Mindset & Alignment Strategist & Founder of Ancorio
Expert in Business Mindset, Work-Life Alignment, and Sustainable Success
Dr. Stephanie Grunewald is passionate about helping women entrepreneurs build businesses that align with their values and aspirations. As the founder of Ancorio, she empowers women to move beyond imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and self-doubt so they can achieve their goals with clarity and confidence.
Her approach isn’t about balancing life and business—it’s about creating alignment. By aligning decisions, actions, and aspirations, she helps entrepreneurs build success that is both fulfilling and sustainable.
Ancorio’s Origin: From Personal Loss to Professional Purpose
Ancorio was born out of Stephanie’s personal journey through grief and self-discovery.
“With a background in psychology, I was already passionate about supporting others,” she shares. “But when I lost my mom to early-onset Alzheimer’s, it forced me to reevaluate my life and career.”
This profound loss, coupled with her own struggles as an entrepreneur, led Stephanie to recognize a common thread among women: self-doubt, perfectionism, and the challenge of building a business that supports a fulfilling life.
“Ancorio was born from seeing so many women struggle with the same things I did. I wanted to help them build businesses that aligns with their lives, rather than hold them back.”
The Rewards of Guiding Women Through Transformation
For Stephanie, the most profound realization in her work has been recognizing that she is her own client.
“I realized that I don’t have all the answers,” she admits. “Walking this journey alongside my clients has shown me the power of being vulnerable and honest about my own struggles.”
And the rewards are just as powerful.
“The most fulfilling part of my work is celebrating breakthroughs with my clients,” she says. “Whether it’s a woman making more in one month than she did in her first four years of business, or someone finally gaining the confidence to charge what she’s worth, seeing their growth is incredibly inspiring.”
Stephanie’s Advice for Women: Stop Spinning Plates, Embrace Progress
Stephanie encourages women to let go of the pressure to be perfect and focus on progress instead.
“Don’t limit yourself,” she advises. “We often hold ourselves back, thinking we need to balance everything perfectly. But the reality is, you can’t be everything at once. Something has to give.”
Her advice?
- Focus on doing a few things really well.
- Understand that priorities evolve over time.
- Stop trying to keep all the plates spinning—it’s an impossible task.
“We’ve all heard ‘progress over perfection,’ but it’s not just a cliché,” she says. “Embracing evolution creates powerful opportunities for growth and allows you to make a difference in ways you never expected.”
Looking Ahead: Personal and Professional Growth with Purpose
Stephanie’s future goals include prioritizing personal restoration and continuing to expand Ancorio’s impact.
🌍 Quarterly Travel: “Taking a trip every quarter has become a non-negotiable for me, especially hiking trips—that’s what truly restores me.”
🌍 Embracing the Fear of Success: “Running two businesses has been a challenge, but I know Ancorio has the potential to help so many people. I’ve realized that fear of success is real, and I’m working on pushing past that.”
The Power of Community: How IAW Supports Stephanie’s Journey
Though she’s relatively new to the International Association of Women (IAW), Stephanie has already found it to be a welcoming and impactful space.
“One of the reasons I chose IAW is because of the diversity in both offerings and experiences,” she shares.
Her advice for new IAW members?
💡 “Never be afraid to put yourself out there. You get what you give. Show up, engage, and connect—you never know what you might gain from it.”
💡 “Be clear about what you want from your community, and be intentional about seeking it.”
A Pivotal Moment: Turning Loss into Purpose
Stephanie’s most transformative moment came with the loss of her mother during the early stages of building her practice.
“My mom passed at 61, never getting the chance to retire,” she shares. “It made me question the whole idea that we work hard and sacrifice now so we can enjoy life later—what if you never get that chance?”
This loss led Stephanie to reassess her priorities.
“I realized I wanted to create a life—and help others create lives—that honor the present moment,” she says. “Ancorio was born from this desire to help people build businesses that support the freedom they want—financial freedom, time freedom, and the ability to be present for their families.”
Giving Back: Supporting Alzheimer’s Research
Stephanie’s mission extends beyond her business. A portion of all proceeds from Ancorio is donated to the LMJ Lost Souls Alzheimer’s Fund.
“This business is not just about me—it’s about supporting everyone facing the struggle of Alzheimer’s,” she says. Learn more here.
Connect with Dr. Stephanie Grunewald
Ready to create alignment in your life and business? Connect with Stephanie here:
🌐 Website: Ancorio
📍 LinkedIn: Dr. Stephanie Grunewald
📍 IAW Profile: Inner Circle
