Jess Johnson is a motivational speaker and a personal stylist at Anthropologie.
“Hi I’m Jess, a grateful human living out the bonus round of my life. I’m a motivational speaker with an accidental career as a personal stylist for Anthropologie Kierland Commons. Although I work for a corporation, I have to find my own clients, so when I heard about the Foundress from a flyer in a Junk in the Trunk swag bag, I joined. I was also very new to the area and looking to grow and find my community. Several years later in a Foundress meeting I shared during a goal making session that I didn’t have any specific goals outside of serving my existing clients and meeting new clients to help at Anthropologie. Coley spoke up and said that my story, my life was valuable to share and that I should make it a goal to do so. And so I did. Less than a year later I had the pleasure of kicking off the year as the featured speaker in January 2023.
“After that, I started moving away from simply helping people with outfits and towards being a motivational speaker. That’s where the ‘Infit’ idea came from, focusing on both the outsides and the insides.”
AZF: Did you always know that you wanted to be entrepreneur? If not, when did you realize that it was the right path right for you?
JJ: After I got sober I treated everything in my path as a potential adventure, as a bonus round of life. I started saying yes to things that aligned with my moral compass and no to the people, places and things that did not. Creating a hybrid between a corporate job focused on an outfit and a speaking life that focuses on the “infit”, or what’s inside of a person was the result.
AZF: What excites you most about being an entrepreneur?
JJ: When you connect with a person, and can be of service to them in some way. Whether I’m encouraging someone in the fitting room or helping motivate someone by sharing my experiences, I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given.
AZF: How do you feel best supported?
JJ: I appreciate encouragement and kind words. Letters, cards and notes sent through the mail are incredibly valuable to me. I love my Foundress family and I have friends, family and a fellowship of like minded individuals that I’m so grateful for. I value being a part of a successful team at Anthropologie Kierland Commons. Being comfortable enough to be vulnerable to others used to be difficult for me, but being transparent has helped save my life.
AZF: What is your “life motto”?
JJ: Kindness is Always in Style
AZF: Describe your perfect Saturday morning.
JJ: I’m a Monday start person, meaning Sunday is my reset day and Saturday my last day working in the fitting room. Saturdays are busy in the retail world and I embrace all that comes with that. Any day on this side of the dirt is a good day, even if it’s spent working. These days I focus less on perfection and more on just being present.
AZF: What motivates you to keep going amidst of the challenges that come with being an entrepreneur?
JJ: Remembering the potential I have to positively impact others. When things are hard I remember the smile of a woman who finally likes how she looks in the mirror or the happy tears of someone who relates to a motivational story or anecdote.
AZF: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a young entrepreneur who is just starting out?
JJ: The hard times don’t last, but the good ones don’t either; so you have to be seeking the good in the world.
Follow Jess on Instagram and LinkedIn
About The Foundress
The Foundress is a creative community of female entrepreneurs established by Coley Arnold and Lindsey Holt, owners of Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market. The women-led networking group currently has over 120 members who receive exclusive access to mentorship from experienced female entrepreneurs and industry leaders; community gatherings that feature expert speakers and the opportunity to connect with like-minded women; as well as monthly Mastermind Groups where members can brainstorm and collaborate together.
Every Friday AZF will spotlight a member of The Foundress and her business in the online series Foundress Fridays. Learn more about The Foundress and join the community at www.foundress.co.
