Meet Peyten Williams | Founder of Bowbend Consulting

We had the good fortune of connecting with Peyten Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Peyten, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I had what I like to call a true “mountain-top moment.” For 16 years, I worked as a teacher and administrator in middle and high schools—a career I absolutely loved. I cherished teaching, coaching teachers, and working closely with students. But for some time, I had felt a persistent pull to step into something new. At first, I resisted. After all, I was passionate about my work and found deep fulfillment in my role.

In the fall of 2021, my husband and I took a getaway to a small hotel in the Tennessee mountains. That peaceful weekend away gave me the clarity I needed. It became undeniable that I was being called to leave my job and pursue something different—something that would allow me to serve children and families in a broader capacity.

I realized I could bring together my unique perspectives as a former teacher, an administrator, and a parent to help schools and families navigate the challenges of raising and educating children today. From that vision, Bowbend Consulting was born. The name stems from a beautiful metaphor in Kahlil Gibran’s poem “On Children” from his book The Prophet, where he compares children to arrows and parents to the bows that launch them. For arrows to soar, the bows must bend, flex, and adapt. That idea captured the essence of what I wanted to achieve: helping parents and schools equip children to thrive.

With Bowbend Consulting, I get to live out my mission of inspiring and equipping schools and parents to raise children of character. It’s a perfect blend of my passions—facilitating meaningful discussions, sharing professional development and parenting insights, reading incredible books, and learning from others who are equally dedicated to children’s success. Starting this journey back in 2021 was a leap of faith, but it’s been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m incredibly proud of what I’m building with Bowbend Consulting. At its core, Bowbend is about creating spaces where parents and schools can connect, learn, and grow together. Parents are hungry for community, inspiration, and practical tools, and I believe schools are uniquely positioned to provide those things. My chief role is to help schools create experiences for parents where they can engage with one another, learn from experts, and walk away equipped to better support their children.

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Kids don’t come with a manual,” but as a teacher, I felt like I had one. I spent years learning about child development, building relationships with kids, setting boundaries, and helping them grow into their independence. These are skills that parents can learn too. When I became a parent, I realized how much my background in education shaped my parenting, and I saw friends struggling with challenges that felt second nature to me because of my training. That’s when I knew there was an opportunity to bridge the gap.

Through Bowbend, I offer interactive workshops for parents and professional development for teachers that provide actionable strategies and insights. Over the past year, I’ve traveled across states like Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Indiana, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to hear from parents and schools that the workshops are exactly what they needed. Knowing I’m making a positive impact on these communities is the most fulfilling part of what I do.

But starting this business hasn’t been easy. As a long-time educator, I was confident in my ability to create and deliver meaningful workshops, but running a business was a completely different challenge. Marketing, advertising, social media, and networking were all new territory for me. In fact, I wasn’t even on social media before starting Bowbend, and now I post almost daily! It’s been a steep learning curve but also a great opportunity for growth.

I’ve had incredible support along the way. Wise advice from my friend Liza Garonzik at Real Discussion and feedback from my marketing-minded sister Whitney Fowler at Morrison Agency gave me a strong foundation to build on. I also credit much of my growth to the coaching I received from my friend Anne Hawkins, founder of Vantage Advising in Nashville, who guided me through the challenges—both perceived and real—of starting a business. Mentorship and collaboration have been essential to my success, and I firmly believe that we’re stronger when we go together.

At Bowbend, my goal is to create experiences that build community, shared values, and capability among parents and schools. When adults grow, children benefit. Too often, we blame parents without offering them real support. There’s so much misinformation out there, and even the good advice can sometimes be misinterpreted. I aim to cut through the noise and provide practical, evidence-based strategies that make a real difference.

Ultimately, schools and parents are natural partners in raising children of character, and my role is to strengthen that partnership. Schools are focused on supporting kids, and rightly so. What I offer is a way for schools to also bring parents along in the journey, creating a stronger, more cohesive community for children to thrive. When schools and parents work together, the possibilities for children are limitless.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As someone who grew up in Atlanta and only left briefly for college at the Unviersity of Virginia, I like to think I know the city pretty well! If my best friend were visiting for a week, I’d want to give her the ultimate experience of what makes Atlanta so special. Here’s what I’d plan—complete with great food, scenic spots, and a little adventure:

Day 1: We’d kick things off with sweet potato biscuits from Cupanions in Sandy Springs before heading to Chastain Park for a peaceful morning walk. For lunch, we’d indulge at Le Bon Nosh, a beautiful spot with delicious flavors. In the afternoon, we’d take my dog to Fetch Dog Park in Buckhead for some playful fun. That evening, we’d catch a concert at Chastain Park Amphitheatre or volunteer as side-walkers at Chastain Horse Park, blending entertainment with giving back.

Day 2: The day would start with an energizing lagree class at Stellar Bodies or Sculpthouse, followed by coffee at Dancing Goats. Lunch would be a classic Atlanta favorite: Café at Pharr on Peachtree. Afterward, we’d stroll through the charming Duck Pond off Lindbergh. For the evening, we’d immerse ourselves in the arts with a visit to the Alliance Theatre or a performance at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Day 3: It’s a Waffle House kind of morning—complete with chocolate chip waffles (my kids’ favorite!). Then, we’d grab bikes and hit the Alpharetta Greenway for a long ride or some light mountain biking. On the way back, we’d stop at Vero in Brookhaven for their Hot Honey pizza and finish the day with a cozy movie night at home.

Day 4: A day on the Atlanta BeltLine is a must! We’d start with brunch at Flying Biscuit before walking and shopping along the BeltLine. Renting scooters would add an adventurous twist. In the evening, we’d see a show at the iconic Fox Theatre. If the Piano Guys were in town, that would be an absolute must-see!

Day 5: For something unique, we’d go rock climbing at Stone Summit and then cool down with sweet treats from the Frosty Caboose in Chamblee—a hidden gem with a nostalgic charm.

Day 6: This day would be all about decadence. We’d enjoy a luxurious long lunch at Le Bilboquet in the Streets of Buckhead, then cap it off with an elegant dinner at Lucian Books and Wine—a perfect blend of food, ambiance, and conversation.

Day 7: To close out the week, we’d spend the day outdoors at the Atlanta Botanical Garden and Piedmont Park. It’s the perfect mix of nature, beauty, and relaxation, with plenty of scenic spots for photos and moments to soak in the city’s charm.

Atlanta offers such a great balance of nature, culture, and unforgettable dining experiences, and this itinerary captures some of my absolute favorites. It’s a mix of relaxation, adventure, and connection—perfect for making lasting memories!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to give a shout-out to all of my former colleagues at Westminster School in Atlanta. I learned so much from you. Every day, you modeled what it looked like to inspire and equip children to be people of character.

Website: https://bowbendconsulting.com

Instagram: @bowbend_consulting and @epdwilliams

Linkedin: Peyten Williams

Facebook: Bowbend Consulting and Peyten Williams

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3TVeDgZTRLJibc1ux6tSYg

Other: Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-great-teachers-know-that-all-parents-can-use/id1756122916

Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ihLb4WIEGALN33lTWBRHd