Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jess Dowd. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jess, appreciate you joining us today. Often the greatest growth and the biggest wins come right after a defeat. Other times the failure serves as a lesson that’s helpful later in your journey. We’d appreciate if you could open up about a time you’ve failed.

My failure story is actually my current state and is becoming the driving force behind a huge pivot I am in the middle of that I feel is going to be the ultimate course correct for my business. Over the past 2 years I have started and built a fairly successful product based business called Modern Lifestyle Gifts. It is a line of drinkware items and accessories with inspirational sayings for women and was born from my struggles with post partum depression. My signature products were my 16oz and 25oz Glass Tumblers and I sold close to 10,000 of these in both the retail and wholesale spaces. At the same time as starting my business as a creative outlet to cope with my post partum depression I also started doing DIY Home Design projects in our newly renovated home and learning how to use power tools and bring beautiful spaces to life gave me renewed strength and empowerment in a way I never thought possible. As I come to a crossroads in my business and need to decide whether it’s time to infest further in Modern Lifestyle Gifts or move towards something that is calling my heart and honestly has been for a very long time. This is where Girl, Do It Yourself is born. The Girl, Do It Yourself Podcast launched the week after Thanksgiving and is my first step in building a community and teaching other women the power of DIY through my online course The DIY Home Design Lab. This new venture and this new journey feel more aligned with my true self and I am so excited for what the future holds!

Jess, 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?

My name is Jess and I am a 34 year old mom to 3 boys 6 and under. After my oldest was born I left my Air Force career in Intelligence to become a stay at home Mom. It was at this time that my entrepreneurial story began as I started blogging, influencing and content creating. I eventually spent time as a social media manager for a large entertainment and food venue before starting my own product based business. After my 3rd son was born I struggled with post partum depression which led me to needing a productive and creative outlet which led to my business Modern Lifestyle Gifts, an inspirational line of drinkware and accessories. The chapter for Modern Lifestyle Gifts is coming to a close but what it is opening the door to is going to be even greater! My new podcast Girl, Do It Yourself Podcast where I inspire, encourage and teach other women how to use DIY and home design to find strength and personal growth while doing the hard things in all aspect of life. My online course The DIY Home Design Lab will be available in early 2024!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience is the core of entrepreneurial journey and I think you would be hard pressed to find a business owner who hasn’t had to tap into their resilience at one time or many times over. My product based business grew out of a form of resilience as a much needed creative outlet and movement forward as I worked through post partum depression but so did learning how to use power tools, lay and grout tile, hang shelves and so much more! And through this resilience I am inspiring and encouraging other women to build their own resilience through the power of self confidence and mindset growth on my new podcast Girl, Do It Yourself Podcast.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I am currently dressed as a ballerina as I make a very large pivot from a product based business to a service based business. Much of the messaging is the same but the mode of delivery is very different. From drinkware items with inspirational designs and sayings meant to encourage self love and encouragement to a podcast and online course teaching women to do DIY Home Design and inspiring and encouraging them along the way!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.girldoityourselfpodcast.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jessicagracefully
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1058300915227307/

Image Credits
All photos are my own