Today we’d like to introduce you to Laurie Fredsall.
Hi Laurie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Professionally, I’ve spent most of my life in corporate America, primarily leading customer and technical support teams. I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of ensuring customers receive the best service possible while helping my teams grow professionally and find greater satisfaction in their work.
Personally, the last few years have brought significant experiences of loss and change. I’ve lost family members to death and have also experienced ambiguous loss through dementia and estrangement. These experiences broadened my perspective and helped me recognize that the most meaningful part of my professional life had always been supporting people through difficult circumstances.
With that insight, I decided to become a certified grief educator to deepen my understanding of grief support. I became especially interested in ambiguous loss, which is gaining greater recognition but is still often overlooked because it does not necessarily involve a physical death.
Earlier this year, I began a journey of reinvention. Drawing on decades of leadership experience, my personal experiences with loss, and my grief education training, I launched a business called Strength After Estrangement. My focus is providing virtual non-clinical support for estranged mothers. While I am not a licensed therapist, I help mothers build lives that are not defined by the outcome of a relationship and develop resilience for whatever lies ahead.
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?
Having been a small business owner earlier in my career as a personal historian, I wasn’t expecting a smooth road, and I’ve always been up for a challenge. I think I may speak for many business owners when I admit that marketing has always been a particular challenge for me. I love the work itself, but promotion, visibility, and networking don’t come as naturally to me as serving clients does.
Another challenge is the nature of the work itself. Grief is a heavy topic, and spending day in and day out supporting people through painful life experiences requires intention and self-care. At the same time, I never underestimate the value of helping someone feel seen, supported, and less alone during a difficult time of life.
That said, one of the pleasant surprises has been the community I’ve found along the way. I’ve met wonderful, supportive people within the grief community, and I’ve never felt alone in this endeavor.
I’m still early in this business journey, so I’m certain there will be unexpected challenges ahead. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned through both my professional and personal experiences, it’s that life’s greatest satisfactions often come from its greatest challenges.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My business is based in a small Oregon town, but its virtual nature allows me to serve clients internationally. I’ve worked with mothers throughout the United States and in Europe, and I appreciate the opportunity to support people regardless of their location.
I specialize in supporting mothers experiencing estrangement from their adult children. What sets me apart is the combination of lived experience with ambiguous loss, professional grief education, and decades of experience supporting people through difficult situations. Together, these experiences allow me to meet clients with both empathy and practical support.
As an introvert, I also have a bit of a secret weapon: my ability to listen deeply and focus completely on another person’s well-being. Many people who are grieving simply want a space where they feel heard, understood, and accepted without judgment.
Brand-wise, I am most proud of helping mothers feel less alone. Estrangement can be an incredibly isolating and misunderstood experience, and being able to ease that burden, even in a small way, is deeply meaningful to me. I am also proud of being able to provide high-quality support virtually. My years in leadership roles taught me how to build genuine connections and meaningful support systems remotely, making virtual work feel natural and effective.
At this stage, my services are focused primarily on one-on-one, non-clinical support for mothers. While my offerings may evolve over time, personalized support remains my passion and primary focus. Reaching out is simple. Visitors can request a complimentary 30-minute consultation through my website. I believe an initial conversation helps determine whether we’re a good fit and what type of support would be most helpful.
I often describe my work this way: Estrangement can make life feel shaky. My intention is to offer something steadier. A human place to land.
How do you think about happiness?
Three things immediately come to mind when I think about what makes me happy.
First, like many people, I love decompressing with my dogs by playing with them and taking them out for exercise. Australian Shepherds need plenty of opportunities to burn off energy, and I never get tired of seeing their enthusiasm and zest for life.
Second, if given the chance, I could curl up with a good book all day long. I enjoy both fiction and non-fiction and try to find as many moments as possible to indulge in reading.
Finally, I love the outdoors and have spent much of my life exploring hiking trails and parks throughout the Pacific Northwest. Even on my hardest days, stepping outside can ease so much of life’s pressure and help me regain perspective. I highly recommend it!
Pricing:
- Complimentary 30-minute consultation
- $75 per 1-hour support session
Contact Info:
