We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Manfre recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jessica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories 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?
Running the Inspire Up Foundation alongside my three other partners has been the greatest blessing I’ve ever experienced. Here, we pour our passion to create impact in the world.
I can’t even imagine having a “regular job” again, honestly. From managing the nonprofit to freelancing as a writer and Case Manager for the Coast Guard relief organization, my time and projects are determined by me. I love the ability to control my work schedule! My two children are 11 and 5, which means I am so much more present than I could be if I was working the typical 9-5 job. I’m also happier, too.
The only time I contemplate switching to a more traditional role is when I miss interactions with others. Since my day consists of zoom meetings, it can get tiring at times. But within my roles comes frequent travel opportunities to events, giving me that connection I’m craving.
My assumption is that everyone always contemplates the grass being greener on the other side. For me, self employment has been a gift and one I don’t intend to waste, especially as my children grow.
Jessica, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I began freelance writing in the summer of 2019, as I finished my graduate studies. My master’s is in social work, I imagined I’d find a full-time role as a therapist. Though I did do that for a year, I found that it wasn’t what I’d hoped. Instead I became self-employed, freelancing for multiple publications and doing casework part-time.
I’m proud of the ability to pivot and build a brand — myself. We’re taught from an early age to go to college and get a good job. Entrepreneurship needs to also be an option discussed and highlighted!
In February of 2020, we launched our nonprofit — the Inspire Up Foundation. The organization was designed to stand in the gap for the military and first responder communities. I think what sets us apart is our commitment to each other as a team to each other and the mission. We also set achievable and then “big dream” goals for initiatives and programs, which allows us to see traction but never get down on ourselves if certain things take longer. The end result is always to make a difference — and we do.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
There are four of us running the Inspire Up Foundation. We met through the Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year program. I was chosen as the 2019 Coast Guard Spouse of the Year and the others, for their prospective military branches. This meant we all already had a background in advocacy, a drive to create impact and the work ethic to get it done. Though our professional backgrounds vary, we bring it all full circle in what we do for our nonprofit and it’s incredible.
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
Our initial funding or sponsorships of programs came through relationship building, a key factor in fundraising. Our first year we only brought in around $45,000 — still pretty great for a brand new nonprofit! By the second year it was $160,000.
The importance of working together with others and honing in on genuine relationships can’t be overstated. It’s what has brought us to where we are today!
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.inspireupfoundation.org
- Instagram: InspireUpFdtn
- Facebook: InspireUpFdtn
- Twitter: InspireUpFdtn