Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Carey.

Hi Jill, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

From the kid who talked too much in class, never the best grades, but always in Gifted & Talented programs to where I am today, my journey has been anything but traditional.

I started college without a clear direction. Well, actually, I wanted to be a hairdresser, but my dad strongly advised against it. So, I followed my friends to a university for a semester, quickly realized it wasn’t for me, and withdrew. I spent the next year working temp jobs, bouncing between different industries, and even discovering the internet for the first time, where I, of course, went on a shopping spree.

Eventually, I enrolled in my local community college for marketing while working as a receptionist at a hair salon. One of the clients needed someone good with computers and marketing & that was me. Little did I know, that opportunity would launch my career in the mortgage industry.

Over the next 27 years, I immersed myself in every facet of the business, contributing to hundreds of thousands of transactions totaling tens of billions of dollars. But everything changed when my father became gravely ill. I stepped away from work for two weeks to focus entirely on his recovery. When I returned, my perspective had completely shifted. Life was too short to spend in endless meetings or behind a desk working for someone else. I needed to live, like REALLY live. So, I took a severance package and, for the first time since I was 14, I didn’t work. It was surreal. I had always operated from a mindset of what I needed to do, never what I wanted to do. That’s when I embraced a new mantra: Do Good. Be Good. For six months, I focused on truly experiencing life, and it was transformative.

Eventually, I returned to the mortgage industry as a Loan Originator, knowing it was the worst market I had ever seen but also understanding that markets are cyclical. I worked hard, closed a few loans but I wasn’t alive, I wasn’t excited, I wasn’t challenged. Then, somewhere in the middle of it all, my true passion surfaced, and The Northshore, Nice People of the Northshore was born. It brought me back to the marketing path I had started on before my mortgage detour, and I finally felt aligned with my purpose again.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Absolutely not and I wouldn’t change a thing. Every experience is either a lesson or a blessing and only you can decide how you grow from it. One of the biggest lies they tell you as a kid is that life is easy. It’s not. Life is a series of challenges and struggles, sprinkled with some highlights. The key to navigating both the good and the bad is gratitude, appreciating what you have, staying teachable, and being kind. And above all, your health is everything. Without it, nothing else matters.
Every challenge I’ve faced has shaped me, pushed me, and ultimately led me to where I am today. The road wasn’t smooth, but it was worth it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

The Northshore isn’t just my home, it’s my dream realized. For years, I toyed with the idea of creating a brand that truly speaks to and serves this community that means so much to me. If you have spent time on the Northshore, you get it – it’s a place like no other. Salty, a little rough around the edges, yet undeniably beautiful and welcoming. And now, it’s our time to shine.

More than just a beach brand, The Northshore is the essence of a vibrant coastal lifestyle. Founded in 2024, we’re dedicated to creating the softest, most comfortable apparel that captures the true spirit of beach living. From salty ocean breezes to those perfect golden-hour moments when the air shifts – ”The Northshore has your back. I spent countless hours sourcing exceptional fabrics that offer the perfect weight & quality.

But The Northshore is more than just fashion it’s a community. We celebrate a shared love for the beach, the ocean, and the lifestyle that comes with it. It took a lot of grit to get here, but I couldn’t be more thrilled to share this journey with you. So many of you have offered ideas, feedback, and support – this brand is a labor of love and gratitude.

Join us as we unveil exclusive, limited-edition drops, inviting you to experience not just the unmatched softness of our fabrics but also the authentic energy behind each piece. Welcome to The Northshore, where the sun meets the sand!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nicepeopleofthenorthshore.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicepeopleofthenorthshore/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicepeopleofthenorthshore

Image Credits

Aura Photography, Kate Mackey