What’s the story behind Growing Our Girls? An Interview with Kristin Mountcastle.

Hey! This is Devon, Kristin’s friend and her Marketing Guru for Growing Our Girls (GOG). I’m kicking off our first blog today to interview my amazing friend. She’s not only an extraordinary mom, but also the visionary behind Growing Our Girls, aimed at empowering moms and daughters to thrive together. Let’s dive into this exciting conversation and learn more about Kristin's journey and the inspiration behind GOG!

Devon: Kristin, let's jump right in… could you share a bit about yourself and what led you to start Growing Our Girls?

Kristin: Let’s do this! Well, to share a bit of background, I’m happiest when I can be outdoors… relaxing around a fire pit, on a boat, or taking family hikes with our pup, Georgia. I find so much joy in exploring – as you know, we love Bear Lake near Cullowhee; our time in those mountains centers me and clears out so much noise from our city life back in Charlotte. When I can’t be in the mountains, hopefully I’m at an outdoor concert. But more realistically… I’m likely to be cheering my 3 girls on from the sidelines of a soccer field, basketball court or softball field throughout the year!

I’m originally from the Greensboro area and I pursued my passion for mental health and human behavior by studying Psychology at NC State University (GO PACK!), where I met my husband (and eventual incredible girl dad), Dustin. After that, I continued my academic journey to earn my M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Georgia. My professional career has revolved around HR and Organizational Development consulting in Charlotte, where I worked in the financial services and retail industries. I eventually left the corporate world to focus on my family. It was a tough decision, but motherhood quickly became the hardest job I ever had! I’ve loved every moment, but never knew how many sleepless nights were ahead, wondering if I’m being the type of mom my girls need, making the best decisions for them, and doing the right thing. Girlhood can be tough and every child is so different with different needs. It’s this journey that has inspired me to start GOG.

Devon: Tell us more about Growing Our Girls (GOG) and what it’s all about.

Kristin: So, GOG essentially started as a passion project that stems from my desire to create a supportive community for moms and daughters to connect, learn, and grow together. I knew how overwhelmed I began to feel trying to “figure it all out” and stay ahead of each milestone – and I quickly learned that I wasn’t alone. After years of conversations and recent focus groups that confirmed most of us are just trying to stay afloat, doing the best we can with the information available to us at any given time, the vision to create a supportive platform solidified. I’ve been humbled by how generous our local therapists and upcoming guest speakers have been with their time and willingness to be part of this. Starting in the fall, this vision will come to life by offering resources, workshops, and events aimed at fostering meaningful connections and empowering conversations between moms and their girls. Whether it’s through outdoor adventures, creative projects, or heartfelt discussions, GOG is all about equipping moms and daughters with the tools they need to navigate life’s ups and downs with confidence and grace together.

Devon: I may be biased, but it’s such an amazing idea! How do you envision GOG making a difference in the lives of moms and daughters?

Kristin: My hope is that GOG will serve as a catalyst for strengthening the bond between moms and daughters, while also instilling important values like kindness, empathy, and resilience. Having daughters who are 7, 9 and 11, I know the critical skills and conversations being built and happening in my own house with so much runway to go (our oldest starts middle school in the fall!). We’ve all heard the stories of dread that awaits us as our girls enter [puberty, social media, high school, or insert the next milestone happening in your house] and I don’t think it has to be that way. For us as moms or our girls. By creating a community where moms and daughters share their experiences while learning from and supporting each other, we all start to feel less alone and more empowered to navigate these stages and phases together.

Devon: That’s truly beautiful, Kristin. Now, for our readers who are eager to get involved with GOG, how can they join the community or support your mission?

Kristin: We welcome moms and daughters of all ages and backgrounds to join us on this journey! They can visit our website (www.growingourgirls.com) to learn more about upcoming events, workshops, and resources. We also love connecting with our community on social media, so feel free to follow us and join the conversation. And for those who want to support our mission, spreading the word about GOG with friends and family is always appreciated!

Devon: Fantastic. Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Kristin: Just a heartfelt thank you to everyone who believes in the power of mother-daughter relationships and supports our mission here at GOG. Whether you’ve been part of our story from the beginning or just now learning about us, your support is invaluable to building this community. Growing Our Girls is a collective effort and I’m so very glad you’re here.

Devon:  As always, it is an absolute pleasure chatting with you, and I can’t wait to see GOG continue to flourish and make a difference in the lives of moms and daughters everywhere.

And there you have it, folks! A glimpse into Kristin’s inspiring journey and her mission to empower moms and daughters through Growing Our Girls (GOG). Stay tuned for more updates and exciting adventures ahead!