Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Owen.
Hi Alicia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a proud native of Brunswick, GA. I joined the U.S. Air Force just shy of the age of 21 in 2001. That decision pushed me on a course of discovery, growth, pain, joy, and purpose. Over the course of entering womanhood, becoming a wife and mother, I discovered that my heart was connected to ministry and helping others. While the connection with women was always a little hard, I found safety amongst women from within my church home at the time. There, I grew as a minister and currently as an elder in the church. Over the last several years, God has lead me on a path to reach out and create a safe space for women to be raw, real, and their true selves. Having the internal struggle myself with being perfect, strong, and available for everyone at all times, revealed to me that refuge and conversation is necessary amongst women. The idea of Girl Gone Free grew at the kitchen island of my home. It is there that those who enter find themselves enveloped in care, freedom, laughter and love. But most important is that people feel seen. It is my mission and God’s vision to expand that atmosphere and to reach those who are ready to be a Girl Gone Free!
Through various conversations over time, I realized that there are many women who need a space to talk, have hard conversations, encourage each other to let go of some things, have faith to walk in their purpose, while providing a place of hope to dream without judgment or fear.
Girl Gone Free is a God-led movement, a journey, and an experience that feels like home! The mission of GGF is to create a safe space where women can find strength in each other, lay their head and to know that it’s going to be alright. We aim to make room for those who seek community and sisterhood. This will be a village of safety, empowerment, encouragement, hope, love, accountability, & freedom. One that is always centered on the foundation of Christ.
It is our goal to establish Girl Gone Free to challenge the norm and demonstrate that there is Safety in Sisterhood!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Quite honestly, the road has not been smooth. Nothing worth doing is simple. Especially when what you are seeking to build or create will impact people in some way. When I was younger, I struggled with trying to fit in and over time began to water myself down to be accepted. I didn’t trust easily and while I wanted to be warm and friendly…that part of me seemed to get dismissed and misused. Getting to this point in life, where I can be free to care for others, has been humbling. We can be real without being mean.
One of the struggles that I currently work to navigate is the idea that the vision is too big! Sometimes life will do what life does and we can think that we aren’t good enough or the best choice. What I have learned is that as long as I keep working the vision and stay positive, things will work out.
Another struggle is that in the beginning, articulating the heart of Girl Gone Free seemed challenging. I always desire for the authentic and genuine nature of the “WHY” to be evident. So it really took me looking inwardly and not try to match anything that I saw being done in the same arena. It’s really easy to get discouraged when there are others doing something similar with what seems like more success. What I struggled with, Girl Gone Free, the space I created, has brought women in my life that not only encourage me, but believe in and support the vision! This space has allowed me to see that it’s okay to have some doubt, but it is not okay to give up!
As you know, we’re big fans of Girl Gone Free. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My name is Alicia Owen and I am the proud founder of Girl Gone Free. Girl Gone Free is a safe space where women gather to talk about the hard things, enjoy life, be authentic, and encourage one another. We do this through both in-person and virtual meet-ups, social media posts and our Girl Gone Free Facebook Group. What sets Girl Gone Free apart is that the message comes with the genuine desire to help women live their best lives, but doing so whole and healed. It is also known for a place to have fun with other women without the stigma that women are catty or that we can’t get along. Its also important to know, for those that are looking for such a space, that we are walking this journey together. We are bridging the gap between hurt and healed, broken and whole! What I am most proud of is that we have been successful in our meetups and the impact that Girl Gone Free is making with women from all walk of life. What I want people to know about Girl Gone Free is that when you are connected, you will be seen, heard, and championed to not only be your best self, but to do so with a whole sister tribe behind you!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can support Girl Gone Free by following on Social Media. In terms of collaborating, we are available to spread the message and purpose of Girl Gone free to other groups and organizations. Connecting with us will keep others informed on our meetups and they will be able to view encouraging posts and videos that are shared throughout the week.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imagirlgonefree.com/
- Instagram: @imagirlgonefree
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1284195655652499/?ref=share_group_link
Image Credits
Photographer: carmennicolephotography.com
