Jen A. Miller Consulting

Category: Bios

Toast of the Town | Jessy Fofana

An interview with Jessy Fofana |Founder |La Rue PR

Jessy Fofana has the kind of story that entrepreneur dreams are made of. Her first company, Femme Arsenal, (yes, she’s had more than one) was born almost by accident. What started off as a fun hobby whipping up beauty products in her kitchen turned into Jessy’s first enterprise which she built and sold all by age 27. Coming off that success Jessy went on to found her second company, La Rue PR.

The La Rue website describes the company as a project “born out of Jessy’s love for finding emerging designers and amazing indie retailers to help them realize their full potential and achieve success. Together with her LaRue PR team, Jessy’s strategy is to bring attention to each client by targeting media in regional, national and international markets to create the kind of take-notice, multi-faceted publicity campaign that delivers brand-changing buzz and media exposure. From brand development and marketing to traditional and new media relations services, LaRue PR provides the skill and experience of a large agency with the creativity, singular attention and affordability that can only be offered by a boutique firm.” – (c/o http://www.laruepr.com/about.html)

In our interview together Jessy talks about the entrepreneurial journey she’s traveled. Watch now to learn her story and catch her advice for landing your own PR success.

Want to catch more great advice from women like Jessy? Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to the The Jam weekly newsletter. Every week I’ll be delivering exclusive interviews, the best advice from around the web, tools and resources to help you build your business, listings of the must-attend the conferences and events, and much more!

A toast to you and Jessy too,

Jen

October 26, 2016
Toast of the Town | Hilary Sloan

Director of Business Development | Shop Style

I met Hilary Sloan at this year’s Create & Cultivate – a conference designed for female entrepreneurs in the digital space. Her outfit was on point and she looked every bit the part of a fearless woman rising the ranks in the fashion world. Not to my surprise, her savvy extended far beyond her flawless leather jack.

As we got on with our interview, Hilary shared how she made her way to the role of Director of Business Development for ShopStyle, the e-commerce arm of the hugely popular site PopSugar. Would you be surprised to learn that the journey started with a position in the U.S. government’s department of Homeland Security? You can bet I was. She also talked candidly about the challenges that came along the way including being told that she would never get a job in fashion.We also get the insider scoop on her Insta-famous dog Ella Bean and where the idea behind her account came from.

If you’re looking for an example of a women who knew her passion and followed it with all of her heart, look no further than Hillary. And for anyone who’s wondering if that crazy career change is possible this is an interview not to be missed. Hilary is a true example of the power of perseverance and a creative talent to be admired.

Watch our full interview now to hear her story and catch her advice for all with a dream they’re after.

Watch our full interview now to hear her story and catch her advice for all with a dream they’re after.

Want to catch more great advice from women like Hilary Sloan? Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to the The Jam weekly newsletter. Every week I’ll be delivering exclusive interviews, the best advice from around the web, tools and resources to help you build your business, listings of the must-attend the conferences and events, and much more!

A toast to you and Hilary too,

Jen

October 19, 2016
The Talent Manager | Allison Statter

Allison Statter, Blended Strategy Group

Chances are you’ve never heard of Allison Statter or her business Blended Strategy Group and there’s a reason for that. Despite being BFFs to some of, correction, THE most, famous celebs, Allison has purposefully shied from the spotlight. She is a woman humble and gracious to her very core, qualities that make her not only irresistible but also an incredible entrepreneur.

Allison has spent the past 16 years building her career in the entertainment industry. When she met her business partner Sherry Jhawar, the former Global Head of Marketing for Eos Products, the two knew there was an opportunity for them to create something special. Together they founded Blended Strategy Group (BSG), a little known company that manages well know talent including the Kardashians & Jenners, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Chelsea Handler, Jon Bon Jovi, Gwen Stefani and Nicole Scherzinger.

Blended provides comprehensive commercial, marketing and branding consultation to its clients, which include high profile and high growth celebrities and brands. By circumventing typical talent agencies and corporate red tape to make direct connections between brand and talent management their clients benefit from a better strategic fit, cost savings and high touch service.

