Julie Queler

Create an industry that truly helps others and not just one person.

 

Julie Queler was the founding Executive Director of The Orchid Recovery Center. The Orchid opened its doors in 2004, and focused on healing from the inside out. It catered to the unique needs and struggles that women encounter on their path to recovery. Ms. Queler’s based her approach to treating addiction on her personal experience of overcoming her own substance abuse. Her formula, unique at the time, integrated recovery, nutrition, fitness, yoga, art therapy, and meditation, along with traditional 12 step counseling. Julie sold The Orchid in 2013.

Julie Queler’s vision has been constant. Addressing the problems that people face. Julie’s newest passion is advocating for student loan reform, and removing the toxic elements that thrive as a result of its dysfunction. Student Loan reform will help Julie broaden the scope of her philanthropy. This concept of “philanthropy” first became a passion after her first visit to India. There, she found healing and self-discovery.

The empathy of Julie’s years in Substance recovery has given her a pathway as she transitions to advocating for people to create movements of their own. When she founded The Orchid, she wanted change the way recovery was managed. When she founded JPQ2 Productions, she wanted to change the way companies did business. Now, she wants to help empower other people to make those changes and create movements of their own. Nothing holds Julie Queler back!

Where did the idea for your company come from?

Orchid was the nexus to what I was doing previously, which was operating a halfway house for women. Transitioning to empowering people to create movements is an easy decision really. I experienced first hand what it was like to have people help me with my movements and help me achieve my goals. I want to pass that along to others.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

My day always begins early and with a cup of very strong black coffee. From there, I’ll check my email. Then, depending on the day of the week, I’ll have a staff meeting. Many days, I find productivity out of the office, or traveling. I consider my days always productive. Every day is a gift after all!

How do you bring ideas to life?

Affirmation. If there is a need, and I have a solution, then I am compelled to bring it to life.

What’s one trend that excites you?

My new passion…empowering people to create movements. We are seeing a huge trend in the United States right now of people standing up and creating these sweeping social movements like the March for Science, March for Our Lives and the Women’s March. I want more people to feel empowered to create their own movements and believe in themselves.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

My passion for teaching others to value themselves. I have this habit of affirmation. Whether I’m affirming my own decision or someone else’s, I have a need to get it done.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Behave as though your children are watching!

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

We are all addicts. It’s just that we all haven’t discovered our addiction.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Create an industry that truly helps others and not just one person. The overall success of a company should be based upon the overall success of what it has accomplished.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.

Knowing when to expect growth. Back when ABC’s 20/20 asked me (and The Orchid) to be on their program, I knew the resulting publicity would leave The Orchid overwhelmed. In anticipation, I reached out to Peter Harrigan, who helped us expand. It was a great decision. Without Mr. Harrigan, The Orchid would not be what it is today.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

I think many entrepreneurs experience failure in one way or another. Overcoming failure takes a lot of work from within. Being able to work the problem and learn from it is what ultimately brings you over the top. Failure is at its best is the opportunity to provide a valuable learning experience.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

An App that specializes in music therapy.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

Sorry…It is still Facebook!

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

“Runaway Virgin” by Lester Patterson, because it tells a timeless story and proves that history always repeats itself.

What is your favorite quote?

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

Key learnings:

● Enable others with knowledge and self-worth.
● True business success has lasting, and positive effects for our world.
● No business idea is more potent than one whose time has come.
● Social Movements are the key to societal change

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