Exploring Life & Business with Kharissa Forte of Grace & Grind

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kharissa Forte.

Kharissa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
After being married for seven years, my husband Wesley and I found ourselves on the brink of divorce. Through a few rounds of counseling, we learned that neither one of us had a healthy relationship with self-care and were encouraged to put some practices into place both as individuals and as a couple. During that time, in addition to cultivating personal growth, Wesley lost 100 pounds and I became a certified health coach.

With a new understanding of the grace and grind it took to create a healthy and happy marriage, we decided to start a podcast to share what we learned and to help people flourish in their own lives and relationships. The first episode aired on January 24, 2020 (right before the pandemic!) and Grace & Grind became an official business just a few months later, on April 22.

Grace & Grind is a health and wellness publication, podcast, and shop. We believe that self-care is the most selfless thing you can do and our goal is to help others keep their cups full. In addition, Grace & Grind offers partnership opportunities and writing services to other health and wellness brands.

Today, I’m the CEO and Editor in Chief of Grace & Grind, while Wesley serves as CFO. We celebrated ten years of marriage on March 11, 2021. We hope to pass on energy of unconditional love, joy, and peace of mind with all those who encounter the Grace & Grind brand.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In addition to being a certified health coach, I spent seven years in media and digital marketing. When the pandemic hit, my expertise in those industries reflected exactly what everyone needed. People needed to know how to get or stay healthy and businesses needed to know how to make the most of their websites, content, and social media strategies. Grace & Grind literally offered services in both areas. That being said, the first year was smooth sailing.

We’ve pivoted just a bit to fully embrace where we’re going as a publication, podcast, and shop. We no longer offer digital marketing services, but we do still offer writing services to other health and wellness brands as well as partnership opportunities such as sponsored guest posts, influencer marketing, and podcast ads. We recently launched our new herbal blend collection and our skincare products and line of supplements are in the works. I believe the biggest struggle is releasing what’s comfortable in order to fully step into the next level. It’s exciting and rewarding, to say the least.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Grace & Grind is not a cookie-cutter health and wellness brand. We’re a Black-owned company ran by a married couple in a blended family with two kids. With that in mind, self-care is a non-negotiable and we want to empower people to realize that for themselves. In order to pour into the lives of others, work, or whatever it may be, you have to keep your own cup full. Whether you’re listening to the podcast, reading articles, or making smoothies with our herbal blends, Grace & Grind exists to cater to the well-being of others.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Health and wellness businesses interested in our writing services and partnership opportunities can visit graceandgrind.co/work-with-us to learn more and schedule a consultation. Our articles, podcast, and shop can be found at graceandgrind.co.

 Pricing:

• Herbal Blends: $10 – $60
• Writing Services: starting at $200/mo
• Partnership Opportunities: starting at $200

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: graceandgrind.co
• Instagram: instagram.com/graceandrindco
• Facebook: facebook.com/graceandgrindco
• Twitter: twitter.com/graceandgrindco
• Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UCYzjdk2PlUARE0F9VGXRJaA

Image Credits
Photos by Lexi Holifield