We had the good fortune of connecting with Karen Kowenski and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karen, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business stemmed from my passion for women’s healthcare. Men and women are not the same—so their healthcare shouldn’t be the same either. Women’s health is so complex, influenced by so many factors, and there is no standard formula that works for everyone. Women’s healthcare needs to be multifactorial and personalized because one size does not fit all.

Fast forward: I have two kids of my own (22 months apart—let me tell you, I am tired, y’all, like REALLY tired!). On top of that, I’ve been juggling work, being a wife, and adulting—it’s a lot. Through it all, I realized how much I wanted to create something that truly met the needs of women like me, something I wish I’d had during those tough times. That’s when I knew it was time to branch out on my own and offer the kind of care I would have wanted for myself.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business, Empower Yourself PT, is a dedicated pelvic floor physical therapy practice proudly serving individuals of all genders in the Greater Houston area. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to personalized, compassionate care. I believe pelvic health is deeply personal, and every individual’s experience deserves to be treated with dignity, understanding, and expertise. No two journeys are the same, and our approach reflects that—we tailor our care to meet each person’s unique needs and goals.

What I’m most proud of is the welcoming, judgment-free environment we’ve created. Whether it’s helping someone regain confidence after childbirth, addressing chronic pain, or tackling issues like incontinence or pelvic dysfunction, our mission is to empower individuals to take control of their health and feel supported every step of the way.

Getting to where we are today has been both rewarding and challenging. Starting a business isn’t easy, especially in healthcare, but my passion for serving others and my belief in the importance of pelvic health pushed me forward. Balancing life as a mom, wife, and entrepreneur has taught me the value of resilience and the importance of building a strong support network.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is to stay true to my purpose and never lose sight of why I started this journey: to provide the kind of care I would want for myself and my family.

What I want the world to know is that pelvic floor physical therapy isn’t just doing kegels all day long. It isn’t scary or a giant mountain to climb. It’s something that can be accessible no matter what you have on your plate to help restore your quality of life. Everyone deserves to feel strong, confident, and capable in their body, and I’m honored to help make that a reality for my patients.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ooo, Houston is special like that—there’s so much to do! I’d start with a relaxing massage or chiropractic adjustment at West U Wellness to shake off any travel tension. Then, we’d head to Chinatown for lunch, where the options are endless and delicious. Some of my favorites include Banana Leaf, Mein, and Tiger Den—you can’t go wrong!

In the afternoon, we’d take a Segway tour through downtown Houston. It’s such a fun way to explore the city, and the history here is surprisingly fascinating. It’s the perfect mix of activity and sightseeing!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This question is so easy, yet so hard! The obvious answer is my family—they’ve been so supportive. The grandparents stepped in to help watch the kids so I could work and stayed home with them when they were sick. I’m also deeply grateful to Dr. Caroline Long and West University Wellness for trusting me with their patients, as well as the doulas and medical community who gave me a chance, even during the uncertain early days of COVID.

Some less obvious influences have been books and talks that inspired me along the way. Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis—I know, she’s a bit controversial—really resonated with me, particularly her realistic message about the challenges of ‘doing it all.’ Another great inspiration was Randi Zuckerberg’s TED Talk about redefining what it means to ‘have it all.’
But most importantly, I want to thank our patients. Their trust in us and their willingness to share our information with their friends has been the driving force behind our growth. We couldn’t have done it without them!

Website: https://www.empoweryourselfpt.com/

Instagram: empower_yourself_pt

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweryourselfpt

Image Credits
Photo credit: Bhavin Misra

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