Our Story

Drew attended college and switched his undergraduate major 3 times and career path 5 times. After graduating he still felt uncertain about his future so he enrolled in a doctoral program and an MBA program at the same time just to be safe. Dima has attended college, switched majors multiple times, and is currently putting a pause on his education. He has been highly invested in the sales industry and has worked in multiple different specialty areas traveling around the U.S.

Our journey has opened our eyes to the deep need for a more personal, more human approach to career exploration for high school students and young adults. We felt inspired because we once stood where so many young people stand today; unsure of where to go, and without the right kind of help to explore the vast world of careers.

At gritl, we’re doing something different. We focus on real human connection; tapping into the emotion, depth, and individuality of the people we serve. Our goal is to help each person become self reliant and confidently navigate their future with grit, precision, and purpose; but most importantly, we want to invite them to join us in creating a community full of individuals who want to make a difference in the world.

Dima and I met as missionaries going to Warsaw, Poland almost 10 years ago. After a short time together in the missionary training center we knew that we would become lifelong friends. We both grew up in Utah, but did not meet until we decided to serve. After our two years together living abroad, we returned home and stayed in touch; both trying to navigate our own futures while starting our own families. It took us a decade of trial and error until we found our calling; to reinvent career exploration. gritl was founded shortly after in February of 2025.