We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jenna Cantwell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jenna below.

Jenna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

As an entrepreneur, my journey has been nothing short of exhilarating. Every day presents new challenges, opportunities, and discoveries. In the realm of business ownership, happiness is often intertwined with the pursuit of passion and the freedom to help job seekers across the nation. I’d love to share my personal reflection n the joys of entrepreneurship and when I last contemplated the idea of a traditional job.

Being a business owner has been a source of immense joy and satisfaction, offering a level of fulfillment that surpasses any traditional employment experience. I have the freedom to turn my passions into a sustainable business. This alignment between my interests and professional pursuits has fostered a sense of purpose and invigorated my drive. The ability to wake up each day and engage in work that resonates with my core values while positively changing the lives of others is truly empowering. I can’t deny that from time to time I don’t think about what it would be like to have a traditional job again. It has been over five years since I have worked in a traditional office environment and although I don’t miss it 99% of the time, I can’t help but think about it from time to time. Entrepreneurship is not without its challenges but the rewards far outweigh any fleeting thoughts of a conventional career.

The last time I thought about a “regular job” was a couple of months ago when times were tougher than usual. Part of being a business owner means receiving inconsistent pay and every once in a while, you wonder if the financial stress that comes and goes in waves is worth it, primarily when you often work more hours at home than you would for someone else. However, upon reflection, I always realize that these doubts are merely natural phases in the entrepreneurial roller coaster. The resilience and passion that brought me to this point quickly overshadowed any doubts. I recognized that a “regular job” would not provide me with the benefits of entrepreneurship that I love so much, including freedom and the gift of spending time with my kids every single day.

As I reflect upon my own journey, I am confident that I am genuinely happy as a business owner! The ability to shape my own destiny, pursue my passions, and impact the lives of others through my entrepreneurial endeavors is a reward that far surpasses the allure of a traditional job.

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.

I am the owner and sole operator of Cantwell Career Coaching, a career fulfillment service provider. With a background in professional services and a certification as a career coach, I leverage my expertise to help clients excel in their job search process and achieve their professional goals. As a former recruiter and staffing manager, I bring a unique perspective to my work, understanding the intricacies of the hiring process and what it takes to stand out in a competitive market.

At Cantwell Career Coaching, I offer comprehensive services designed to empower individuals in their career journey. These services include expert resume writing, targeted cover letters, and LinkedIn profile optimizations to help clients showcase their skills and experiences effectively. Recognizing the need for a personalized approach, I developed a luxury VIP package for growth-minded professionals with busy lifestyles. This package encompasses all aspects of professional branding, job search kickstarts, targeted strategy calls for interview preparation, salary negotiations, and job search support.

My expertise extends beyond individual coaching services. I also collaborate with corporations and organizations, providing consultancy work to curate or enhance resumes, bios, and profiles of executive team members in alignment with company-branded proposals and websites.

Beyond my professional pursuits, I find joy in spending time at home with my two young children. I also nurture a love for travel and adventure, crafting/woodworking, creating digital products, relishing in Maryland cuisine featuring crab, listening to live music, and playing with my beloved furbabies.

With my deep understanding of the power of storytelling in the job search process, I strive to empower my clients to craft resumes that not only impress hiring managers and recruiters but also tell their unique career stories. By blending visual appeal, keyword optimization, and a personalized touch, I ensure that every resume truly stands out. My passion for helping individuals achieve career fulfillment shines through my dedicated work at Cantwell Career Coaching. With my guidance, clients gain the confidence and tools needed to navigate the ever-evolving job market and secure their dream positions.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building an audience on social media can be a powerful tool for entrepreneurs, but my journey has taken a slightly different path. To be transparent, I don’t have a large following on social media. With less than 500 followers on Instagram and even fewer on Facebook, I have not fully embraced platforms like TikTok, and my experience with Twitter was short-lived. However, my belief in the power of social media remains unwavering. I have witnessed countless entrepreneurs achieve remarkable success through these platforms. While I may not be one of those individuals, I have found other avenues to connect with my audience.

