Making The Leap From Employee → Entrepreneur [Q124]
What does it mean to be an entrepreneur?
Entrepreneurship is the journey of starting, developing and growing your very own business. It comes with the ability to set your own hours/schedule, work wherever you want, follow your passion, and make a career out of what you love.
Women in Entrepreneurship
It’s not a new idea by any means, but is becoming a growing position especially amongst women. As of 2022, women-owned businesses contribute substantially to entrepreneurship in the United States and now make up 42% of businesses in the U.S. Over the last decade, the number of women-owned businesses have increased 114%.
After the pandemic, millions of Americans walked away from their corporate jobs to pursue entrepreneurship — there was a mass exodus in all industries, where according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4.5 million people voluntarily left their positions.
Yes, entrepreneurship may seem scary… but that’s the fun of it! The leap from employee to entrepreneur is a big one… but I promise it’s inviting, exciting, and rewarding at the same time.
You learn so much from this journey that you otherwise would not have. There are A LOT of “A-ha!” moments along with crying in the bathtub moments, but hey, it’s these experiences that help you grow as an individual and an entrepreneur. Nothing comes easy, nor does it just stop on your doorstep, the grind is half the fun.
Here, I’m excited to be sharing my own entrepreneurial story and highlighting the inspiring stories of 3 other incredible female entrepreneurs in my network, too.
Owner & Founder of JDP Consult Co
What were you doing before?
Before JDP, I was working at a public tech software company here in Minneapolis and running my jewelry business, MEND. At the end of the day, I moved MEND back to part-time and started a full-time job back in the corporate world, because it was the pandemic, I needed health insurance, and I was burnt out from the jewelry business.
At the tech company, I was helping to produce internal communications — bylines, pitching stories, you name it. I even helped to do the communications for 2 of the most valuable acquisitions in the company, which was an awesome experience to learn and I met a lot of interesting people.
What was the tipping point?
Well, being a woman in tech was NOT the hill I wanted to die on. That, plus I just wasn’t passionate about software and I didn't see myself climbing the corporate ladder. I wanted to create my own path for success.
So, after working for a few years in corporate, I hit my tipping point because I realized 3 things:
I wanted to make more money
I wanted more freedom
I wanted a community
So, I left.
What is the new venture, and how is it going now?
You’re right here in it! JDP Consult was the new venture that I left the corporate job for. In May of this year, I also closed down MEND Jewelry so I could focus on JDP Consult and grow this company.
How’s it going, you ask? I am doing consulting, I get to speak and do workshops to help businesses & women transform AND I get to be a professional problem solver and help businesses scale through strategic planning and implementation.
I’ve been able to take my experiences in corporate and from MEND to help other businesses, and it’s gratifying. Through JDP Consult, I’m learning more than I’ve ever learned before and I’m challenging myself more than ever, too.
I’ve been able to celebrate a few milestones this year with JDP including transforming 12+ businesses, speaking at multiple events and podcasts, opening the JDP Resource Library and expanding my blog, and I got certified in Harvard’s Leading with Finance program.
I wouldn’t have it any other way. 🙂
Owner & Founder of The Businesswomen's Circle (BWC), a women’s-oriented company that facilitates monthly meetings to provide support, accountability for female business owners.
What were you doing before?
I had worked at Target Corporation for 22 years. Combination of the department stores and then Target HQ. My last role was setting up the HR Operations Division for the corporation.
What was the tipping point?
We had had a change in CEO, which brought on a change in leadership at the VP level. I was a Director at the time (yes, I had a corner office) and realized a couple of things:
I did not want to go any higher in the organization. Being in HR and at the position I was in - I realized to go higher in the organization meant I would be embroiled in a level of politics I did not want to be in.
With the change in leadership - I also realized that the organization I had "grown up" in was no longer the same organization.
Since I would probably not be allowed to be in a Director level position for another 30 years - I decided to leave corporate life. So I did (without a plan).
What is the new venture, and how is it going now?
I had a friend who was a serial entrepreneur who I reached out and had lunch with after I had made my decision to leave. I was enthralled by the work she was doing (coaching women business owners, leading WPO sessions, etc.). I asked to be her apprentice - but she said I was talented and would figure out something. I thanked her for the compliment but internally had no idea what I would do.
Luckily, she had an idea and called me the next morning to ask if I would be interested in testing it out with her. That idea was for The BWC (The Businesswomen's Circle) where we would put together groups of women business owners and facilitate monthly meetings for them focusing on growth through connection, accountability, support and learning.
What started as a test for a year grew. Today, we have 20 Circles that serve women business owners, professionals (including young professionals) and other specialty Circles.
Co-Founder and CEO of High Note Wealth, a firm of highly credentialed financial advisors helping families and business owners with wealth management. She was also a partner to MEND Jewelry!
What were you doing before?
I’ve been a financial planner for 27 years but decided to take my company private 4 years ago. What an adventure!
What was the tipping point?
The tipping point was truly wanting to own my own business and all of the flexibilities and challenges that go along with it….ha!
What is the new / current venture, and how is it going now?
It is truly a well-oiled machine now and was the best decision we’ve ever made in business. We are helping more people more efficiently and driving enterprise value. It’s truly a win/win!
Partner, Jkath Design Build + Reinvent
What were you doing before?
Previously, I owned a local wine bar in Minneapolis for just under a decade. Specializing in small plates and an early adopter of communal seating. Also ran a successful wedding venue with 300+ completed weddings and corporate events.
What was the tipping point?
Tipping point was the stress and fast paced environment of hospitality. Wages rising, and barriers of entry were low so quality staffing was a continued challenge. Profit margin is very low and requires a very watchful eye, recognized getting out of the day to day was not an option and a more stable career path was in order.
What is the new / current venture, and how is it going now?
New venture is Jkath Design Build + Reinvent, a residential renovation company with three arms of the business; renovations with a specialty in historic homes, custom cabinetry made in our cabinet shop, and a design team to kick off each project while also working on remote projects that our shop/renovation teams will not execute.
We have experienced growth each year since 2016, with 100% growth each year in the early years. A team of 12, with bookings well into 2024, local and a soon to be national publication with award winning renovations. It’s ‘pretty good’ and Jordyn will laugh at that comment. Added comment, my husband is the founder of this company in 2010, and I joined his efforts in 2014.
I’m excited to continue sharing the stories of fellow female entrepreneurs throughout the year. I truly believe there is room for more businesses in the world and women-founded and -run ones, at that!
† Reference 1: 2022 Annual Report from the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) https://cdn.www.nwbc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20105617/NWBC-2022-Annual-Report.pdf
HI THERE, I’M JORDYN
Serial entrepreneur, strategic integrator and financial aficionado.
My mission is to revolutionize the way businesses grow with strategic clarity and implementation. It goes beyond consultancy—as I want to be a dedicated partner in propelling your success with strategy and impactful execution with zest and honesty.