In this three part series, we’ll be highlighting our three founding team members, Inga, Kevin and Julie, who have been there from the very beginning of EPAGA’s story. If you happen to share a personal connection with them, please leave a comment below to give them the love and recognition they deserve!
Left to right: Julie Brubaker, Kali (daughter), Mike, and Bailey (daughter).
If there is anyone that can testify to the value of hard work and grit when it comes to realizing your dreams, it’s Julie. She’s been with EPAGA from the very beginning in 2007, and in addition to being a founding member of the business, she provides leadership and guidance within the roles of Chief Operating Officer. She’s watched as her dreams have unfolded into a full-fledged, successful business model that works to better her community, and feels more fulfilled in her work than she could have ever imagined.
Julie has an undeniable tenacity about her, and she works hard for what she believes in. As a result, she’s found herself in several different roles within her career. For over ten years she worked as an office manager for physicians, eventually became a certified medical assistant, and also worked for a home care agency prior to EPAGA. Within these different experiences, she’s observed that “dedicating yourself to helping someone that you don’t know is something powerful.” Julie has bravely lived out this truth, having the opportunity to step into numerous homes over the years; walking alongside those who are hurting and holding space for their concerns and needs. This is no doubt the evidence of the Lord in her life, constantly beckoning her towards something better, towards something of greater compassion, and of greater love. The need for excellent home care has always been impressed upon her heart, and she’s an outspoken advocate for the betterment of people. Whether it was the time and patience to talk a caregiver off the ledge, or the compassion and strength to hold hands with someone who was nearing the end of their life, Julie knew she felt called into home care. In every role she’s found herself in, she’s observed both the negative and positive aspects of each scenario. This eventually brought her to a crossroads between two choices: to stay in her current role, accompanied by difficult implications, or to use her energy and drive to build something better.
Meanwhile, Julie and Inga (now EPAGA CFO) had crossed paths, and instantly clicked. Thus, the foundation of a lifelong friendship and the beginning of a dream that would eventually become EPAGA Home Care began to form. When considering the chance to build something new, Julie asked Inga: “Can I do this on my own?” to which Inga replied, “Not without me!” From that point forward, they jumped off into the unknown, and they’ve been in it together ever since.
Julie is thankful that Jesus came as a servant, and asked us to do the same. He served those around Him on the basis of agapé love, and as Julie said: “If you don't have a love for people, you can’t be an effective caregiver.” She knows that God is in control of all things, and because that, she has the time and space to show up, to love the people in her care, and encourage others to be good to one another in the process.
Life has been an incredible ride, and Julie is driven by the motto of “do the best with what you have.” When it comes to EPAGA, she’s proud of what she considers to be genuine and authentic. It’s important to her that clients don't have to guess where they stand, and this is executed with honesty, compassion and transparency. One of the best parts of her job is being in the office, which she assured me was a “fun one,” filled with lots of laughter and an atmosphere that feels like family. She chooses to go with her gut, hold fast to her values, and facilitate an atmosphere where everyone is kind and loving to one another. Julie’s boldness and courage has no doubt been the saving grace for many, as a voice for those who cannot speak and a defender for those who need an advocate. She is an agent of change and of love in her family, her workspace, and in her world, and this is evident to those whom she is serving and working alongside at EPAGA.
