Safe at last: How Courtney Bowlin found love, healing, and a home at work
In honor of Pride Month, we celebrate Courtney Bowlin’s journey of overcoming hardship to find safety, love, and a supportive family at home and at Driven Brands.
When Courtney Bowlin was growing up, safety wasn’t guaranteed.
Her home environment was challenging, and when she came out to her family during her freshman year of high school, she was not met with support.
Instead, she found it outside her home as her friends and their families embraced her for who she was.
“It was hard, but I look at it so differently now. It shaped me into who I am today,” said Courtney, customer service team lead and warranty specialist for Driven Brands. “I’m finally at that point where I'm grateful for what I experienced.”
Today, Courtney’s life looks very different. She has found safety and happiness in life and in work. This is her story.
Coming out
When Courtney first came out to her friends and family, it wasn’t by choice. Someone she knew had threatened to out her if she didn’t beat them to it. So, she did.
“That first year was very hard,” recalled Courtney, who identifies as a lesbian. “But, even though in that moment it was like panic to me, it made it possible for me to say things like, ‘This is my first girlfriend,’ and it wasn’t a point of contention.”
Originally from Houston, Texas, Courtney moved to Waco after she graduated high school and “tried to figure out life,” she recalled.
She found a job she hated, and a woman she loved. Her name was Adriana.
“She felt like home. She made me feel safe,” Courtney said. “When you don’t grow up in a safe environment, that means everything.”
Her job, however, was not. So she kept her eyes open and eventually met someone who worked for Driven Brands, where she saw a work environment that was interesting, engaging and supportive. It was a company she wanted to work for, and she jumped right in.
That was four years ago. Now, Courtney is fresh off a recent promotion to warranty specialist within the customer service team, where she works for a boss she never wants to leave.
“I love my boss, Shamika Davidson, so much. She is amazing – the best boss I've ever had,” Courtney said. “I can call her and ask for what I need – time for emergency vet visits and doctor’s appointments, mental health days – and she understands. She says, ‘Go have a minute. We’ll be fine.’”
Finding love and support
That support was on full display in October of 2024, when Courtney and Adriana got married after more than six years together.
The couple decided to elope in lieu of a big celebration, which was important to Courtney.
“I wanted to keep it solely about our love for one another. I didn’t want to be worried about everybody else being happy,” she said.
They were married in the courthouse, then went to a forest not far from their house – a favorite spot for the couple and their two dogs, Nitha and Stassi – and ate cake.
“We’ve healed each other’s wounds in so many ways. She’s my person,” Courtney said. “We’ve gone through so much, and everything that’s been hard has made us grow stronger together.”
Among those who showered the newlyweds with support in the wake of their elopement was Courtney’s boss, Shamika.
“When she heard we were getting married, she said, ‘I’m so excited!’ It was so sweet,” Courtney said. “I’m very thankful for Driven. I’ve never experienced anything like that.”
Looking forward, Courtney is eager to explore this new phase of her career and to continue building a life with Adriana, their dogs, and their cat, Nova.
“Little me would just cry happy tears seeing how much I've evolved and overcome,” she said.