top of page

088 | Power of the Pivot with Kari Jo Kelso

  • Emily Reuschel
  • Mar 20, 2024
  • 4 min read

Gather in Growth Podcast episode #001

LISTEN TO POWER OF THE PIVOT WITH KARI JO KELSO ON: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Your player of choicePodcast


I’m very excited to be joined by my friend, Kari Jo, on today’s episode!


Kari Jo and I actually live fairly close to one another; we’ve both had similar experiences of stepping outside of the box and changing trajectories when it comes to pursuing a not so ‘normal’ career path. Kari Jo became a veterinarian, but she always felt pulled to do something more creative. After experiencing a difficult season with her mom’s illness and travel that stretched her more financially, she found herself ‘Googling’ her way into a side hustle of making t-shirts. Fast forward to today – Kari Jo found a new gig that not only allowed her to cut back to working part-time as a vet, but also allowed her to express her creativity in a way that TRULY lit her up! She’s even purchased and renovated an event space in her downtown; this has helped fill in a gap that allows people in her community to gather together, and celebrate special events.


Kari Jo and I are talking all about the power of the pivot, and what it looks like to take riskier pursuits alongside a more ‘safe’ career choice. We’re digging into the importance of gaining clarity and really shifting your perspective when it comes to living your life (without letting other people’s opinions factor into this), how a high achievement-oriented personality can show up for business owners, the whirlwind of emotions that come with going in a completely new direction in business, mindset blocks and limiting beliefs that tend to plague many entrepreneurs, and more.


It’s never easy or comfortable to step away from the ‘norm’, but Kari Jo knew she didn’t want to spend her entire life grinding away in a job that didn’t truly fulfill her. Now, she’s found her footing as a small business owner, and has learned that even when things feel scary or uncertain, choosing authenticity and intentionality will NEVER lead you astray. Wherever you are on your entrepreneurial journey, this episode is a beautiful reminder of what the power of the pivot can do in your business, and your life!


Kari Jo was born and raised in rural West Central Illinois. She grew up with a passion for agriculture and pursued a doctorate of veterinary medicine (DVM) at Oklahoma State University. Less than a year after graduating, she started a side hustle selling t-shirts online to help pay for plane tickets home. Little did she know that this would grow into (mostly) her full-time job. There have been a few twists and turns through the years, but she still loves practicing 2 days a week, and even owns an event venue downtown in her hometown.


In this episode about power of the pivot with Kari Jo Kelso, we cover:

  • Kari Jo’s story of pursuing more of a creative path that led her into entrepreneurship alongside her ‘safe’ career

  • Gaining clarity and shifting your perspective of how you truly want to live YOUR life (no matter what anyone else thinks)

  • How a high achievement-oriented personality affects you as a business owner

  • What led Kari Jo to recently rebrand and pivot her business + the many mixed emotions that pop up when you’re making big changes in your business

  • Finding acceptance in knowing that you’re m

  • aking the best decision and going in the right direction, even when you feel uncertain and uncomfortable

  • The mindset blocks that many new and/or aspiring entrepreneurs struggle with + how to ‘rewire’ your thinking so you can move forward

  • Limiting beliefs and mindset challenges that come with being a small business owner in a small town

  • Kari Jo’s decision to purchase and renovate an event space in her downtown after seeing a huge need for it in her community

  • Evaluating what’s happening in your life in order to really understand what’s giving you fulfillment and evolvement


Connect with Kari Jo:


If this episode sparked something in you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your people. Your support helps more people step into curiosity, ask hard questions, and reclaim a faith rooted in love, truth, and authenticity. Let’s shift the conversation—together.


Connect with Emily:

Stay connected and keep up with my latest updates, podcast episodes, and personal growth insights:


Resources & Links:


More about the Gather in Growth podcast: 

Gather in Growth is more than a podcast—it’s a sanctuary for women coming home to themselves and each other. A sacred space to expand horizons, reignite our power, and live unapologetically as our fullest, most authentic selves.


Hosted by Emily Reuschel, this is a gathering place for the doers, dreamers, and seekers who crave connection, purpose, and meaningful impact. Through raw conversations and soul-deep reflections, we’ll embrace curiosity, step to the edges of our comfort zones, and defy expectations.


Picture this: women gathered around a fire, sharing stories with open hearts—connecting, healing, and evolving together. That’s the spirit of Gather in Growth. This is our space to awaken and embody the lives we’ve been yearning for—lives rooted in alignment, guided by intuition, and built with intention.


If you’re ready to move beyond limits and labels, cultivate deep inner trust, and courageously embrace the magic of who you are, then welcome home. Together, let’s Gather in Growth.


Share the Love!

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it! Your support helps us reach more people who are ready to question, grow, and evolve.


Emily Reuschel logo








 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page