Obstacles to Opportunities

Heather Caine & Jessica Powell

When faced with life's obstacles, let's channel that negative energy into positivity and forge opportunities. Throughout the nation, business owners will share their experiences of triumphing over daunting challenges in their careers and lives, illustrating how they've harnessed these experiences for growth opportunities.

  1. APR 9

    The Heart of the Village: Inside the Mission of Foster Village SWFL with Kacie Hass

    Kacie Hass is a proud Southwest Florida native, having spent 35 years living and building deep roots in Cape Coral. She's married to her best friend, Tanner Hass, a Fort Myers firefighter/EMT, and together they’re raising three beautiful children. The family is actively involved in their faith community at Christian Life Fellowship Church. Kacie is the founder of Hearten Inc., a nonprofit that merged with Foster Village SWFL in June 2024. Her mission has always been clear: to celebrate the inherent worth of every child, regardless of their circumstances. With a heart for the vulnerable, she’s passionate about standing in the gap during times of hardship—offering hope, support, and joy when it’s needed most. As the Director of Programs and Operations at Foster Village SWFL, Kacie leads with vision and heart. She implements the systems and strategies that keep the organization thriving while also serving as the team’s biggest cheerleader. Her natural gift of encouragement uplifts everyone she meets. In the world of foster care, families often feel overwhelmed and isolated. Many foster caregivers leave within a year due to burnout and lack of support. Meanwhile, 85% of people who aren’t fostering say they care and want to help—they just don’t know how. Kacie’s work bridges that gap, creating a community where no one walks alone. 🍋 Join the Movement: Be part of our "Growing the Village is Sweet" campaign! Host your own lemonade stand this May to raise awareness and support for local foster families. Sign up by April 15th to get your T-shirt + Lemonade Kit! 👕🍋 https://www.fostervillageswfl.org/lp/growing-the-village-is-sweet ✨ Want to make a lasting impact? Become an MVP – Monthly Village Partner and help sustain the mission all year long. 🤝 https://www.fostervillageswfl.org/ways-to-give 📣 Hosting a fundraiser, golf tournament, or community event? Consider choosing Foster Village SWFL as your beneficiary. Reach out to us—we’d love to connect! 👉🏼https://www.fostervillageswfl.org/

    34 min
  2. 11/05/2024

    Beyond Awareness: Prioritizing Pediatric Cancer with Robyn Spoon

    Join us as Robyn Spoon, a dynamic entrepreneur and founder of the nonprofit Elevate, shares her deeply personal journey that began when her son was unexpectedly diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma. This life-altering event propelled her into the world of pediatric cancer advocacy, unveiling the stark realities and urgent need for reform in research funding and treatment. Robin’s story is both a heartfelt reminder of the challenges families face and a call to action for improved awareness and resources in the fight against childhood cancer. Pediatric cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease in children, yet it is disturbingly underfunded. The obstacles families encounter, from outdated treatments to the lack of comprehensive support, reveal a critical gap in our medical system. Our conversation with Robin underscores the importance of empowering families with the right tools and information, while emphasizing the community’s role in driving systemic change. We share personal experiences, highlighting the need for new perspectives and enhanced advocacy to transform pediatric cancer care. My hope is to build a coalition with others with a similar desire to change the story for those who follow us…and to do it fast! And while we pursue this mission, we will arm patients and caregivers with the most current information possible so that their families are able to make critical decisions on behalf of their child.   She shares how the loss of her son to pediatric cancer has ignited a movement of others who want to change how pediatric cancer is treated. They're ready for change and they're getting a movement of others involved - this inspiring story will leave you ready to jump in and join the movement! Check out: https://elevatechildhoodcancer.org/ to get involved!

    24 min
  3. 10/21/2024

    Transforming Lives: Ronda Zillner on Personal and Professional Growth

    As a candid, supportive, and insightful coach, Ronda draws from her personal experiences with trauma and navigating challenging life transitions to guide others. She empowers them to courageously tap into their strengths, gain clarity on their goals, and take the steps needed to move forward. Ronda was the visionary founder and CEO of Zillner Marketing Communications in Kansas City, a trailblazer in the upscale senior living sector. During a time when it was uncommon, she fostered a culture where working parents, including herself, could balance hands-on parenting with thriving careers. After nearly 25 successful years, Ronda sold her company to a private equity firm and shifted her focus to coaching, mentoring, and pursuing other passions. A member of the Kansas City Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business, Ronda has also served on the Advisory Board of Workplace Healing and as an advisor to the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA). She is the founder of The Crowded Table, a prototype supper club that demonstrates how sharing a meal with strangers can lead to non-judgmental insights, open hearts, and deeper connections. Additionally, Ronda is a published writer, speaker, workshop facilitator, coach, and entrepreneur. Her extensive background in mentoring leaders and navigating life informs her work. She has written curricula and taught classes through Compassion Fix, a community founded by Ginger Rothhaas that helps people open their hearts to the pain of others and themselves, allowing for greater connection, love, peace, and joy. An avid reader and podcast enthusiast, Ronda is a curious, adventurous spirit who loves learning from the fascinating people she encounters. She marvels at the diverse ways people interpret God's intentions for their lives and finds beauty in the fact that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Proud mother of two adult children who continue to inspire her, Ronda is passionate about personal growth—even, and especially, during times when it's difficult. She provides a confidential, safe space for clients to reflect, share, dream, and grow. Through her coaching, she helps others become positive agents of change in their own lives.

    39 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

When faced with life's obstacles, let's channel that negative energy into positivity and forge opportunities. Throughout the nation, business owners will share their experiences of triumphing over daunting challenges in their careers and lives, illustrating how they've harnessed these experiences for growth opportunities.