From Dream Job to Dream Business: How Grace Pesch Created “Futures From Within”

Grace Pesch had a clear vision for the work she wanted to do.

She wanted to help leaders think differently, strengthen organizations and create meaningful change. But after imagining her ideal role, she found herself asking a different question:

What if I can't find that job?

Rather than waiting for the right opportunity to appear within an organization, Pesch decided to create it herself.

That decision led to the launch of Futures From Within, her Rochester-based consulting practice focused on leadership coaching, organizational strategy and helping people lead with greater clarity, purpose and authenticity.

Building Toward Something Bigger

Pesch didn't wake up one day and decide to become an entrepreneur.

For years, she served as Vice President of Community Impact at United Way of Southeast Minnesota after earlier roles with Bolder Options and other community organizations. Along the way, she also volunteered with organizations including NAMI Southeast Minnesota, Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association (IMAA), First Alliance Credit Union and Olmsted County Public Health.

Those experiences revealed a common thread.

People increasingly turned to her for strategic advice and organizational guidance. The work came naturally -- and it energized her.

"I realized these were the topics that really light me up," she says.

Her background in public health also shaped how she viewed leadership.

While many people think about infrastructure as roads or buildings, Pesch became fascinated by the less visible infrastructures and systems that influence daily life: power, policy, wealth, opportunity and organizational culture.

"I have a passion for influencing systems and structures," she says. "At the same time, I want to help individuals step into their own agency and power so they can influence those systems."

That philosophy became the foundation of Futures From Within.

Leadership Begins Within

Rather than offering one-size-fits-all coaching, Pesch starts with self-discovery.

She works one-on-one with leaders to better understand their values, perspectives, strengths, blind spots and motivations before tackling organizational challenges.

"When leaders really understand themselves -- their worldview, their gifts and their blind spots -- they're much better equipped to create meaningful change," she says.

Her clients may include nonprofit executives, business leaders, elected officials or anyone seeking to lead more intentionally.

The approach is intentionally personalized.

"I'm very anti-cookie-cutter," she says. "People already have wisdom inside them. My role is to help pull it out."

That belief inspired the company's name.

"The answers are already inside of you," Pesch explains. "People sometimes just need someone to help uncover them. When you have that inner clarity and inner strength, you can create real change in the world."

Finding the Confidence to Leap

Even with years of leadership experience, launching a business felt intimidating.

"It felt very scary," she says. "But it also felt really exciting and full of possibility."

The decision wasn't impulsive. Pesch spent more than a year considering the move, saving money, discussing it with her husband and seeking advice from mentors and trusted colleagues.

As she shared her vision, something unexpected happened.

"The more I talked about the business idea, the more people said, 'Yes, this is needed -- and you'd be great at it,'" she says.

Those conversations helped replace fear with confidence.

Today, she says she's learning to trust her instincts.

Growing Through Collider

Pesch also found support through Collider's CO.STARTERS program, which she completed while still working full-time at United Way.

Although she already had extensive experience with budgeting, organizational development and nonprofit leadership, the program provided something different: dedicated time and space to focus on building her own business.

"It created a container where every week I could think about my business, test ideas and keep moving forward," she says.

Equally valuable was the community.

Pesch graduated alongside three other women representing different life stages and professional backgrounds. Together they shared ideas, offered feedback and encouraged one another through moments of uncertainty.

"We grew to trust each other really quickly," she says. "You could share something that felt half-baked or admit you were struggling, and everyone reflected your strengths back to you."

That environment reinforced one of the biggest lessons of entrepreneurship: no one has to build alone.

Helping Others Come Home to Themselves

Although Futures From Within officially launched this year, Pesch sees it as the culmination of work she's been doing throughout her career.

In addition to leadership coaching, she plans to offer facilitation, speaking engagements, and organizational consulting focused on helping people create healthier organizations and stronger communities.

She also hopes to work across industries, believing every leader -- regardless of sector --can benefit from deeper self-awareness.

"I want to bring more fun, joy and humanity wherever people want it," she says.

Ultimately, she believes entrepreneurship isn't just about creating a company.

It's about creating the opportunity to do the work you're uniquely meant to do.

"I never imagined owning my own business," she says. "But I think I have everything I need to make it work."

And perhaps her biggest message extends beyond entrepreneurship itself.

"It's never too late to start something," she says. "It's never too late to start over or to become yourself. That's what I consider my work -- helping people come home to themselves."