I was lucky enough to catch Allison at this year’s Create & Cultivate conference and find some time to ask her about her new endeavor. Watch our interview below to learn more about how she started her business and her best advice for starting your own!

Interested in learning more about Allison’s entrepreneurial journey and catching more of her advice for rising entrepreneurs? You’ll want to make sure you SUBSCRIBE to the The Jam weekly newsletter. Every week I’ll be delivering interviews and advice from entrepreneurs like Allison straight to your inbox including videos reserved just for those in the Toast Meets Jam fam!

A toast to you and Allison too,

Jen

June 27, 2016
The Conference Creator | Create & Cultivate

Jaclyn Johnson, Create & Cultivate

Image credit: Darling Magazine

One year ago I found myself suffering from serious FOMO. My Instagram feed was blowing up with pictures of this amazing conference, (yes I just put the words amazing and conference together) and I couldn’t believe I hadn’t known about it. What was this event that had me cursing my luck? Create & Cultivate – a conference designed for female entrepreneurs in the digital space. And the creative genius behind the event, none other than Jaclyn Johnson.

Jaclyn is like the girl boss of girl bosses. She knows what we want – Instagram worthy spaces, inspiring female voices, a way to connect with other girls like us – and has served it up to us in a way we couldn’t have even imaged was possible. And we aren’t the only ones taking notice of this toast of the town. Jaclyn has been named Forbes 30 Under 30, A Woman of Note by the Wall Street Journal and 25 most stylish Angelenos by StyleCaster just for starters.

During this year’s event I made sure my FOMO was no more and made sure I was in attendance at Create & Cultivate’s Los Angeles event. Lucky for me, not only did I get to attend but I also had the chance to interview many of the women entrepreneurs and presenters there including Jaclyn. Check out our interview below for her success story and best advice!

Interested in learning more about Jaclyn’s entrepreneurial journey and catching more of her advice for rising entrepreneurs? You’ll want to make sure you SUBSCRIBE to the The Jam weekly newsletter. Every week I’ll be delivering interviews and advice from entrepreneurs like Jaclyn straight to your inbox including videos reserved just for those in the Toast Meets Jam fam!

A toast to you and Jaclyn too,

Jen

June 13, 2016
Meet Lindsey Heisser | Co-Founder & Managing Director of Tribemint

Lindsey Heisser is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Tribemint, a branding and digital communications agency dedicated to helping companies connect with Millennials through inspired vision, culture and engagement.

We met at Tarte Restaurant, a hip American diner with a country twist, located inside the Farmer’s Daughter Hotel – a client of Tribemint’s. We tucked into a booth on Tarte’s poolside patio and Lindsey filled me in on her experience as a female founder.

Becoming an Entrepreneur

So how do you go from corporate climber to entrepreneur? Lindsey shares how and why she took the leap.

Starting Your Business

Knowing where to start is often the hardest part. Lindsey shares her advice on the first steps to take when launching your business.

Facing the Challenges

Entrepreneurship doesn’t come without it’s challenges. Lindsey shares how she faces the ones that come her way.

Personal Traits for Success

Lindsey talks about which of her personal traits she believes have made her a successful entrepreneur.

Confidence, Super Powers, & Champagne

Lindsey takes on The Jam Jar and divulges what makes her feel confident, the super power she wishes she could have, and what her favorite drink is to toast.

More About Lindsey

Lindsey is the Managing Director of TRIBEMINT specializing in campaign ideation and execution, marketing and communication strategy and technology development. Heisser brings her entrepreneurial spirit and innate curiosity of today’s trends to deliver TRIBEMINT’S clients with fully integrated campaigns turning consumers into brand loyalists.

Prior to joining TRIBEMINT, Heisser was Director of Marketing at The Regan Group, a consumer engagement agency entrenched in entertainment and consumer packaged goods industries. It was during her 5-year tenure at the agency, Lindsey Heisser met, TRIBEMINT’s CEO, Julie Thorne Engels, and together they shaped the company culture and drove the agency’s most profitable years in business. (Source: Tribemint)

Follow Tribemint at:

Web: tribemint.com

Twitter: @tribemint

Facebook: facebook.com/tribemint

A Toast to you and Lindsey too,

Jen

July 15, 2015