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

Jenny, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

I landed my first client by following up on a really old RFP, or Request for Proposal, that was shared with a network of operations managers I’m a part of. I was still at the point of trying to figure out how to find a client that was outside my immediate network, and figured it couldn’t hurt to see if this business had filled the position, even if the RFP was months old. I drafted a really great response and sent it off, but not really expecting anything to come of it.

As it turns out, the company had yet to fill the role of an operations manager, and they invited me to a couple of interviews with the founders and a key leader in their business. We had great conversations and I had big ideas on how to help refine and streamline their business operations and drive them towards their bigger long-term goals.

After they signed my proposal for full-service operations management, it felt unreal. I was so excited I landed my first big client just by walking them through my experience and the projects I wanted to tackle with them. It was a LONG process (as the founders had been burned by poor service providers in the past), but it was all worth it!

Jenny, 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?

Of course! I am a business operations manager and consultant for coaches, agencies, and online service providers. I have been lucky to work with amazing clients that also refer to me as their in-house COO, Integrator to their Visionary, and even their business therapist.

What sets me apart from others in the operational space is that I spent over eight years in various corporate functions, from finance, supply chain management, operations, and product marketing, and acquired deep insights into the inner workings of successful Fortune 500 companies.

With my wealth of corporate experience, I now leverage my expertise in streamlined systems, data-driven decision-making, and strategic planning to transform founders and small business owners from scattered and overwhelmed to focused, profitable, and balanced.

I work with my clients in a variety of ways from DIY to fully done-for-you services. I offer 90-day quarterly planning sessions, system and operations audits, project management system builds in Asana or ClickUp, and full-service operations management and consulting.

I’m most proud of helping my clients find more balance in their lives from juggling a growing business and having time for themselves and their families. I think the main thing I really help my clients with is untangling the way their business operates so that it doesn’t run their lives. I am all about finding a balance between freedom and building a sustainable business.

Any advice for managing a team?

After seeing the behind-the-scenes of so many different teams and businesses, I would have to say you need to build and foster a culture of empowerment and transparency. What this means to me is you want to foster open and transparent communication within the team so that everyone feels comfortable speaking up. Everyone should be very clear on their goals and expectations and how that impacts the bigger picture PLUS they need to be comfortable with owning their roles. Building this type of culture is not an overnight thing, but from the leader effectively communicating expectations and their vision.

Maintaining high morale will come naturally as long as you’re listening to your team, and trusting them with ownership of their responsibilities. You’re going to have to recognize them when you see the fruition of their hard work through sharing wins, results, and changes directly made by the team. I think positivity and appreciation goes a long way in creating a high morale team environment rather than complaining and being negative about performance.

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

After graduating college, I ventured into the corporate world, beginning my career in finance. However, my passion for making a more hands-on impact on the business led me to make a pivot into supply chain management. From there I got promoted as a product marketing manager, but quickly burnt out from the corporate world.

Recognizing the need for a mental break, I initially planned a brief pause before the pandemic disrupted those plans. This unforeseen circumstance became the catalyst for my pivot and then my journey into entrepreneurship as I decided to establish my own business.

The pandemic brought about many shifts, and personally, it helped me slow down and recognize what I actually needed to do to build and live more sustainably.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jennymjones.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennymjones_/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennymjones-/
• Other: https://www.jennymjones.com/services-guide

Image Credits
Breanna Kuhlmann Lifestyle Photography | BKLP