We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jenna Haith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jenna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

I am genuinely happy as a business owner, but I’d be lying if I said I never think about what life would look like with a “regular” job. Entrepreneurship is one of those paths where the highs are incredibly high, but the uncertainty can feel very real, very fast.

I remember one specific moment when that thought really crept in. It was during a slower month – no big brand deals on the calendar, fewer client projects than usual, and a lot of quiet inboxes. I was sitting at my kitchen table early in the morning, coffee in hand, laptop open, refreshing my email more times than I’d like to admit. That’s when it hits you. There’s no guaranteed paycheck coming on Friday. No W-2 salary. No one else responsible for bringing in the work except you.

That’s the part of being a business owner that doesn’t get glamorized enough. The freedom is incredible – setting your own rates, choosing when and where you work, and not having someone micromanaging your time. But the trade-off is unpredictability. One week you might make nothing, and the next week you might make more than you ever did at a traditional job. It all depends on timing, opportunities, and how much you’re willing to put yourself out there.

With Sparklight Solutions, my web development and digital marketing agency, I’ve been fortunate that almost all of my clients have come through referrals and word of mouth. That’s been such a blessing and a huge validation of my work. But it also means that when referrals slow down, there’s no built-in pipeline. You have to switch gears quickly, start reaching out, networking, marketing yourself, and trusting that momentum will come back.

Jenna Haith Lifestyle is a completely different kind of business, and in many ways, it’s been the most rewarding. The opportunities I’ve been given through content creation, media appearances, brand partnerships, and community connections are things I never could’ve experienced if I were tied to a traditional 9–5. Being able to take meetings, attend events, film content, or jump on last-minute opportunities during the week is something I don’t take for granted.

So yes, during those slower seasons, I absolutely have moments where I think, “Should I just get a regular job for stability?” But every time I really sit with that question, I come back to the same realization. I don’t think I could give up the freedom, creativity, and ownership that comes with building something that’s mine. The uncertainty is scary at times, but the fulfillment, growth, and alignment with how I want to live my life outweigh the fear.

Entrepreneurship isn’t easy, and it’s not always glamorous, but it’s taught me resilience, confidence, and trust in myself. And every time things pick back up, those moments of doubt turn into reminders of why I chose this path in the first place.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a Kansas City–based entrepreneur, creative, and strategist wearing two hats that complement each other more than most people realize. I’m the Founder and CEO of Sparklight Solutions, a web development and digital marketing agency, and the Founder of Jenna Haith Lifestyle, a lifestyle, beauty, and content platform built around connection, creativity, and real-life experiences.

My path into entrepreneurship wasn’t linear, but it was intentional. I’ve always been both analytical and creative, and early on I realized I didn’t want to choose between the two. I started in web development and digital marketing because I saw how many businesses had great ideas but struggled to translate them into an effective online presence. Websites were clunky, messaging was unclear, and marketing efforts weren’t connected to real business goals. I taught myself how to bridge that gap, not just by building websites, but by understanding how people actually move through them.

That mindset became the foundation of Sparklight Solutions. We specialize in web development, digital marketing, e-commerce optimization, analytics, and brand infrastructure, primarily for small to mid-sized businesses. I work closely with clients to build websites that don’t just look good, but function as revenue-driving tools. That includes everything from UX strategy and conversion-focused design to SEO, analytics tracking, payment integrations, and long-term scalability.

One thing that truly sets Sparklight Solutions apart is how relationship-driven the business is. Almost all of my clients have come through referrals and word of mouth. I don’t rely heavily on traditional marketing because my focus has always been delivering work that people trust enough to recommend. I’m not interested in one-off projects. I care about understanding a client’s business deeply, so I can help them make smarter decisions long-term, not just “check a box” with a website launch.

At the same time, Jenna Haith Lifestyle grew organically out of my own life and interests. What started as sharing beauty, lifestyle, and personal experiences evolved into a full-fledged brand centered on relatability, confidence, and community. Through content creation, brand partnerships, media appearances, and events, I’ve been able to connect with audiences in a very real way. I talk about beauty, dating, wellness, personal growth, and navigating adulthood honestly, without pretending everything is perfect.

