Jen never saw skincare sales as a part of her future.
In fact, she started her career in the military…which is where she also met her husband. They were both studying at the Air Force Academy. She became an aircraft maintenance officer and he went on to become a pilot. This meant the two of them were often deployed…making it difficult to build a future and grow a family.
When the couple decided it was time to have children, Jen joined the reserves and began to stay home. After just a few years she began looking for part-time work, but was unable to find anything suitable in part-time hours, so she decided entrepreneurship would be a good route and started an interior design business from home.
Although her business became a success, it ended when a new military assignment was given to her husband and their family was sent to a new location.
Thankfully a friend has just recently told her about a virtual skincare business. Although Jen was really impressed by the business model and company brand recognition, she wasn’t crazy about selling skincare, since it had never been something she’d really been interested in before. Her true calling was to help other military families, although she wasn’t certain how to pursue that passion. One day, it all clicked.
“I like to call it my Jerry Maguire moment,” she says, laughing.
She realized she could intertwine her work with the virtual skincare business to fuel her dream of serving military spouses. This discovery lit a fire under her and she immediately decided she would give one half of her virtual business income to a nonprofit micro loan organization and request those funds to be tabbed for loans awarded to military spouses.
So off she went. She launched her virtual skincare business from home and, just a few years later, she continues to support this micro loan organization for military spouses and also gives generously every month to other causes she believes in.
“This is going to sound funny,” she confides, “but I’m a terrible salesperson. I don’t like pushing things on people. But I realized that in this business, I’m not just selling things, I’m sharing an opportunity.”
Jen didn’t know much about starting a virtual franchise, so she focused on what she did know, building her own self-confidence and that of those around her.
Because of the success of her virtual skincare business, Jen has redesigned life both for her and her family. While the business world can be cold, dark, and uncertain, Jen loves that her business is based on sharing and support. How does Jen measure her own success?
“Watching leaders grow. The more people I empower and the more leaders I build – that’s how I measure my success.”
Do you have a passion for serving others like Jen does? Are you looking for more freedom or flexibility in your career? Would generating supplemental income online each month help you reach your personal and/or financial goals? If you answered yes to any of those questions, click here to find out more about how you can start creating an additional income easily alongside another career.
It’s amazing how the life you planned out can completely change but change for the better. Well done for following your heart! Nikki
It’s so true, Nikki…things can change at the drop of a hat. I love sharing Jen’s story!
This is awesome! Entrepreneurship can be a rough journey but having a strong support system makes all the difference. I love that Jen donates to other causes as well.
It really can…having a group of cheerleaders to keep you accountable and support you is key! Me too! 🙂
Great interview! I’m definitely trying to monetize my blog more this year. I don’t want to give up my full-time job because I love it so much, but this is a good side job 🙂
That’s awesome that you love your full-time job! I love mine too! We’re definitely fortunate because so many people don’t…thanks for stopping by and saying hello! 🙂
How great that Jen was able to turn a situation around and start a new career. This is an encouraging post for anyone facing a similar situation.
Right?! So exciting to see someone overcome circumstances and take their career by the reins…love Jen’s story!
Jen sounds like an amazing business woman, what an amazing story and I hope her business continues to be a success
She truly is! Yes, me too! 🙂
Wow how the world has changed that you can have a business from anywhere you can stay connected. That’s awesome that she can fulfill her purpose and be there for her family as well. What a blessing!
Isn’t it wild how technology and business models change things?! It truly is a blessing to work and do business on your own terms.
I love reading about successful professional women! So empowering to others chasing their dreams!
I’m so glad you stopped by to say hello. Thanks Shane! 🙂
“Jerry McGuire moment” I completely understand what that is like. I love how you do interviews with people that are so relatable. I left my own life plan to do fulltime blogging and become an entrepreneur.
Isaly Holland | http://www.memoriesbyisaly.com
Awe, thanks for the kind comment, Isaly. That’s definitely my goal…to keep things relatable! I’m so excited you’ve started your own venture. I always say the rewards go to the risk takers! 🙂
Cool story! Love reading about her success!
Thanks for dropping by, Abby!
This is amazing, so good for Jen and her family! These days coming up with alternative career options seem easier than being persistent for sure.
xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com
Absolutely…I always say if you seek, you will find. 🙂
To empower women, we must help each other to discover our entrepreneurial skills, that could help to boost our confidence, for also for our future.
I completely agree, Blair. So many women don’t think they have entrepreneurial skills…I sure didn’t think I did. I’m so thankful for the day someone told me I should look into starting my own business! It’s completely changed my life. I appreciate you coming by! 🙂
Wow Jen sounds like a super mom and true business woman! Love that this blog post encourages us females to push out of our comfort zone to discover our entrepreneurial skills. Thanks for allowing us to gain some inspiration and insight on what other careers are out their for us!
~Crissy
http://www.whimsicalfawn.com
Thanks for the kind words, Crissy! Jen is an amazing mom and entrepreneur, for sure! So happy you stopped by and said hello. 🙂
I love hearing stories where people stumble into jobs. I think that is the most realistic thing that happens to people. Very cool.
I do too! SO much of life is just stumbling and grabbing onto great opportunities that cross our paths, right? 🙂
This was such an interesting read. I’m so glad she found something she enjoys.
Thanks Amber. Appreciate you stopping by.
I love that her business is built on care and support, after all businesses shouldn’t be cold and calculated. It is great that she is so passionate about her work too.
I’m with you, Ana. So many businesses ARE cold and calculated. Passion is key! 🙂 Thanks for saying hello, Ana!
confidence is key when wanting to succeed in something. This was a very inspirational story, I enjoyed reading it.
Absolutely…confidence is a must! 🙂 Thanks for coming by, Rae.
Wow! This is such an inspiring story. It’s very similar to how I stumbled into my current career. It’s such a fun ride when you collide with the perfect business plan.
Congratulations hard work pays off and I wish you all the best in the future!
She is inspiring. Reminds me of Ivankas’s Women Who Work. I hope many will also be inspired with her stories and career.
What a cool story .. from military to skin care. It just goes to show that we never quite know what life is going to throw at us. Thanks for the post!
I like her quote of I’m not just selling I’m sharing an opportunity. I used to sell items and it’s not for me but applaud people who make it work!
I love hearing stories of people turning passion into opportunity! There is nothing better or more rewarding than people empowering people to become and live to their full potential!
It is amazing how Jen started out doing one thing and then found her true calling! Glad to hear she’s happy and helping others to find their passion
What an inspiring story! I just love reading about people finding their own successes and sharing it so that others may succeed too. Thank you for sharing Jen’s story. I hope her tribe increases!
Jen story is so interesting, even she didn’t see her skincare business in the future, but that’s life. Not matter how much you planned it, destiny still call the shots,
Love this! Found it very inspiring as my husband and I would really like to start our own business down the road xx
Wow sounds like an amazing business woman!!! Thanks for sharing this story it’s very inspiring.
This is awesome. I feel the best sales people are those that are passionate about the products and/or information that they are sharing. It’s awesome that all worked out for her to pursue her own business.
Omg just love this!! Such an inspirational story!!! It’s crazy how one little thing can change our lives forever
That sounds great.I love how you have described the story if her military journey to an entrepreneur.
Glad to read about Jen. She sounds so empowering and intelligent!
I haven’t got into it for the same reasons. It was a great story!
~ http://viabella-thebeautifullife.blogspot.com/