Meet Natalie from The Empwr
What inspired you to start your business, and how did it all begin?
I’d love to introduce myself and share how it all started—how an idea during yoga class turned into something much bigger, with a lot of heart, hard work, and support from family and friends along the way.
Because here’s the truth: I’m not a big corporation. I’m not backed by fancy investors or endless resources.
I’ve poured everything I have—every penny, all my love, and every spare moment—into creating The EMPWR, and every time someone joins our community, it truly fills me with so much gratitude and pride for what we’re building together. So, let me tell you how it all began…
In 2014 I moved from Sweden, where I was born, to the US. The story of The EMPWR all began during a quiet Christmas in 2022. Instead of flying back to Sweden, I ended up staying home in California, and decided to use my time to recharge with yoga and all kinds of creative crafts.
One day, in the middle of a yoga class I suddenly felt a rush of creative inspiration and a desire to go throw some paint on a canvas. I thought; wouldn't it be great if there was a space where we could all recharge, meditate, and then express ourselves creatively? If such place didn't exist, I was determined to create it. And that’s how the idea of The EMPWR started—with a dream to build a community where we could all explore our creative potential. Since then the idea has grown into much more than just a yoga and art studio…
For most of my life, I’ve wrestled with a lot of anxiety and depression—the feeling of being out of place, chasing some sort of high on life, and always thinking the grass was greener on the other side.
When I first discovered yoga in 2016, I was like many others, looking for a new type of workout and to perhaps to improve my flexibility. But what I learned in my practice was a new way of seeing life and appreciating the moment (but still, I can barely reach my toes or do a proper chaturanga!!)
I realized it’s okay to have big dreams and goals, but enjoying the process and being present along the way is just as important.
Over the past few years, I’ve worked hard on my own personal growth, and one of the biggest lessons has been the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people—the kind of community that lifts you up, inspires you, and reminds you that anything is possible. That’s the community I wanted to create with The EMPWR...
I had decided I wanted to move back to Europe, and that Barcelona was going to be the place. In 2023 I made the move, and it was by some luck (and maybe a little push from the universe) that I ended up here in Sitges.
When I first found the space that’s now The EMPWR, it was a complete wreck—no interior walls, no ceiling, no electricity. The café was a dusty, greasy old industrial kitchen, and there was zero sign of life. But I saw the potential. I believed I could turn it into a home for people like me—people looking for connection, creativity, and a space to dream a little bigger.
With a little faith in the universe (and a healthy dose of insanity) I decided to move forward with the space. Over the next few months, I had help from family and friends from all over the world, Sweden, Mexico, the US, helping me transform the space. We tore things down, built things up, and created the space we dreamed of—together.
It was (and still is!) one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but also one of the most rewarding. And I wouldn’t trade a minute of it.
Because what I believe, and what I want to share with the world, is an unwavering belief that anything is possible with the right mindset, support and community.
That’s what The EMPWR is all about.
What’s the story behind your business name?
Probably after 1,5 year of brainstorming back and forth trying to figure out what I wanted to call this place, and still find a unique name that could be used for my domain, Instagram, etc… I came up with The EMPWR. It’s a name that blends two powerful ideas:
Empire – not in the old, conquering sense, but in the modern one: building your own world, your own creative empire, your version of success. A place where you can show up fully and take up space.
Empower – because this space is all about lifting each other up. We’re here to help you reconnect with your creativity, grow into your potential, and live life on your own terms.
At The EMPWR, you don’t need to fit in. We’re a community that celebrates standing out, dreaming big, and becoming the boldest version of who you really are.
What values are most important to you in running your business?
Authenticity, connection, creativity and courage. I believe in showing up as you are and creating a space where others feel safe to do the same. I’m not here to pretend I have it all figured out—but I do know that magic happens when we create together, support each other, and take brave steps toward the lives we really want.
Do you have a personal favourite product/service that you offer?
Honestly, I love everything we do—but our Breakfast & Brainstorm sessions on Wednesday mornings hold a special place in my heart. They’re simple but powerful: a way to get the day started right, get inspired, and build our community. It’s always a bunch of good laughs and inspiration for the day. I also love our music nights, as those are probably the biggest events where people get to come and see the space and the little piece of magic that it’s built with. The artists we’ve had here are incredible, and they all do it to support the studio and share their own creativity, which I think shows and is felt as people enjoy the performances.
I’m also proud of finally kicking off my own craft workshops: Create & Connect - which are all about tapping into your creativity without pressure or perfectionism—just space to make something and feel good doing it. It was at the heart of what I’ve wanted to do for years and partially why I built this space, yet it has taken a lot from me getting over my own imposter syndrome and finally getting the courage to do these on my own… which in a sense, when you look at the whole picture and the journey, might seem funny.
Who do you serve, and what kind of problems do you help solve?
At The EMPWR, we serve expats, creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking a deeper sense of connection, inspiration, and belonging. Especially in a town like Sitges, where life can feel both magical and isolating at the same time, we provide a space where people can feel like they belong, supported, and empowered to follow their dreams. Whether it’s overcoming loneliness, reconnecting with your creativity, building a local network, or finding your people—the core of what I want to share is creativity and community.
What’s the best feedback you’ve ever received from a customer?
Right when we opened, we had someone who had bought a founding membership and was about to cancel before coming here as she had social anxiety. She ultimately decided to give it a shot and is now one of our most loyal members. For me, this is incredibly powerful and important, to create a safe space for people who may feel they don’t have a space to belong.
Some of the best and most heartfelt testimonials I’ve gotten…
"Thank you for creating a place and space that made me feel so quickly welcomed and accepted."
"Studio and community created straight from the heart. You can feel it!"
"The EMPWR is a really unique and special place in Sitges for both myself and a lot of other people!"
How would you describe the experience someone gets when they visit you?
My hope is that it’s warm, inspiring, and personal. The EMPWR is not a big corporation—it’s a passion project brought to life with love, intention, and a little bit of creative magic. My hope is that people that walk through this door feel they want to be part of it and keep building it with me. I consider this space belonging to all of our members.
Thank you Natalie, for sharing your story with us, cannot wait for the next chapter “Behind the Scenes with The Empwr”
To see the Empwr details and events, please visit their Member Listing.