my passion for supporting women and have actively engaged with my community in various ways. I donate professional attire to a project assisting homeless women on their journey to new beginnings. I was honored to be invited to speak at the BYU nursing forum, where I talked about resumes and interview techniques titled “Know Your Worth.” Additionally, I host Coffee Connection Christ gatherings once a month, where I share topics of encouragement, emphasizing the importance of connection and overcoming. What started in my home has now expanded into a public space, and we are currently seeking a larger venue to accommodate more women; exciting. I also initiated a monthly “Walk in the Park” event, enabling women to connect and meet new people, which has had a more significant impact than I anticipated. Recently, I embarked on the Women’s Prison Ministry with great excitement, speaking to women at the Utah State Prison and sharing hope.
Collaborating with other women in my community has led me to mentors and like-minded individuals who support and encourage my vision and passion for helping women. As a result, I have been mentoring women for the past 11 years. My faith in Jesus has filled my heart with love for all people and a deep desire for women to realize that they are more than their circumstances.
Given my spirit and compassion for others, it’s no surprise that I actively volunteer in the Salt Lake City community. I recently retired after five years as the Pharmaceutical Vendor Coordinator for the Intermountain Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society (ICONS). Currently, I serve as the Vice-Chair of Member Services for the Assistance League of Salt Lake City and volunteer with Volunteers of America, mentoring young girls. I’m particularly passionate about supporting organizations combating human trafficking and volunteering with Operation Underground Railroad. Perhaps this passion stems from my experiences and the grace that protected my life.
My investment in Kourageous Vision is primarily my time, and I am incredibly grateful to share it with everyone.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Life offers us numerous learning opportunities and valuable lessons. In the context of my journey with Kourageous Vision, one of the most significant lessons I’ve put aside is “expectations.” Through disappointments and exceptions, I’ve realized that not everyone will understand, support, or share my vision of bringing hope and support to women. I resonate with the quote, “Don’t expect people to understand your grind when God didn’t give them your vision.”
The moment I decided to persevere in what I knew to be true for myself, I embarked on a path driven by a genuine concern for others. As a woman of faith, I understand this journey is never about me alone.
Deliberately, I sought out and connected with fellow entrepreneurs, listening to their stories and startup experiences. Little did I know that I was immersing myself in a community of support and forming new friendships.
At the end of every meeting, they would encourage me, saying, “Keep doing what you’re doing, and let us know if there is anything we can do to assist you.”
Through this journey, I’ve realized that persistence and staying true to my mission have led me to unexpected outcomes and the support of an incredible community. Whether rooted in faith or not, the shared desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others remains a common thread.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I love this question. Building requires people; building something meaningful is a collaborative effort that relies on the involvement of others. Throughout the years, I have been actively engaged, boots on the ground, advocating for and believing in others’ ability to overcome various difficulties such as addiction, divorce, job loss, loneliness, and health issues by the hope given to me in Jesus. The scope of challenges we face is extensive.
I establish a genuine connection with others by being accountable and openly sharing the highs and lows of my journey. Being authentic and transparent is an integral part of the building process.
In summary, building something meaningful requires the involvement of others; by embracing accountability and openly sharing our positive and challenging experiences, we contribute to building and fostering connections with those who have their journeys to share, which reveals more than reputation, but character and resilience. The Best Is Yet Unseen.
Kourageous Vision
• Workshops
• Classes
• Events
• Faith-based studies
• Group meetings
• Give back to the community
• Connection
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/
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