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

Jenn, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s talk about innovation. What’s the most innovative thing you’ve done in your career?

I am a career photographer… which means that my life is pretty fluid and I get to be creative. I have amazing clients… I have time for myself and those I hold dear. I see the world in silver linings and the glass is always half full.
Four years ago I would have told you that the career you want is achievable with just a few simple steps. I’m here to tell you now that the 3 step process is so 2018. Humbly, I got burned by my own stubbornness.

It all started when I decided to launch a creative business community called Thriv. I was going to be the fearless fire starter who fanned other people’s flames, helping them understand they too can have and do anything … like me!

I was in full on fake-it-until-you-make-it just to prove to the naysayers wrong. Those glass half empty folks who always think you’re “being unrealistic.” You might be picking up on the fact that I don’t really like being told I CAN’T do something. In fact… back then that was a really good way to make me work harder to prove you wrong.

I hired a coach / a marketing strategist / web designer and photographer. I created all kinds of steps and processes for classes and workshops / created a TON of content / hired a podcast producer / I wrote blogs / I went live weekly.

And it looked amazing! I was creating, giving, creating, giving, creating and giving. But nothing was coming back to me. It was like I was throwing sticks, leaves, wood, anything and everything onto a fire in hopes that I would be able to create the ultimate flame that anyone could utilize. Creating their ultimate S’more!  I wanted people to see they could have their s’mores and eat them too!

But the only thing thriving that year was thick clouds of imposter syndrome. It was so obvious I was trying to cultivate the fire all wrong. I couldn’t see that all I needed to do was simply pivot to the other side of the fire. I needed to change my perspective.

Like I told you before… I’m stubborn… so I stayed where I was so I could prove those naysayers wrong. I mean… I told them how I would build the fire. If I did it any differently… they would be right. So I kept throwing things on the fire and that smoke just kept getting thicker and thicker. As resources were running out, fatigue was setting in and the creative flow was lost… the blinding smoke full of angst and frustration was the only thing left. I burnt out. And I was pissed … I really wanted to give people the ultimate fire to create their own “s’mores!”

So I poured that half full glass on what was left of the spark and walked away! I put full focus back on my photography business and started to recover emotionally and financially from energy and investment I funneled into Thriv

Then 2020 happened!

And before all of us was a full-on cloud of fear, worry and everything unknown. And it was an all too familiar feel for me. Only this time it wasn’t my fire to walk away from and there was nowhere to go. Every single one of us was ordered to stay at home.

Without the choice of walking away I was forced to take a step back away and survey my options. I came up with a couple … leave town and ride this beast out with family or stay in Baton Rouge and see how it plays out. Before I could even make a decision, a third option, well, more like an opportunity… fell into my lap. I got a message about a project a photographer started just two days before in Massachusetts. The message was followed up with a strong “Jenn you are the one to bring this to our community?”

The basis of the opportunity was a photographer goes from house to house photographing families from the curb… keeping a safe distance. And instead of paying the photographer, the “ask” was that the families being photographed pay it forward to local businesses and charities of their choice.

Since I already stepped back to clear my head, it was easy to see exactly what I was going to do – pivot away from the fear filled fire and start fanning this spark that was to become The Front Porch Project.

The project and its mission spread quickly. And it wasn’t just families wanting to support this project, it was other photographers, and business owners. We all needed to pivot. We all needed to survive. We all needed to take care of our sanity. And the project had the strength to do this for all of us.

It was the most amazing grass roots “buy local” campaign I have been a part of. There it was this beautiful dance between flames, and we were embracing sweet moments – enjoying our s’mores!

I called 2020 the most craptastic time of my life! Because even though I was having the best year of my career. I was well aware of the trials and struggles happening in our community. I was photographing people who needed the project’s mission as much as I did. Giving people something to look forward to and for a moment forgetting the fears and worries. I do love a good silver lining.

I photographed almost 900 families and over 300 businesses between late March to June in 2020. And to give you something to compare it to, that was more portraits than I photographed in the last eight years of my career. And together with almost 40 other photographers we estimated 1.28 million dollars circulating back into our local communities.

