Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kylie Stetler. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Kylie, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Mindful Works is a social enterprise providing empowering work to individuals striving to overcome employment barriers due to mental health challenges. We do this through the design and production of high quality, locally crafted products. Employment is an evidence based tenet of recovery, but it isn’t always as easy as going out and getting a job. Something you need a transition. Mindful Works provides that stepping stone. It is a place for people to learn those job skills needed like showing up on time, working on a team, and having the stamina to get through the day.

“What do you do for a living?” is such a common ice breaker question and no one wants to have to say “I manage my symptoms.” Mindful Works gives people a place where they are more than an illness. It is a safe space to be around others, to feel understood, to feel needed and accomplished. It gives people a place to be when they may otherwise be isolated at home.

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.

I am the marketing manager and a seamstress here at mindful works. I was first hired as a temporary seamstress in 2021 to help get us through the holiday season and just stayed on. I’ve managed the sewing shoppe, overseen interns and am now stepping into the role of marketing and development. I think a big part of Mindful Works is the idea that everyone is learning all of the time. I had zero experience in marketing before this but having a place where I am trusted to grow and learn is amazing! and that reflects onto our program participants as well!

I am most proud of the impact we have on individuals lives. I have the pleasure of watching program participants learn new skills and complete tasks out of their comfort zone. And then turn around and be the teacher for someone else. Having the confidence to teach something is a powerful tool. Each morning when someone walks in, our executive director welcomes them and says “I’m glad you are here.” This simple phrase is so powerful to hear when someone really means it.

Not only is the community we have so life changing, the products we make are beautiful and high quality! We check everything that goes out thoroughly to make sure it is the highest quality possible. Because of this, program participants, seamstresses and staff can leave for the day feeling proud of what they have accomplished!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The biggest lesson I am still unlearning is the idea that I can do everything by myself. I try to accomplish everything I can possibly do and have failed many times with this mindset. The minute I bring someone else on to the project or task, it immediately becomes fun! and gets done with way less stress and time.

I have learned that everything we do can be a learning experience for someone else. At Mindful Works, I try to include someone else on almost everything I do so that we can both learn and grow from it.

Any advice for managing a team?

A wonderful community and a love for what you do! And a cup of coffee.

Walking in every morning to H.S. and B.G. sitting there smiling and welcoming me with the coffee they made for everyone is the best start to the day. Then our bakers come in and get excited about what orders they have, and what new skill they will learn. If someone is having a bad day, their peers are there to support them and encourage them. It’s pretty easy to manage and keep a high morale with such an amazing group of people.
A big part of managing is letting people learn. Everyone here is doing something for the first time, so it’s important to let people fail and grow from that. Failing successfully allows us to learn from our mistakes, get comfortable with asking for help and can help grow confidence to do something new.  

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mindful-works.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulworksboulder/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindfulworksboulderco