Early Dreams and Discipline
Kari Brunson grew up on the East Coast with a physician mother and a salesperson father, but it was ballet that captured her heart early. At 14, she auditioned and earned a coveted spot at the School of American Ballet in New York City. She moved to Seattle in 2000 to join the Pacific Northwest Ballet, earning many coveted soloist and principal roles on stage.
Discovering a Passion for Nourishment
While dancing, Kari found herself drawn to another form of artistry: cooking. She began documenting her culinary adventures on a personal blog called Anticiplate, where she explored how food, much like dance, could nourish the body and soul.
This passion for nourishment—through movement, food, and community—would become the red thread running through all her future work.
A Career-Defining Injury
In 2009, a stress fracture in her foot forced a pause—and a pivotal choice. Encouraged by renowned ballet figure Francia Russell to spend time in a professional kitchen, Kari discovered a new love for working with food.
She describes it as a “sliding doors moment,” where injury, risk, and reinvention converged.
Amidst personal transformation, Kari chose to leave ballet behind and chase a future in the culinary world.
Launching Juicebox and Frankie & Jo’s
Kari opened Juicebox in 2013, creating a beloved breakfast and lunch spot centered on clean, nourishing food in Capitol Hill. While running Juicebox, she met Autumn Martin in 2015, a fellow entrepreneur. Together, they opened Frankie & Jo’s, offering imaginative, vegan creations that quickly captured Seattle’s heart.
Navigating Challenges and Closure
When COVID-19 hit, Juicebox faced mounting challenges. In 2020, Kari made the bittersweet decision to close and sell the lease to a new concept.
“Juicebox had such a special place in the community,” Kari reflects. “It still holds a piece of my heart.”
Though Juicebox has closed, Kari remains a key part of Frankie & Jo’s while also raising her two young children and building her psycho-spiritual coaching business.
A New Chapter in Coaching and Leadership
Inspired by her own path of transformation, Kari hired a coach in 2019—and soon realized coaching was her next calling. Her leadership style empowers team members to show up authentically and make decisions within a supportive framework.
“Work-life harmony is essential,” she says. “You can nourish your career and your personal life without losing yourself in either.”
Empowering Others Through Authenticity
At the heart of all of Kari’s work is a single throughline: empowering people to nourish themselves so they can show up fully and authentically.
From ballet, to food, to business leadership, Kari believes that true fulfillment comes from honoring the body, the mind, and the heart.
Balancing Life and Work
Kari embraces the flexibility of coaching and being an entrepreneur, allowing her to work around her children’s schedules. She advocates for societal changes that better support women and parents in balancing multiple roles without burning out.
Looking Ahead with Openness
Today, Kari continues to be an active partner at Frankie & Jo’s, helping guide the brand’s vision while also expanding her focus to coaching—an expression of her passion for empowering others to nourish themselves and live authentically. As she raises her two young children, Kari is dedicated to building a life that weaves together entrepreneurship, personal growth, and motherhood with intentionality and heart.
“Empowering others and building supportive communities—that’s the legacy I want to leave behind.”
Ready to create your unique recipe for being well?
Visit karibrunsonwright.com or @therecipeforbeingwell on Instagram
Julie Mierzwiak: Brewing Community at Realfine Coffee
For Julie Mierzwiak, coffee is more than caffeine—it’s community. As the founder of Realfine Coffee, she’s built a welcoming space where quality coffee meets connection. But her journey wasn’t easy—it was fueled by resilience, mentorship, and a bold leap into entrepreneurship.
FROM THERAPY TO COFFEE
Julie moved to West Seattle in 2001, working in occupational therapy until her position was eliminated. A friend suggested a coffee shop job, and she quickly saw how coffee brings people together. A chance encounter with a mentor led her to “Rebellious Dreamers,” an organization that helped her secure a $10K grant—and her dream took off.
THE POWER OF A MENTOR
Julie’s journey might have looked very different without the guidance of Mo, a woman who walked into the coffee shop one day and immediately connected with her. Mo saw Julie’s potential before she saw it in herself, encouraging her to think bigger, take risks, and believe in her ability to lead. Through Rebellious Dreamers, Mo introduced Julie to a network of entrepreneurs who understood the struggles of starting from scratch. “She gave me permission to dream beyond what I thought was possible,” Julie says. “She showed me that I didn’t have to have it all figured out—I just had to take the next step.”
Julie still carries that lesson with her today, mentoring others in the same way Mo mentored her. “Entrepreneurship can be isolating, but having someone believe in you makes all the difference.”
BUILDING REALFINE COFFEE
She opened the first Realfine Coffee in 2015, working every day, greeting customers by name. Expansion came fast—a second shop in Capitol Hill in 2018, and a third on 35th Ave SW in 2021, even amidst the pandemic.
“Creating a welcoming space starts with hiring the right people,” Julie says. “Skills can be taught, but passion and kindness are what matter most.”
LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
Early on, Julie feared making mistakes, but she’s learned that missteps fuel growth. “I used to be too nice and avoid tough conversations. Now, I balance kindness with clarity.” Her business partner handles logistics, while Julie leads with heart, ensuring every shop embodies Realfine’s mission.
A LEGACY OF CONNECTION
Now a decade in, Julie’s proudest achievement isn’t just three thriving cafes—it’s the inclusive, community-driven culture she’s built. “I didn’t grow up around entrepreneurs, but a mentor believed in me. That’s why I encourage others to lean into their support system.”
Though Mo passed away five years ago, not a day goes by that Julie isn’t immensely grateful for her and the role she played in shaping her future
With a loyal following and unwavering vision, Realfine Coffee is proof that passion and purpose make the perfect blend.
Realfine Coffee
Locally owned. Community driven. Woman-led.
Fauntleroy Way SW, West Seattle (est. 2015)
Capitol Hill (est. 2018)
35th Ave SW, West Seattle (est. 2021)
Featured in Seattle Met Magazine’s Coffee Edition as one of the 25 Best Coffee Shops of 2016.
Cathy Kerns, Owner of HIIT Lab
Some people dream of change. Others build it—brick by brick, rep by rep, from the ground up.
Thorntail Icons: Women Who Inspire celebrates women who don’t just wait for doors to open. They forge their own paths. When it comes to shaking up the fitness industry, Cathy Kerns, owner of HIIT Lab in Seattle, isn’t just part of the movement—she’s leading it.
Built Different– Cathy didn’t just open a gym—she created one from scratch because nothing out there fit her vision. “Gyms can be intimidating and exclusive—we hate that,” she says. So, in 2016, she took the leap, leaving behind the safety of corporate America to build HIIT Lab, a space that prioritizes inclusivity, community, and an unapologetically intense sweat session.
Day one? One lone person walked through the doors. Now? HIIT Lab is a Seattle institution with two thriving locations, built not on big-budget ads but on referrals, trust, and a fiercely loyal community that shows up—for their workouts and for each other.
Built to Push Through– Cathy’s story is one of grit. As the daughter of first-generation Korean immigrants, resilience and problem-solving were second nature. She didn’t have a roadmap—just an unshakable belief that she could figure it out. Finding a space was an uphill battle. She heard “no” more times than she could count, but she refused to back down. Then, finally, a landlord took a chance. It was a massive investment, but Cathy bet on herself. And she won.
Pivot Hard or Go Home- Then came the ultimate test: COVID-19. Gyms everywhere shut their doors for good. Cathy refused to let HIIT Lab be one of them. She pivoted fast—taking workouts to Zoom, lending out equipment, setting up an outdoor workout space, and even adding Tiger King-themed classes for a much-needed laugh.
For Cathy, fitness isn’t just about breaking a sweat—it’s about connection. Her community felt the same. Members kept their memberships, even when they couldn’t step foot inside. They believed in HIIT Lab because HIIT Lab had always believed in them. That unwavering support didn’t just keep the business afloat—it made it stronger.
The Strength of Women in Business- As a female entrepreneur and a mom of three, Cathy knows women bring something powerful to leadership. “Less ego, more collaboration. Everyone bands together instead of competing.”
HIIT Lab proves it- The gym is run by an all-women staff and thrives on a culture of support and empowerment. Cathy’s advice to aspiring business owners? Know your strengths, and don’t be afraid to outsource the rest. “I had no marketing plan—huge mistake. If I did it again, I’d hire for the things I don’t love doing.”
More Than a Gym, a Movement- HIIT Lab isn’t just about burpees and deadlifts—it’s about impact. The gym gives back, supporting organizations like West Seattle & White Center Food Banks, NAACP, Safe Futures, and Operation Nightwatch. “When you’re part of our community, you’re part of something bigger,” Cathy says.
And if you think a gym can’t be spotless? Think again. “It’s so clean I almost lost a finger,” Cathy jokes. (True story—one that involves a treadmill motor and a cleaning rag, an ambulance ride and a lot of blood. We will spare the details!)
The Legacy? Strength. -Cathy’s biggest lesson? Community and trust are everything. “Your greatest asset isn’t your equipment or space—it’s your people. You’re prioritizing their health, time, and money. That’s a responsibility you don’t take lightly.”
HIIT Lab is more than a gym. It’s a place where people rediscover their power. And that’s what Thorntail Icons is all about—celebrating women who don’t just exist in a space. They transform it.
To learn more about Hiitlab visit their website: Hiitlab.com