The Porch Project ended up multiplying my livelihood… all while sharing the wealth with others and spreading a beautiful message about just how essential small businesses are to our economy not only during a pandemic but every single day … always.

I was in awe that even though I seemingly worked harder than ever before… I never felt fatigued, I never felt clouded. I never felt the angst, fear or worry again once the project started. Instead I felt fully, appreciated, and grateful I was a part of this community. I was a part of something way bigger than myself.

The 2018 experience showed me how crucial it was to step back when the smoke gets too thick. This not only gave way for an amazing project in 2020 but it ended up bringing me back full circle to my original mission with Thriv and now I am rekindling that fire with a different approach. I am grateful to say I am enjoying the sweet savory joys of stepping into being a Creative Cultivator again!

When we take a step back, we have the opportunity to re-evaluate, we are given a chance to check in and connect to purpose and values and this allows us to clearly assess the best way to pivot. And when we can do this … its not only one person benefiting.. The whole community thrives… and for that I am very grateful.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Jenn Ocken is a creative powerhouse with a lens in one hand and a journal in the other. With over two decades of experience as a photographer, she’s not just capturing moments – she creates visual stories.

For Jenn yes it’s about the moments, but also turning chaos into clarity. With her keen problem-solving skills armed with a graphic arts management degree, she ventured into the world of business early on. Her blend of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit soon had her thriving as a professional photographer with multiple published books, even though she never formally studied photography. Talk about unconventional success!

Jenn’s story took an inspiring twist when she launched her consulting firm, specializing in creative business practices. Drawing from her own experiences, she began guiding others on their path to success. That’s when her love for journaling and strategic planning merged as the ThrivFOCUS tool.

With the ThrivFOCUS tool, Jenn is on a mission to help individuals harmonize their goals, actions, and responsibilities. It’s not just a journal; it’s a transformative companion that empowers you to live a balanced life on your terms.

But Jenn’s journey isn’t just about business – it’s about giving back. In 2020, when the world was grappling with the pandemic, she pioneered The Front Porch Project. Gathering 40+ photographers, they documented 4,000 portraits in just three months, injecting $1.2 million back into their local economy. It was a testament to collective community action.

As the host of the ThrivTALK podcast, Jenn continues to inspire with her interviews and insights and is also a three-time published author.