LinkedIn is the only social platform that has been a significant driver of client generation for me. Although I don’t post frequently on this platform, I engage in conversations and share valuable resources. By adding value to discussions and providing insightful content, I have been able to connect with professionals seeking career fulfillment.

On IG and FB, I post sporadically, aiming to educate and provide free resources to my small but loyal audience. My goal is to inspire them, encourage regular career reflection, help them understand their worth, and navigate the ever-changing job market.

Despite my limited social media presence, a substantial portion of my clients come through referrals or repeat clients (68% of my business in 2022). I attribute this success to my unwavering focus on ensuring each client feels heard, supported, and satisfied after partnering with me. This commitment to exceptional service organically generates new business and fosters conversions. Similar to hiring managers who are more likely to hire someone who was referred, clients referred to a business/brand are also more inclined to purchase services.

It’s important to acknowledge that every business is unique, and while some thrive solely through social media, my personal experience has led me to a different approach. At this stage of my business, I have found that exerting excessive effort into social media is not the most effective use of my time or resources. After exploring various social strategies over the past year, I have come to the realization that a smaller social presence aligns just fine with my business. It allows me to establish brand credibility for new audiences while providing valuable career content and tips to my existing audience.

Building a social media following is not the sole path to success. By focusing on client satisfaction, fostering referrals, and delivering exceptional service, I have been able to grow my business organically. While social media plays a role in my overall strategy, my emphasis on building meaningful relationships and delivering value has been the driving force behind my client acquisition and business growth.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Pivoting is an essential aspect of personal and professional growth, allowing individuals to adapt to unexpected circumstances and navigate new paths. I’d love to share a transformative story that exemplifies a significant pivot in my life – one that impacted both my business and career, and most importantly, my role as a parent.

A few days after Thanksgiving in 2022, my then two-year-old son experienced a sudden loss of mobility, leaving us shocked and concerned. After multiple hospital visits and a diagnosis of acute cerebellar ataxia, we faced the reality of our son’s temporary condition. It was a challenging time that compelled us to make a difficult decision: withdrawing our two children from Pre-K/daycare due to the constant illnesses and financial strain it imposed. Spoiler: my son is a perfectly healthy, active little boy now! The condition only lasted two weeks but it was still critical to try and keep him healthy for multiple reasons.

While prioritizing my family’s well-being was unquestionably the right choice, this pivot had a significant impact on my business and career aspirations. I had invested substantial time and effort into mapping out ambitious growth plans, partnering with a business coach, and preparing to elevate my business to new heights.

However, the sudden transition to becoming a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) while navigating my business proved more daunting than anticipated. Acceptance became the key hurdle during the initial month. I tried to overcompensate by meticulously planning detailed schedules, even though I knew it wouldn’t align with our family’s needs or my ADHD tendencies. It was a misguided attempt to emulate what I believed other SAHM and business owners were doing.

Realizing the flaw in my approach, I finally accepted that my new reality required a different mindset and strategy. I recognized that success would come from aligning my business operations with my unique circumstances and personal strengths. I redefined work-life integration by shortening my client call blocks, as well as streamlined priorities and embraced the moments of joy. Recognizing the value of cherishing the constant yet precious moments with my children, I intentionally created space for joyful interactions and play. This not only fostered a stronger bond within our family but also provided me with the inspiration and rejuvenation necessary to excel in my career.

The story of my pivot highlights the transformative power of accepting change and adapting to new circumstances. By stepping back and embracing a more balanced approach, I discovered that growth doesn’t always mean pushing forward relentlessly. Sometimes, true growth lies in finding harmony and prioritizing what truly matters.

In moments of uncertainty, remember that embracing change can lead to unexpected opportunities for self-discovery and success. It’s the ability to pivot, adapt, and redefine the path that ultimately fuels resilience and propels us toward a brighter future.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cantwellcareercoaching.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cantwellcareercoaching
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cantwellcareercoaching
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cantwell-career-coaching

Image Credits
Image credit to Jessica Linzey