Today we’d like to introduce you to Kady Jacobs
Hi Kady, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As a young girl from St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, I imagined a future that seemed straightforward: attend college, secure a great job, and build a fulfilling life. I moved to South Carolina for college, believing that I was well on my way, on the path I had envisioned. But life had other plans for me. Entrepreneurship wasn’t something I sought—it found me. It called me.
After earning two bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Elementary Education from Clemson University, I chose to remain in Upstate South Carolina. My professional journey began in education, teaching both regular and special education students. Although I held several roles working for the state, non-profits, educational institutions, they all revolved around service and making a difference.
While working at a local nonprofit, I noticed a recurring issue. People would call seeking court-mandated classes. Time and again, we had to turn them away, not knowing where else to guide them. Then came my lightbulb moment. I decided to schedule a meeting with the local Solicitor’s Office to ask what it would take to become a qualified, court-approved provider. Their answer surprised me: I already had the education and experience, but I needed the certifications. So, I pursued them. I didn’t stop at local certifications; I earned national certifications because I wanted to ensure my ability to serve anyone, anywhere. Soon after launching the anger management program, the Solicitor’s Office approached me again, asking if I’d consider getting certified in domestic violence services. Without hesitation, I did.
But my business wasn’t just born out of necessity; it was a deeply personal calling.
The second reason I chose this journey was to honor my family’s enduring legacy of service. My maternal grandmother, raised in the British Virgin Islands, had no formal education but was a cared for her community. My mother, who began her schooling in the British Virgin Islands and later earned her GED in the U.S. Virgin Islands, defied the odds by pursuing higher education. She went on to earn multiple degrees, including two master’s and two PhDs.
Continuing this legacy on a scale my family had never seen before became my mission. Opening a brick-and-mortar business and dedicating it to my mother, Dr. Maude T. Jacobs, just three months before her passing from colon cancer and Alzheimer’s, remains one of my greatest honors. It is a testament to her influence and the strength of our family’s story—a story of perseverance, education, and service.
Entrepreneurship didn’t just rewrite my plans; it reshaped my purpose. It gave me a way to transform lives, carry forward my family’s legacy, and serve others in ways I had never imagined.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This journey has not been easy on so many levels. First, I started the business while my mother’s health was deteriorating in the midst of COVID-19. The challenges of being a hospice caregiver and trying to launch a business was not only physically difficult but it also weighed on me heavily emotionally and mentally. Secondly, I started with practically nothing. I had to develop everything from the ground up, including but not limited to, finding furnishing for the building, course development and creation for anger management, parenting and domestic violence courses, form and process creation necessary for the enrollment, course maintenance and reporting. I learned various software to assist with the creation of marketing materials, created and maintain the website, I can go on, but I won’t. Let’s just say I am the business owner and operator taking care of everything from the cradle to the grave.
When I first launched the business, I was actually holding parenting classes at the courthouse in collaboration with the court system prior to COVID-19. That all changed once the world went on lock down and we were mandated to quarantine. That’s when I decided I needed to pivot and find my own brick and mortar to be able to serve independently. It was one of the best decisions because it allowed me the flexibility to serve others while providing me a tangible way in which I could honor my mother. With any business, challenges are to be anticipated as the business grows. Although it’s not easy being a solopreneur, I’m grateful for it all.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Anger Management of the Upstate?
Anger Management of the Upstate is dedicated to providing affordable, high-quality education tailored to address anger management, parenting, and domestic violence for adults 18 and older. Whether you’re seeking support for personal growth or fulfilling court-ordered requirements, Anger Management of the Upstate offers flexible options to meet your needs. Sessions are available in group or individual formats, in-person or virtually, ensuring accessibility and convenience for everyone.
Beyond one-on-one support, Anger Management of the Upstate also creates and facilitates customized presentations for trainings, workshops, seminars, and events of any size. Share your area of interest, your pain points, or the emotional challenges you’re navigating, and Anger Management of the Upstate will work with you to provide support and solutions that make a real difference.
What sets us apart is our commitment to personalized care. I don’t believe in cookie-cutter solutions. Instead, I take pride in offering flexible scheduling to meet you where you are—literally and figuratively. Whether you prefer a virtual session from the comfort of your home or an in-person group setting, this ensures that distance or comfort level is never a barrier to receiving the services you need.
I’m especially proud that Anger Management of the Upstate is a 5-star Google-rated business. I’m still amazed yet humbled by the comments shared by those served and I encourage you to read them. This recognition affirms that Anger Management of the Upstate not only delivers exceptional service but do so with genuine compassion. It reflects the very heart of what I stand for: people, passion, and purpose. When you’re ready to take the next step, Anger Management of the Upstate is here to support you every step of the way.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
COVID-19 taught me to be flexible, pivot when necessary and be creative. It definitely wasn’t business as usual, but it forced me to stretch and get out of my comfort zone, meanwhile not diluting the quality of the service. Change is inevitable whether it be by choice or by chance, but as a business we have to adjust in order to remain viable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.angermanagementoftheupstate.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angermanagementof_upstate
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kady.jacobs.7/