In Jenn’s world, creative chaos is an opportunity waiting to be seized. Whether she’s behind the camera, consulting with creatives, or cultivating projects, Jenn Ocken is proof that with focus and determination, you can turn visions into reality.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In 2007, I decided to move from Chicago’s bustling, artistically vibrant environment to Baton Rouge, LA. This city, often bypassed by creative minds searching for grander landscapes, posed an unusual allure for me, beckoning me to carve my niche within its folds. The move wasn’t just a change of scenery but a step into uncharted territories of self-discovery and growth. I left behind the comfortable and collaborative creative business I shared with my brothers, venturing into the unknown to explore what I could cultivate independently.
Baton Rouge unexpectedly emerged as a place of solace for me, a community I have grown to deeply appreciate and love. Here, I’ve forged lasting relationships, built a supportive network, and found a clientele that values my work and contribution to their lives. This community and the bonds I’ve nurtured have become integral to my journey and successes. I retrace my steps here to encourage others to live boldly as their authentic, creative selves, sharing their lives and talents to benefit the community around them.
Before embarking on this solo journey, my foundation for supporting myself as a career photographer was well-established. Since 2002, shortly after I finished college, I have worked alongside two of my brothers, who were both adept photographers and profoundly influenced my creativity. Their photography mentorship complemented my business degree, allowing me to intertwine artistic passion with structured processes, tailoring them to my creative endeavors.
Yet despite the comfort of this collaboration, discontent lingered within me. I craved autonomy, a realm where my instincts could flow uninhibited, where my unconventional solutions had the freedom to materialize. I understood the traditional pathways, but my intuition yearned for uncharted ones. I needed the liberty to diverge when my spirit felt the call, respecting my brothers’ approaches but realizing the imperative of my independent exploration.
To this end, I moved south in July 2007, with all my possessions loaded in a small U-Haul and a mere $700 in the bank. I arrived, and I went all-in by purchasing a condo. My decisions were unorthodox, but my commitment was unwavering.
This might have appeared as a leap into the void, but I knew I was equipped with the appropriate tools and a fortified mindset. I was poised to mirror the triumphs achieved with my brothers but under my individual banner.
Fascination with the vibrant culture and rhythmic heartbeat of Louisiana’s music had drawn me to the state multiple times before I moved. A family I had met earlier in my career in Little Rock, AR—even before my move to Chicago—knew about my frequent state visits and requested a photo session during one of my visits. This simple request became a gateway, connecting me with multiple families, particularly in the Baton Rouge area. I discovered a unique and heartfelt appreciation for portrait photography within this community. Once I settled here, I encountered an affection and appreciation for photography throughout Baton Rouge that was different from other experiences in my professional journey.
As I was establishing my business in Baton Rouge, I quickly learned that while skills and a passion for creating are crucial, they still need to complete what I now call the Creative Business Trinity. In the years that followed my move to Baton Rouge, I was missing something that would solidify me as a career photographer with the security and stability that come with it. I had talent, experience, and a solid educational foundation. Still, I needed to have the inherent belief that I was fully prepared and could be successful at living the life I wanted: doing what I love for people I adore and being paid well for it.
My quest thus far had been focused on validation from my family, peers, friends, clients, and the outside world. Because of that, my self-worth was perpetually on trial, leading to continual self-doubt.
· Who was I, the youngest of my siblings, to try to eclipse my brothers in our shared profession?
· How dare I strive to create something monumental?
The journey to realizing I already possessed all I needed was fraught with self-loathing because my path didn’t resonate with the conventional wisdom I had grown up with, nor with my previous conditioning to conform. My uniqueness became a source of contempt. My divergent approaches left me feeling alienated. These internal struggles with self-value and worth overshadowed my instinct, drive, and passion—the forces that had initiated my journey. I became drawn to self-help quick fixes, external validations, and superficial affirmations, losing sight of the ambition that had propelled my journey from Chicago to my solo career.
My physical appearance, marked by weight gain and adult acne, plagued my self-esteem, and I felt adrift in a sea of despair, anger, and confusion, struggling to find solid ground for my recognized professional skills. I perceived the concept of manifestation as a futile pursuit, a cruel joke played on the hopeful.
Then, in 2010, compounding my struggle with self-doubt and questioning, I experienced a profound loss—my father, a mentor, died after battling complications from heart surgery for several months. Amidst the anger and frustration, there was now also profound sorrow and a vacuum left by his departure. At 34, almost a decade into my career, I was at a crossroads, unsure how to proceed. This painful juncture, however, unearthed my latent resilience and became an unexpected beacon, illuminating my true path.
Through the loss of my father, I was brought back to forgiveness and acceptance of self and a renewal of my inherent passion and the intuition that had spurred my journey initially. The realization was revolutionary—Dad was no longer here to be the voice of uplift. My cheerleader was silenced. Now, I was called to be that voice.
