#114 What Are Tears Without Action?
An Interior Designer Who Built a National Nonprofit on Faith and Polka Dots
Hi! New here? Welcome to the Uplifters! I'm Aransas Savas. I've spent the last 20 years at the intersection of behavior change research and coaching. On The Uplifters Podcast, we share diverse stories of women who have found something beautiful on the other side of the hard stuff. Despite self-doubt and fear (and honestly, who doesn't have those?), they've done big, brave things anyway, and show us how we can too!
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Today’s Featured Uplifter: Terry Grahl
Terry Grahl was a successful decorator with four young children when she got a call asking her to paint a wall at a women's shelter. Simple enough, right? But when Terry walked into that dormitory where 30 women and their children would sleep for a year, on filthy floors and prison-donated bunk beds, everything shifted. She tried to forget these women, but when she finally looked back at the photos she’d taken during her tour, a bunk bed held together with duct tape, two pillows without pillowcases – one white with polka dots she literally got a calling. "I've loved polka dots since I was a little girl," Terry tells me in our latest episode, "and when I saw them I heard in my head, 'trust me,' and I put my hand up in the air and said, 'I'll do it.'"
What followed wasn't a carefully orchestrated business plan or a strategic nonprofit launch. It was something far more powerful: a woman who had battled homelessness as a child recognizing herself in the faces of grown women who looked like girls, and choosing to say yes to something impossible without knowing how she'd pull it off. That impossible yes has now become Enchanted Makeovers, a national nonprofit that has transformed shelter spaces across the country and created programs that help women and children see themselves as warriors instead of victims.
Terry’s story is a masterclass in the Courage Principles I’ve identified from over 100 Uplifters Interviews. Here are some examples you’ll hear in her story that I hope will help you do big, brave things too:
Convert questions into actions. Terry didn't stop at "How am I going to pay my bills?" She asked, “Who do I know who can provide furniture?” and started creating a sustainable network of support.
Opt for progress over perfection. Terry announced her need for donations before she had a plan, sent heartfelt emails instead of professional proposals, and wore polka dot dresses to foundation meetings. She understood that messy action beats perfect planning every time. (Your authentic weirdness might be exactly what opens the door, too, friends.)
Unite with allies. From cold-emailing mattress companies to asking restaurant singers to serenade shelter residents, Terry proved that most people want to help – they just need to be asked. She built a national movement one honest conversation at a time. (The worst they can say is no, and you've already survived that.)
Release your offers to the world by getting loud about your dreams. When Terry needed headquarters space, she posted on Facebook about wanting a place where adults would become children, focusing on transformation rather than square footage. Within months, she had an abandoned house to restore.
Alchemize your struggles into strengths. Terry's 9-year-old self, who survived homelessness through imagination and dreams, became her compass for helping other women reconnect with their warrior spirits. Her deepest wounds became her greatest gifts to others. (Your pain often points directly toward your purpose.)
Grant yourself permission to speak your truth, even when it's uncomfortable. Terry’s unapologetic honesty with her partners might seem counterintuitive, but this honesty and authenticity have helped her build a network of true supporters and fans.
Establish renewal practices. Even though Terry is out in front sharing the mission of Enchanted Makeovers, she knows she doesn’t have to do everything. She leads from her strengths and lets others in her organization lead from theirs, so that she can care for herself while caring for others.
Learn about and support Enchanted Makeovers’ programs HERE.
Related Episodes You Might Love
Movement Makers Who Turned Pain into Purpose:
Amy Cohen - Co-founder of Families for Safe Streets, who transformed the loss of her son into legislation that saves lives
Rebecca Soffer - Founder of Modern Loss and bestselling author who turned grief after losing both parents into a platform for others
Dr. Emily Bailey - A clinical psychologist who channeled her mother's suicide and personal struggles into helping others heal
Women Who Built Something from Nothing:
Jenny Jing Zhu - Built a $100 million home décor empire starting as a hotel maid who learned English alongside the toddler she nannied
Regina Gwynn - Co-founder of Black Women Talk Tech, reshaping what tech founders look like
Kerry Brodie - Founder of Emma's Torch, empowering refugees through culinary training
Community Builders and Healers:
Eliza Factor - Founder of Extreme Kids & Crew supporting families with disabilities
Beth Carroll - Senior Pastor creating safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ and mental health communities
Lisa Halverstadt - Journalist raising awareness of the experiences of homelessness
Courage Capital Framework:
Episode #100: Courage Capital - Where I synthesize lessons from 99 inspiring women about how to build the bravery required to create change
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