Today we’d like to introduce you to Yolanda Rawlings.
Hi Yolanda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Just B U Inc. was birthed in 2019 during one of the most difficult seasons of my life. After the loss of my husband, I found myself navigating deep grief, depression, and the quiet loneliness that often comes with loss. It was a time where I was searching for healing, understanding, and purpose all at once.
But the truth is, the vision didn’t start in 2019. God had placed a calling on my heart as early as 2012 — a calling to create spaces where women could be honest about their pain, rediscover their worth, and find healing in community. For years, I ran from that calling. I doubted myself, questioned my readiness, and convinced myself that someone else was more qualified. Yet even in running, the assignment never left me.
Losing my husband shifted everything. In the midst of grief, God gently reminded me that my pain was not meant to silence me — it was meant to shape me. What felt like breaking became the beginning of obedience. I realized that the very spaces I needed for healing were the same spaces many other women were longing for.
I began simply — conversations, small gatherings, moments of encouragement. Those early interactions revealed something powerful: women didn’t just need programs; they needed safe places to be real, to cry without judgment, to laugh again, and to rediscover hope. From that place of personal healing and obedience, Just B U Inc. was born.
What started as grief transformed into purpose. Over time, Just B U Inc. grew into a community of empowerment, healing, peer support, and connection. The journey has stretched me, strengthened me, and required faith at every step, but it has also shown me the beauty of turning pain into purpose.
Today, I lead from a place of lived experience, compassion, and unwavering belief that healing is possible and that no woman should have to walk her journey alone. Just B U Inc. is not just an organization — it is a testimony of obedience, resilience, and God’s ability to create purpose out of pain.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it has not been a smooth road — but it has been a purposeful one.
Building Just B U Inc. came with emotional, spiritual, and practical challenges. Starting from a place of grief meant I was trying to heal while also leading. There were days when my heart was heavy, yet I still showed up because I knew this work was bigger than me. Learning how to balance personal healing with community responsibility was one of the earliest struggles.
Another challenge was self-doubt. Even though I knew God had called me to this work, there were moments where I questioned my capacity, my qualifications, and whether I was truly prepared to lead an organization. Obedience required me to step forward before I felt fully ready, trusting that growth would come through the journey.
There were also practical struggles that come with building something from the ground up — limited resources, funding uncertainty, and wearing multiple roles at once. I had to learn how to be a facilitator, organizer, advocate, planner, and leader all at the same time. Navigating systems, learning nonprofit operations, and advocating for support often required persistence and resilience.
At times, the work felt lonely. Leadership can be isolating, especially when you are carrying a vision others may not fully see yet. There were moments when I wished for more support, more understanding, or more hands to help carry the load. Yet those moments strengthened my faith and reminded me why community matters so deeply.
I also faced emotional challenges hearing the stories of others while managing my own experiences. Holding space for healing required boundaries, self-care, and learning that I could not pour from an empty place. That realization helped shape how Just B U Inc. integrates wellness and restoration into its work.
Despite the struggles, each obstacle has contributed to growth. The challenges taught me patience, strengthened my leadership, and deepened my compassion. They reminded me that purpose is not about perfection — it is about persistence, faith, and showing up even when the path feels uncertain.
Looking back, I can see that the road was never meant to be easy, but it has been meaningful. Every struggle carried a lesson, every delay built resilience, and every moment of doubt pushed me closer to trusting the vision placed within me.
And today, I stand not because the journey was smooth, but because I chose to keep walking.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Just B U Inc.?
Just B U Inc. is more than an organization — it is a safe space, a movement, and a community rooted in healing, empowerment, and authentic connection. At its core, Just B U Inc. was created to remind women that they are worthy as they are while supporting their journey toward growth, confidence, and restoration.
What we do is create spaces where conversations that are often whispered can be spoken out loud. Through workshops, support groups, retreats, empowerment events, and workforce development initiatives, we provide environments where women can show up honestly, process their experiences, and gain practical tools to move forward in their lives.
Just B U Inc. is known for creating healing-centered, peer-led spaces that balance emotional support with personal development. We specialize in:
Empowerment and healing programming
Peer support and mentorship
Support groups that foster connection and sisterhood
Wellness retreats that encourage reflection and restoration
Workshops focused on self-worth, resilience, and leadership
Workforce development initiatives that build confidence and readiness
People often tell us that what makes our work special is the atmosphere. When women enter a Just B U Inc. space, they feel safe, welcomed, and understood. We prioritize authenticity over perfection and connection over performance.
What sets Just B U Inc. apart is that the work is led from lived experience. The programs are not theoretical — they are rooted in real stories, real healing, and real understanding of what it means to navigate life’s challenges while still seeking growth.
We also intentionally blend faith, self-care, peer support, and practical life tools. That balance allows participants to experience not only emotional encouragement but also tangible strategies they can carry into their daily lives.
Another distinguishing factor is our focus on community and sisterhood. Many people attend programs expecting a workshop, but they leave with relationships, support systems, and a renewed sense of belonging.
Brand-wise, I am most proud that Just B U Inc. has remained authentic to its mission. The brand reflects healing, softness, strength, and growth — symbolized through our themes of butterflies, crowns, and affirmations. These elements represent transformation, worth, and identity.
I am also proud that the brand has created trust. Women feel comfortable sharing their stories, participating in programs, and inviting others because they know the space is built with care and compassion.
Beyond visuals, the real pride comes from impact — the moments when someone says they felt seen, gained confidence, or found hope through our work. That is the heart of the brand.
I want readers to know that Just B U Inc. is a space for real people navigating real experiences. Whether someone is seeking healing, growth, connection, or a reset, there is room for them here.
Our offerings are designed to meet women where they are — not where they feel they should be. We provide opportunities for reflection, skill-building, leadership development, and community connection in ways that are accessible and affirming.
Most importantly, I want people to know that Just B U Inc. is about possibility. It is about reminding women that they are not defined by their past, their struggles, or their fears. They are allowed to grow, evolve, and rediscover themselves.
Just B U Inc. exists to hold space for that journey — gently, authentically, and with love.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
One thing that might surprise people is that I’m naturally an introvert and truly prefer being in the background. Even though my work often places me in front of rooms, leading conversations and creating spaces for others, my personality leans toward quiet reflection and observing rather than being the center of attention. The leadership people see is rooted in purpose and obedience, not in a desire for the spotlight.
Another surprising truth is that I didn’t always feel strong or confident. There was a season marked by grief, self-doubt, and questioning my direction. Many people see the encourager and the facilitator, but they don’t always see the quiet inner work, the healing, and the moments of stretching that happen behind the scenes.
I also never set out to be a nonprofit founder. Just B U Inc. was born out of obedience, not ambition. It came from a calling placed on my heart years before I was ready to answer it. Losing my husband shifted my perspective and pushed me to say yes to what God had been asking of me all along.
What people may not realize is that I’m still growing. I’m still learning boundaries, still prioritizing my own healing, and still discovering new layers of who I am. Creating safe spaces for others doesn’t mean I have everything figured out — it means I’m willing to walk alongside others while continuing my own journey.
At my core, I am someone who values connection, compassion, and authenticity. I may prefer the background, but I’ve learned that purpose sometimes calls you forward. And when it does, I show up — not perfectly, but faithfully — trusting that even quiet leaders can create powerful impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.justbuinc.org
- Instagram: Justbuinc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justbuinc
- LinkedIn: justbuinc
- Youtube: justbuinc
