Everything in Karla Jo Helms’ life was just fine—on the surface. But appearances were deceiving, she soon found out. Her profile is one of 200 “Meet a Scientologist” videos available on the Scientology website at www.Scientology.org.
Growing up in a high-end suburb of Houston, Texas, Karla Jo Helms lived in a “perfect” world where everything had its place and life was fine. Then she started to realize everything was not what it appeared to be, but no one could tell her why.
“I was 10 years old when I had my first inkling that something might be wrong. Despite the fancy cars and beautiful homes, people really weren’t happy,” says Helms.
Nonetheless, she carried on as expected.
With her sights on a career in dance from the time she was five, Helms attended private schools, college, did everything according to plan—until a back injury when she was 21 slammed the door shut on the one thing she’d always wanted to do in life.
“I was devastated,” says Helms. “And I suddenly realized I had no idea how to put my life back on track.”
Having heard about Scientology, and hoping it might have some answers, Helms walked into the Church of Scientology Mission in Houston. She went in looking for help, not sympathy—and what she found was herself.
“They encouraged me to think for myself and decide based on what was true for me,” says Helms. “In his essay called ‘Personal Integrity,’ L. Ron Hubbard wrote, ‘Personal integrity is knowing what you know. What you know is what you know and to have the courage to know and say what you have observed.’ So I started looking for things that were true for me. That was tremendously empowering. It was a turning point in my life.”
Studying administrative technology developed by L. Ron Hubbard, Helms learned basic skills that contributed to her success in the business world. She gravitated toward public relations, which matched perfectly with her inherent abilities.
After managing the PR for a Florida-based Inc 500 company for several years, Helms decided to open her own PR firm in the first quarter of 2009. It was the height of the economic downturn, and friends were advising caution, but although she understood the risks, Helms assessed her skills and the local scene and went forward with her plans. Her judgment proved sound and her business is thriving.
“I love the Tampa Bay area and I like to give back,” says Helms. “We do quite a bit of pro bono work on community events and activities, including the local Boys and Girls Club. We took on the Clearwater Super Boat National Championship Festival, helping make it a total success. A project like that takes a lot of work, but it’s interesting that the more work we do for the community, the more we expand.”
What she has learned in Scientology has helped Helms pull together a team of very talented people, including the perfect business partner. They all love working hard and helping their clients succeed.
Helms approaches life with energy, self-assurance and the knowledge that whatever comes next, she’s ready.
“Scientology is a big part of me,” says Helms. “It taught me the basics of how to operate in life, how to improve my abilities and reach my goals. It gave me the certainty of who I am and the confidence to be myself, and that’s the best of all.”
View the Karla Jo Helms video at Scientology.org.
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The popular “Meet a Scientologist” profiles on the Church of Scientology International Video Channel at Scientology.org now total 200 broadcast-quality documentary videos featuring Scientologists from diverse locations and walks of life. The personal stories are told by Scientologists who are educators, teenagers, skydivers, a golf instructor, a hip-hop dancer, IT manager, stunt pilot, mothers, fathers, dentists, photographers, actors, musicians, fashion designers, engineers, students, business owners and more.
A digital pioneer and leader in the online religious community, in April 2008 the Church of Scientology became the first major religion to launch its own official YouTube Video Channel, which has now been viewed by millions of visitors.
Official Scientology News: ScientologyNews.org