We recently had the chance to connect with Katie Bunnell and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Katie, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Well, like many moms, my day starts early and ends late. I’m a wife and a mother to four amazing kids, ages 20 to 6, so there’s never a dull moment! Between school drop-offs, practices, appointments, and everything in between, I spend a good portion of my day in the car—just like so many parents out there trying to keep up with the whirlwind of life.
Running Live Your Dream has been one of the most rewarding and challenging journeys of my life. For many years, I poured everything into the foundation—often putting my own health and wellness last. It wasn’t until 2022, after receiving the Utah Philanthropy Award, that I had a bit of a wake-up call. My board members saw how much I was carrying and stepped in to support me in a meaningful way.
At the time, the foundation was 100% volunteer-run, and every donation went directly to the cause. But earlier that year, we made an important shift: we created three giving buckets—scholarships, endowment, and overhead costs—so donors could choose how their contributions were used. Thanks to that change and the support of our incredible board, we found donors willing to fund a part-time employee. That was huge for me. Up until then, I had been managing both the public-facing side of the foundation and all the behind-the-scenes operations. The extra help allowed me to breathe a little, take better care of myself, and be more present with my family.
Although I officially closed my hair clientele back in 2006, I still have a few loyal clients I see from time to time. And while life is busy, chaotic, and full, I continue to run the foundation full-time as a volunteer—because I believe deeply in our mission and the impact we’re making.
At the end of the day, I’m just a mom, a wife, and a woman doing her best to make a difference—while trying to keep up with laundry, carpool, and life like everyone else.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Katie Bunnell, co-founder and president of the Live Your Dream Foundation. We provide scholarships and support to single mothers pursuing higher education while raising their families. This mission is deeply personal—I know what it’s like to build a future while carrying so much responsibility.
With my family’s support, I earned my degree and discovered firsthand how education can transform not just a parent’s life, but an entire family. That experience changed me—I gained confidence, resilience, and a belief that I could do hard things. Inspired by that journey, my family and I created Live Your Dream to offer other single mothers the same opportunity, combining compassion, lived experience, and practical support.
Today, thanks to an incredible team of volunteers, donors, and community partners, we’re helping single mothers rise, rebuild, and thrive—while giving donors meaningful ways to be part of that change.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that truly shaped how I see the world was the unexpected passing of my husband, Byron, in 2005. I was a new mother with a three-month-old baby, suddenly grieving, scared, and unsure how I would care for my daughter or move forward. Everything changed overnight.
Byron and I had always loved serving others, and I found that giving back helped me step outside my pain. About a year later, my mother-in-law asked if I’d thought about going back to school. I laughed and told her, “That’s for smart people, not me.” I’d gone to hair school and then left to be a stay-at-home mom—it hadn’t felt like a long-term path. She offered to go with me to college, and I decided to give it a try. After finishing my first semester, I realized I really could do it. I went on to complete my bachelor’s degree in Integrated Studies in Business and Psychology in just two and a half years.
Soon after I graduated, my sister asked if I’d like to start a nonprofit to help single mothers pursue an education so they could increase their earning potential and better provide for their families. I was so excited—it felt like a dream come true and brought my love of service full circle. That’s how the Live Your Dream Foundation was born—a place where single mothers can find support, resources, and encouragement to pursue higher education and rebuild their lives.
This journey taught me that even in our darkest moments, we can create something meaningful—and that helping others rise is one of the most powerful ways to heal.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that has held me back the most is the fear of not being enough—not strong enough, smart enough, capable enough. When my husband passed away, that voice got even louder. I wondered if I could really do it all—raise a baby, provide for us, go back to school, and somehow find purpose in the middle of so much pain.
For a while, that fear almost kept me stuck. But I’ve learned that being “enough” isn’t about having it all figured out—it’s about showing up, leaning into the hard, and doing the things that feel scary or impossible. Strength isn’t something you start with; it’s something you build while you’re in the storm.
Fear still knocks on the door sometimes, but it doesn’t get to drive anymore. Every time I’ve walked through it—and chosen to do the hard, scary things anyway—I’ve not only grown, I’ve met incredible people who are walking their own tough roads, and that’s been the real gift.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to building the Live Your Dream endowment fund so it can help single mothers and their families for generations to come—even long after I’m gone. This isn’t just about helping women today; it’s about creating lasting opportunities so that no mother has to choose between providing for her children and pursuing her education. I believe that if we keep investing in women, we’ll keep changing families, communities, and futures—one generation at a time.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I was someone who turned pain into purpose, who saw others struggling and chose to walk alongside them. I hope they remember that I never gave up on helping people rise and thrive—and that I walked through the hard and learned something from it. I hope they also remember my jokes, my love for making people laugh, and how much I loved my family—because they have always been my number one. More than anything, I hope people say I lived with love, lifted others, and left the world a little brighter and more hopeful—and that the Live Your Dream Foundation continues to help families long after I’m gone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Liveyourdreamfoundation.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveyourdreamfoundationutah/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-bunnell-liveyourdream/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveyourdreamfoundationutah
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@liveyourdreamfoundationutah
Image Credits
@faleshiamaryphotography- the first 3 professional photos. Cemetery photo is not professional.