In this labyrinth of emotions and existential queries, I realized a pivot was essential, but it would require more than my professional tools and talent; it required rediscovering myself. I yearned to embrace my father’s faith in me, to fill the void his absence had created, and to see the brighter side of situations without his comforting perspective. It was time for self-healing, self-love, and channeling the unconditional affection my father had bestowed on me. Thus began a journey to reconnect with my intuition and rekindle the flame of self-belief that had once spurred my leaps of faith.
Reflecting on my 2007 relocation to Baton Rouge, I realize that the leap of faith was also an escape, a flight toward embracing the final piece of the Creative Business Trinity: total self-trust. Part of me thought I had to “really prove I can be successful on my own,” so I chose a city where many creative people live. This pivotal leap or escape showed me I couldn’t leave my insecurities behind. I had to align them with self-trust. I had to embrace what it meant to be a self-leader.
Do I still believe I need to do things unconventionally? Absolutely! There is so much fun in it! I thrive on the challenge and on finding solutions. But whether I am in Chicago, Dallas, Little Rock, the Gulf Coast, or anywhere else, and with or without my brothers, success is always possible. I just had to trust myself. It took over a decade and a journey sparked by loss and fueled by self-love to understand that the key to a fulfilled life isn’t a location or external validations or my father; it’s unconditional self-love, self-forgiveness, and acceptance. I was beginning to intentionally embrace the essence of a true self-leader. Cultivating the confidence my father had in me.
Since embarking on this odyssey of self-discovery, I’ve delved into myriad resources. As maturity and self-work through therapy and reflective journaling practices became a constant, I gradually unwound the tangles of my soul. Year by year, I dug down to my essence, embraced change, and realized the significance of authenticity and self-truth. I learned to release the desire to conform to external expectations and embrace a balanced existence, aligning my financial aspirations with my life goals and owning my journey with newfound zeal.
Every step I took brought a more profound realization of the need for change, the recognition of harmful patterns, and a commitment to authenticity. I reshaped my existence, letting go of others’ expectations and projections of those expectations to find a new equilibrium. My life became a reflection of my love, a testament to the resilience of my spirit, and a beacon of authentic existence.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Then 2020 rolled around, like a disturbing replay of the turbulent period when my father fell ill and passed away. My burgeoning career stability was now threatened by global upheaval. But there was a fundamental difference: I was now fortified with self-love and had fully embraced the Triad of Creative Entrepreneurship: creative talent, foundational skills and education, and staunch trust in myself. This equilibrium equipped me to face the challenges the pandemic hurled at everyone. It allowed me to identify the serendipitous symmetry of experiencing a pandemic and personal loss in the same months, just a decade apart. While fear and uncertainty about the pandemic clouded my thoughts emotionally, I found solace in stability and focus. It was a time for problem-solving and leaning into the positive aspects of my character. So, when the opportunity knocked for a project that would defy Baton Rouge’s stay-at-home ordinance yet adhere to safety protocols of maintaining more than six feet of distance, I embraced it without hesitation, motivated by the uncertainty and doubts of my entrepreneurial peers.
Questions that haunted all small business owners.
· “Will my business endure?”
· “What lies ahead for my community? My family? My business?”
· “Is pivoting an option? How can I adapt?”
Every entrepreneur’s worst fear had materialized. But drawing on the experience, strategies, networks, and lessons I had accrued, I managed to pivot and, along the way, offer a beacon of support to other local businesses, encouraging them to leverage their unique resources to stay afloat.
We all possess the experience, knowledge, passion, and talents necessary to manifest our visions and adapt to adversity. How we cultivate these resources is crucial. It’s our responsibility to master the chaos, whether it’s an internal struggle or a universal crisis.
The Front Porch Project vividly illustrated this principle, a testament to the power of harnessing one’s inherent strengths and experiences to transform internal chaos into a harmonious dance of purpose and action. It served as a reminder that facing fears, leveraging strengths, and uniting in purpose enables seemingly impossible feats, even amidst unparalleled challenges.
The Front Porch Project was a beacon of hope, an initiative where photographers traversed neighborhoods, taking snapshots of families on their front porches. The families, in return, were encouraged to support local businesses and share their experiences on social platforms, acknowledging both the companies and the photographers involved. Inspiring more than 40 photographers to come together, we captured around 4,000 porch portraits during the three months of the stay-at-home ordinance, infusing an estimated $1.2 million back into our local economy.
The Front Porch Project was a symphony of streamlined processes, an unwavering focus on a unified vision, and a dedication to innovation, guidance, and production. It wasn’t merely an expansion of my role as a photographer; it was a revelation, a transition from capturing moments for my clients to becoming a catalyst for change and empowerment for the community. This journey underscored that mutual support and communal resilience can usher in monumental positive transformations.