What I love most about Jenna Haith Lifestyle is that it’s not aspirational in a distant, untouchable way. It’s real. It’s built on showing up consistently, being transparent, and creating content that actually resonates with people’s everyday lives. I’ve had opportunities to work with incredible brands, appear on local television, collaborate with businesses, and be part of events that I simply wouldn’t have access to if I were in a traditional job.

What connects both of my businesses is trust. Whether I’m building a website or creating content, I care deeply about integrity, quality, and alignment. I want clients, partners, and followers to know that I don’t cut corners, I don’t overpromise, and I don’t create just to create. Everything I do is intentional.

What I’m most proud of is building two brands that are entirely my own, from the ground up, without shortcuts. I’ve created a career that allows me to be flexible, creative, and impactful, while also helping others grow their businesses and feel more confident in theirs. I want potential clients and followers to know that behind the content, the websites, and the collaborations is someone who genuinely cares about doing good work, building meaningful relationships, and creating something sustainable, not just successful on paper.

At the end of the day, my work is about connection. Connecting businesses to their customers, connecting brands to real people, and connecting creativity with strategy in a way that actually works.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building my audience on social media was never about chasing virality or following a formula. It happened slowly and organically by showing up as myself and letting people see the real person behind the content.

When I first started posting, I didn’t have a big strategy or content calendar. I was simply talking about what I knew – beauty, lifestyle, dating, confidence, and everyday moments that people don’t always see shared honestly online. Over time, I became more comfortable on camera and started speaking directly to my audience, almost like I was talking to a friend. That shift made a huge difference. People don’t want to feel talked at – they want to feel seen.

What really helped my growth was leaning into relatability. I shared wins, struggles, funny moments, and real opinions instead of trying to curate a “perfect” image. I focused on giving people something they could take away from each post, whether that was a helpful tip, a new perspective, a laugh, or something they felt compelled to send to a friend and say, “This is so us.”

I also learned that being comfortable in front of the camera isn’t about being flawless – it’s about being confident enough to be human. Some of my best-performing content has been filmed casually, with no heavy production, just honest conversation. When people can sense authenticity, they stick around.

For anyone just starting to build their social media presence, my biggest advice is to stop trying to sound like everyone else. Your personality is the differentiator. Talk to your audience, not at them. Share stories, not just content. And always ask yourself, “Why would someone care about this?” If it educates, entertains, validates, or sparks conversation, you’re on the right track.

Consistency matters, but authenticity matters more. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, but when you focus on connection instead of numbers, the audience builds itself.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Yes, Jenna Haith Lifestyle started as a side hustle and naturally evolved into my main career over time. It actually began during COVID as a creative outlet. At the time, everything felt uncertain, and I wanted a space to document my experiences, share stories, and stay connected. What started as a simple blog became a way for me to process life, talk about beauty, lifestyle, and everyday experiences in Kansas City, and connect with people who felt the same way.

In the beginning, it was purely a blog. I focused on writing relatable content and sharing personal experiences, and I still publish articles weekly to this day. As I started sharing those posts and my day-to-day life on social media, the audience grew organically. People resonated with the honesty and the local perspective. I wasn’t trying to be an influencer – I was just being myself and showing up consistently.

A major turning point came when local businesses started noticing and inviting me to events, openings, and experiences around Kansas City. Those early invitations were big milestones because they validated that the brand was becoming more than just a personal project. Each event led to new connections, and each connection led to another opportunity. That network effect played a huge role in scaling the brand.

Over time, Jenna Haith Lifestyle evolved into a strong social media presence and a public-facing personal brand. Through consistent content, community engagement, and relationship-building, I began collaborating with brands, attending VIP events, and appearing in media opportunities. The growth didn’t come from one viral moment, but from showing up, meeting people, learning from others, and staying open to new experiences.

What really scaled the brand was connection. Being willing to talk to people, support other businesses, and build genuine relationships created momentum that no algorithm hack ever could. Each phase built on the last, and before I knew it, what started as a side hustle had turned into a full-time career rooted in creativity, community, and consistency.

Looking back, the biggest lesson is that growth doesn’t always happen fast, but when it’s organic and relationship-driven, it’s sustainable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jennahaithlifestyle.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennahaithlifestyle/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennaHaithLifestyle
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-haith/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JennaHaith
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn26Y5PYe2lH-57VqX_bHaw
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennahaithlifestyle