Designing Your Life with Kimmy Powell: From IT to Luxury Spas
What if you could redesign your life—live somewhere new, pivot to a completely different career, and finally align your work with your passions? For Kimmy K. Powell, that wasn’t just a dream; it was a choice she made at 45 years old. Today, Kimmy is the owner of four Woodhouse Spas across three states, a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, and the author of Passion and Purpose Project. Her story is a testament to grit, reinvention, and the belief that it’s never too late to create the life you want.
From Programmer to Entrepreneur
Kimmy’s career began in computer science, working for powerhouse companies like IBM and LexisNexis. But as her husband launched a painting business, Kimmy’s knack for operations became the backbone of their entrepreneurial journey. Together, they built the company into a thriving industrial flooring business that serves clients like Boeing and Walmart.
Her first pivot wasn’t easy, but it was empowering. “Success doesn’t happen without hustle,” Kimmy reflects. She poured her analytical skills into business operations, gaining invaluable experience that would shape her future ventures.
The Leap to Luxury Spas
At 45, Kimmy and her family relocated to Charleston, South Carolina. While looking for a luxury day spa like the one she loved in Ohio, she realized there wasn’t anything similar in the area. That spark of an idea led to her biggest pivot yet: investing her savings into opening her first Woodhouse Spa.
“I had no friends, no community, and no experience in hospitality,” Kimmy recalls. “But I knew I couldn’t fail.”
Kimmy dove into every detail, from remodeling the building to learning the nuances of hiring and training therapists. The transition from industrial flooring to the spa business wasn’t just a career change—it was a reinvention.
Scaling with Strategy and Heart
Ten years later, Kimmy now owns four Woodhouse Spas across South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia, managing 30,000 square feet of luxury spa space. How did she scale so successfully? By focusing on leadership and culture.
Her secret is empowering her general managers to take ownership of their roles. “Investing in great people has been key,” Kimmy explains. “You can’t scale a business without trusting your team to execute the vision.”
Even with the tight margins of the hospitality industry, Kimmy prioritizes long-term investments in her team and her business. From running EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) to working with strategic accounting partners, she continually refines her processes to support growth.
Lessons from Failure
While Kimmy has had many successes, she’s equally candid about her failures. From a car dealership that launched right before 9/11 to a less-than-successful beef jerky franchise, she’s faced her share of setbacks.
“Failure teaches you more than success ever will,” she says. “Every time something didn’t work, I learned what I was capable of overcoming.”
These experiences also shaped her approach to risk and reward. Whether investing in her own ventures or supporting others as an angel investor, Kimmy believes in betting on people and staying aligned with your passions.
Designing Your Life: The Future Funnel
Kimmy’s book, Passion and Purpose Project, introduces readers to the “Future Funnel,” a step-by-step guide to designing a life aligned with their values and dreams.
“We spend more time planning vacations than planning our lives,” Kimmy observes. “This book is about being intentional and creating the life you want.”
The Future Funnel walks readers through identifying their desires, evaluating lifestyle options, and setting actionable goals. Whether you dream of starting a business, moving to a new city, or simply finding more balance, Kimmy’s method provides a roadmap to make it happen.
What’s Next for Kimmy?
Kimmy’s entrepreneurial journey is far from over. With her spas thriving, she’s focused on mentoring other women entrepreneurs, angel investing in female-led startups, and exploring new ventures.
Her advice for anyone considering a major pivot? “The fear of staying the same has to be greater than the fear of change. Once you reach that tipping point, anything is possible.”
Key Takeaways from Kimmy Powell
Invest in People: Whether it’s your team or yourself, long-term success comes from strong relationships and mentorship.
Failure Fuels Growth: Every setback is an opportunity to learn and improve.
Be Intentional: Design your life. Don’t let outside forces dictate your path.
Start with the End in Mind: Know what you want your life to look like and work backward to create it.
Connect with Kimmy
Want to learn more about Kimmy and her ventures? Here’s how to connect:
Website: Woodhouse Spa Locations
Social Media:
Instagram: @woodhousechs, @woodhousesavannah, @woodhousefranklin
LinkedIn: Kimmy K. Powell
Facebook: Kimmy K. Powell
Explore Passion and Purpose Project and start designing the life you’re meant to live.
