We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jeannelle Douglas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jeannelle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
HER Lounge was born out of a simple, yet powerful idea. During Women’s Month at PVM Magazine, I wanted to create something special that celebrated women’s contributions across various industries. At first, I thought it would just be a feature for the month that placed a spotlight on the incredible things women were doing. But once the stories started pouring in, I thought, ‘Why should this just be a one-month thing?’
These women were breaking barriers and shaking things up, and I wanted to keep that energy going. The logic behind HER Lounge being an ongoing series felt right. Women are trailblazing all year round, and I wanted to provide a platform that amplified those voices and achievements in a meaningful way.
The excitement came from seeing the impact these stories had on readers. Knowing I could offer a space that was both inspiring and empowering made me even more passionate about it. It wasn’t just filling a gap—it was creating a community, a place where women could see themselves and feel celebrated. That’s what convinced me this was a good and necessary idea.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
As the co-founder of Brandstormr, a boutique digital marketing agency, I thrive on bringing a visionary approach to every project we take on. I love making waves in the content marketing world!
My expertise goes beyond just creating content. I’m passionate about generating media coverage, crafting compelling pitches, and building strategic relationships that really elevate visibility and brand awareness.
My creative journey has taken me through a variety of industries, from travel and entertainment to healthcare and smart home automation. I take pride in my ability to tailor content that resonates with diverse audiences, which speaks to my versatility and deep understanding of the digital landscape.
Before launching Brandstormr, I co-founded Pitch Vault Media, a public relations agency that eventually blossomed into PVM Magazine. This online platform became a go-to source for entertainment, music, lifestyle, and news. One of my proudest achievements was creating “Her Lounge,” a special section dedicated to spotlighting trailblazing women across different industries. This initiative reflects my passion for amplifying women’s voices and celebrating their achievements.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Years ago, I found myself working as a call center representative, and honestly, it wasn’t a job I enjoyed at all. Day in and day out, I felt stuck in a role that didn’t resonate with my passions or ambitions. After some soul-searching, I realized I needed to make a change. That’s when I decided to explore something completely different, and that was writing.
Taking that leap was daunting, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. I landed my first writing gig with Examiner.com, which opened the door to a world of opportunities. From there, I started writing for various media platforms and creating content for blogs. Each new assignment brought me more excitement and fulfillment. I also enjoyed some brief moments as a podcast host.
That pivot taught me the importance of following my passion and being open to change. It was a challenging transition, but it ultimately led me to a career I love.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One of the most notable moments in my journey that truly illustrates my resilience happened when I was starting from the ground up in my career. I knew that to be successful, I needed to take on additional responsibilities and push myself beyond my comfort zone. That experience taught me that with determination and a willingness to adapt, you can rise above any challenge.
Contact Info:
- Website: Brandstormr.com, pvmmagazine.com
- Instagram: Brandstormr, pvmmagazine
- Facebook: Brandstormr, pvmmagazine
