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“So that's the premise of what we do. We show up when you don't know what to say, when it's hard for you to remember those days, but you don't want to leave someone alone.”
In this heartfelt episode of Startups in Stilettos, Ingrid Zapata-Read sits down with Kelly Edmondson, founder of Timely Presence, a year-long grief support service created from unimaginable loss and deep compassion. After the unexpected death of her son, Kelly, a nurse, bereaved mother, and certified grief counselor, recognized the silence that follows tragedy once the casseroles stop coming and life moves on for everyone else. Determined to change that experience for others, she built Timely Presence to help grieving families feel remembered, supported, and less alone on the days that matter most.
Kelly shares the deeply personal story behind her business, how grief and entrepreneurship now fuel one another, and why community is essential in healing. From curated heirloom-quality gifts delivered throughout the first year of loss to upcoming group counseling services and partnerships with employers and healthcare systems, this conversation explores what it truly means to show up for people in their darkest moments.
What We Talked About:
Building Timely Presence [2:46]
The Process of Timely Presence [8:50]
Navigating Grief While Building a Business [15:11]
The Need for Continued Support in Grief [24:12]
Future Plans and Growth [27:02]
Connect with Kelly:
@the.kellyedmondson on Instagram
@thetimelypresence on Instagram
Kelly Edmondson on LinkedIn
Connect with Ingrid:
@itsingridsworld on Instagram
Ingrid Zapata-Read on Linkedin
Grow With Community
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Guests
Kelly Edmondson
Hosts
Ingrid Zapata Read
Ingrid Zapata Read is a community strategist and founder of Grow With Community. She helps businesses get closer to the people they serve and build stronger, more intentional relationships around their mission.
After building a global community for moms of over 200,000 members, and through her experience in sales, startups, and customer experience, Ingrid brings a people-first perspective to growth across industries. She’s known for her thoughtful, practical approach and believes community building should be a part of every business strategy.
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