Meet Jody LaVoie
I help widows balance work, family, and grief.
Jody LaVoie
Powerhouse Widow Coach
I understand what you are going through. I have been in your shoes....
After my husband was shot at our place of business by an employee he demoted, I had to mobilize fast.
There was no time to think, no time to plan, it was all on me overnight.
I went straight from stay-at-home mom to running a multi-million dollar business, solo parenting three daughters who were 9, 12, and 15 at the time.
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AND not to mention juggling new legal, financial and many other household related issues.
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I just wanted a BREAK!
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...But I didn't know where to start.
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I spent time really thinking, digging, and exploring what were my strengths and what was truly important to me. What would make my life matter and how I could continue on without my husband.
Over a few years, I worked with a therapist, an executive coach, a personal branding/business coach, medical doctors, holistic professionals, and personal trainers. I also sought out support groups, read books and blogs, revamped how I cooked and shopped for food, changed my exercise regime, started meditating regularly, journaling daily, creating personal and professional boundaries, and carved out time regularly for downtime just for me.
I know that sounds like a lot, and I didn’t take it all on at once.
My Beliefs
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I believe moving forward means finding ways to keep traditions alive, cherishing the past, and carrying their spirit with you. ​
I believe you can simultaneously mourn the life you were supposed to have while building a new one even if it looks different than what you planned. ​
I believe the grief process requires radical acceptance. Everyone should have a safe place to speak candidly without judgment or shame because it’s a messy path to move forward.
I believe some of your greatest accomplishments are ahead of you. ​
I believe the challenge is part of the process, but should always be paired with boundless support. ​
I believe you already have all of the skills necessary to move forward.
I will help you find the momentum to get going.
Learn More About Jody
Jody is a widow and two-time breast cancer survivor, who has taken her life experiences to guide other women who have found themselves in a similar situation to rediscover themselves with renewed clarity and joy for what is next in their lives. She was trained as a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) at iPEC, an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Accredited Coach Training Program.
Jody is the former CEO of the non-profit Female Strong and the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) Chicago. Female Strong offers hands on programs, mentorship and experiences that build confidence in middle and high school girls that enables them to be future leaders of tomorrow.
Additionally, Jody was the Chairman of ArrowStream, a third-party logistics and SaaS provider founded by her late husband Steve in 2000. In July 2014, the unthinkable happened when her husband was shot at work by a disgruntled employee. Jody stepped in and led ArrowStream on a path to sustainable profitability culminating in the sale of ArrowStream to a private equity firm in 2017.
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Before joining ArrowStream, Jody worked for Smith, Bucklin & Associates, serving as executive director for two of its association clients. Previously, she held direct sales-related positions with AT&T Business Communications Services.
Jody is an active member of the Young President’s Organization (YPO) and is on the board of the Sheila A Doyle Foundation to support others that have experienced homicide.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago, is a mother to three amazing daughters, loves to hike and is always game for whatever will bring on more belly laughs.