This venture was a reminder of the potential inherent in the community, our adaptability, and the power of constructive transformation. It reinforced my faith in the potency of creative endeavor, the seizing of opportunities, and the embrace of metamorphosis.
Cultivating self-love and evolving past ingrained patterns is an ongoing battle that requires my active energy. However, The Front Porch Project was a poignant revelation, a mirror reflecting the truth that I possess all the necessary resources to transcend adversity. This endeavor never invoked feelings of overwhelm or fear. Instead, it became a vessel for my dedication, enabling me to guide other photographers to replicate this initiative within their communities.
My journey with The Front Porch Project in 2020 was about mastering the art of nurturing solutions, balancing energies, and learning when to pause, reflect, and recharge. It showed me how to be resolute in my decisions, even when they don’t align with external expectations, especially when prioritizing actions that serve the collective well-being. Much like the project, my personal progression is intertwined with the rise of the community around me; it’s a dance of empowerment and mutual growth, where employing one’s innate strengths and passions becomes a catalyst for communal elevation.
Yes, I still find myself shedding old habits and learning to delineate boundaries without the shadow of resentment. I’m still practicing letting go of the burdens of blame and choosing self-harmony over preconditioned responses. It’s been a journey with occasional setbacks, the unpacking, and repacking of old baggage, yet also continual growth and an unwavering commitment to moving toward more complete self-love and trust.
The moments of joy and realization make it all worthwhile, serving a purpose larger than myself. Every hardship is a stepping stone toward loving more profoundly and emerging more robustly. Through all this, my father’s spirit continues to be my companion, a reminder of the power of unwavering self-belief and resilience.
This narrative isn’t just a recounting of my personal transformations and realized projects. It’s living proof of the unyielding human spirit and the boundless possibilities that come with collective effort, resilience, and self-trust. It’s a reminder that the quest for self-love and empowerment is always worth taking up, as it is intertwined with our shared journey to mutual uplift and community transformation.
In seeking joy and fulfillment, we can inadvertently contribute to a collective metamorphosis, a legacy far transcending individual existence. And this is what gives life meaning.
My journey from Chicago to Baton Rouge was a transition that marked the beginning of a profound personal and professional metamorphosis. This move was more than a geographical shift; it was a leap into self-discovery and autonomy. In Baton Rouge, I found a nurturing community and a deeper connection with my craft and identity.
Leaving the comfort of a collaborative business with my brothers to pursue an independent path was initially daunting. However, it became evident that this choice was necessary for my growth. Baton Rouge offered an unexpected haven where I established meaningful relationships and found clients who deeply valued my work. This experience taught me the importance of embracing change and the power of community in fostering personal and professional growth.
My journey was challenging. Struggles with self-doubt and the need for external validation often overshadowed my accomplishments. The loss of my father was a harrowing period that forced me to confront my inner turmoil. However, it also sparked a pivotal moment of self-realization and renewal. I learned to replace the quest for external approval with self-love, forgiveness, and acceptance.
The Front Porch Project, initiated during the pandemic, exemplified these lessons. As I guided other photographers in capturing portraits while supporting local businesses, I realized the impact of mutual support and resilience. This project involved photography, empowering a community, and harnessing collective strength in challenging times.
This part of my journey has taught me flow within these impactful lessons:
Welcoming Change: Those daunting shifts in life? They’re actually hidden doors to growth and discovering who you really are. Learning to roll with these changes is critical to evolving.
Community Is Key: Connecting with others and giving back doesn’t just feel good – it’s a game-changer for both personal joy and professional wins.
Finding You in the Chaos: The road to embracing who you are is bumpy, filled with self-doubt and outside noise. It’s all about seeing your story’s worth within the lived experiences and skills.
Loving Yourself First: Here’s the real deal – fulfillment starts from within. Loving who you are and trusting in your strength is crucial to tackling life’s hurdles and genuinely being happy.
Strength in Numbers: The magic happens when we band together, especially in tough times. Together, we’re capable of making big waves of change.
Boldly chase what feels right to you, even off the beaten path. Invest in your relationships and make your mark on the community. But above all, remember that self-acceptance and love aren’t just lovely to have in your back pocket to pull out if needed; they’re the foundation for a life well-lived. By doing this, you’re not just upping your game – you’re part of a more significant growth and positive change movement.

Contact Info:

• Website: jennocken.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivwithjenn/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennOckenCreative
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenn-ocken/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF2cSEBYZhp7LvD5zOLsiLw

Image Credits
TWP_4411 – Taylor Waston Lee JH1_4533.jpg – Jordan Hefler JH1_0906.jpg – Jordan Hefler JH1_4415.jpg – Jordan Hefler IMG_1292.jpg – Jenn Ocken 2JOP_8627 – Jenn Ocken 20200404_frontp-102 – Tim Mueller