Episode 24: Jen Groover on Curiosity, Creativity and Potential

"We Are Often Playing Small To Our Own Potential" Jen Groover

From her earliest memories of being tied to her chair as a young girl by “Sister Elizabeth” for being too curious, Jen Groover she knew she was intrigued by conversation and networking.

In college, Jen studied education and psychology. During that time she expanded and shifted her approach to creativity and begun to apply it to her work. It just so happened that Jen's first business venture was in the world of fitness. Jen had experienced the high that comes from teaching (after facing her fears of no-one showing up for her first class) and realized that she wanted to experience the energy and high of creating something new and partnered with an existing company to open a gym space.  But that was just the beginning. During this part of our conversation, we also revisit the hey day of fitness and step aerobics. It so happened Gin Miller and myself were the videos she was using for inspiration. I love that this has now come full circle and Jen is one of my mentors and reminds me how to show up fully in the world every day.

Jen shares marvelous advice on how to get out of your head and into the world. How to face your fears, value your own ideas and take big action steps to put your dreams in motion. We discussed "fear" and how Jen now has more fear of regret, than fear of failure and I too am the same way. We also talk about the glass ceiling often being our own belief system. Jen talks about creativity assets are dropping out of the sky every day, but it is not until we take action that those assets can be turned into as many verticals and companies as you have time for.

I ask Jen about where it is that she finds her inspiration. It was interesting to hear Jen talk about Reebok being one of the companies that she looked at to learn how to create, execute and repeat. It was then at QVC she discovered the importance of telling stories that would sell into people’s desires. It was here that she learnt the art of pitching and positioning for other brands, she then put that education behind her own company. Jen is also an expert at partnering with strong people around her to move great ideas faster and more efficiently.

Take a listen and be inspired. There are so many nuggets of wisdom that can be applied into your life, whatever you are doing and whatever your dreams. If you live in NYC or Philadelphia click here to find out more about the upcoming Jump Start Pop Up events:

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More About Jen

Jen Groover has been tagged by SUCCESS MAGAZINE as a “One-Woman Brand,” a “Creativity and Innovation Guru” and a leading “Serial Entrepreneur” by Entrepreneur Magazine and ranked #8 by SAP in the Top 51 Influencers of Human Potential. Jen Groover’s name has become synonymous with innovation, entrepreneurship and transformation. She was recently nominated as a UN delegate to the first ever Global Accelerator for the Global Entrepreneurs Council.

She also made history at the NYSE, as a member of the first all-female group to ring the opening bell and made Forbes’ list of “50 Founders You Need to Follow on Twitter.” Jen’s energy and multi-faceted, diverse wisdom make her a highly sought after international speaker for Fortune 500 companies to top Universities, Non-Profits, Chamber of Commerces, Business Conferences, and more on topics ranging from business to leadership, empowerment to emotional intelligence to healthy living, and enhancing productivity. Her influence and leadership has aligned her with amazing brands, such as Avon, Independence Blue Cross, Verizon, USANA Health Sciences and SkyMall, for which Jen has had various roles as a spokeswoman and consultant for brand development and leadership training.

Her success skyrocketed with the creation of the Butler Bag, the world’s first compartmentalized handbag, that became a multi-million dollar brand, and has not stopped since. Jen springboarded the Butler Bag’s success into an entire lifestyle brand, found at a variety of price points and well-known retailers, which is led to the creation of subsequent lifestyle brands, Leader Girlz, and Empowered by Jen Groover.

Jen has been a top business and lifestyle contributor and content creator for major television networks such as ABC, CBS, CNBC, NBC, MSNBC, Fox News, Fox Business News, and the The CW. Jen also contributes editorial pieces to several prominent business magazines and online resources including The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur Magazine, Inc Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Positively Positive, The Daily Love, and HealthyStyle NY. Her products, brand, and work have been featured in hundreds of media outlets including O! The Oprah Magazine, Redbook, People, US Weekly, SUCCESS and Forbes.

Jen continues to strive toward her ultimate goal, which is to innovate in every industry she is inspired to play in, while empowering others to achieve their goals. Jen is more than a multifaceted, multitalented individual - she is, undoubtedly, a force to be reckoned with. Jen believes in active participation and lives by the belief that “if you are going to complain about something you better be willing to inspire change.”