We recently connected with Jessica Janniere and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you as a business owner?

The most important lesson I learned on the job came when I was just 14 years old, and it shaped everything about who I am today as a business owner.

I had the incredible opportunity to work through the NYC Summer Youth Employment Program, which placed me at a nursing home. What started as a summer job ended up changing the trajectory of my life. That summer, I was introduced to the field of therapeutic recreation and developed a deep love for serving the elderly. After the program ended, I was offered a part-time position that worked around my high school schedule. Eventually, that turned into a full-time role, and over time, I went from a recreation aide to becoming the Director of Recreation. I was responsible for leading an entire department and designing meaningful activities for our residents.

I loved the work and the people. I poured myself into the role with compassion, professionalism, and a strong desire to do everything with excellence. But when I stepped into the Director position, things shifted. It wasn’t the workload that challenged me—it was leadership. I suddenly had to navigate team conflict, cast vision, motivate people with different personalities, and manage expectations—all without the proper tools. I began to feel overwhelmed and discouraged, and I couldn’t understand why the job I once loved started to feel heavy.

Eventually, as I started a family and pursued further education, my husband and I decided it was time for me to become a stay-at-home mom for a season. But even as a full-time “Domestic Diva,” I missed working. That’s when I stumbled upon an opportunity to start a home-based business. At first, I was hesitant—sales scared me—but we needed the income, and I needed adult interaction! I went to my first business meeting and was unexpectedly blown away. They didn’t just talk about business—they talked about *personal development*. And that’s when everything clicked.

I thought back to my time as a young leader in the nursing home. If I had known then what I was learning now—about communication, emotional intelligence, accountability, and growth—I would have led so differently. That realization ignited a fire in me. I devoured personal growth books and dove deep into developing the leader within myself.

Looking back, I realized my biggest struggles as a leader stemmed from a lack of personal development. I didn’t know how to communicate effectively, resolve conflict, or navigate strong emotions—mine or others’. That gap created tension and breakdowns in my team. Still, despite those challenges, we served our residents well, passed every state and private inspection, and received heartfelt appreciation from patients and their families.

If I could go back, I’d tell my younger self: *Develop the leader in you, so you can better lead others.*

That lesson became the foundation for everything I do today. It sparked my passion for personal growth and leadership development. Today, I run a nationally recognized personal and professional development company—proof that every challenge contains a seed of purpose, and every failure can become fuel for your future.

Jessica, 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 Jessica Janniere, and I’m the Founder and CEO of Look Up and Beyond Inc., a nationally recognized personal and professional development company that is committed to Building Resilient Leaders, Inspiring Teams, and Cultivating Visionary Change. Our mission is to help individuals and organizations overcome past pain and present challenges so they can lead purpose-driven, productive, and resilient lives.

We are known for our unique ability to blend faith, emotional intelligence, and actionable leadership strategies into transformational experiences that shift people from surviving to thriving—spiritually, personally, and professionally.

My journey into this work began when I was just 14 years old through the NYC Summer Youth Employment Program. I was placed in a nursing home, where I first discovered my love for service and leadership. That summer changed the trajectory of my life. I was known as a high-risk teen who struggled with drugs, alcohol and extremely low self-esteem. My home life was filled with abuse, poverty and extreme dysfunction. This job, inspired a sense of hope, made me feel safe, and placed me in a community that became my “family.” I dedicated myself to my work and I believe that nursing home saved my life.

I eventually became the Director of Recreation, leading an entire department in my early 20s. I loved my team and the residents we served—but I found myself struggling in leadership. Managing team dynamics, conflict, communication, and vision-casting were all incredibly challenging. I simply lacked the tools, the mentorship, and the development I needed at the time. I didn’t understand it at the time, but my past trauma contributed to my leadership challenges at the root.

Later, after stepping away to become a stay-at-home mom, I unexpectedly stepped into a home-based business. What drew me in wasn’t the sales pitch—it was the introduction to personal development. It awakened something deep inside of me. I realized that had I known then what I was learning now—about mindset, communication, self-awareness, and emotional mastery—I could have served my team and led with greater impact. That realization ignited a new mission, and Look Up and Beyond Inc. was born.

Today, Look Up and Beyond equips people from all walks of life to become strong, self-aware, and emotionally intelligent leaders who can thrive through adversity and lead others well.

We offer:

Engaging and interactive workshops, inspirational keynotes, and customized training sessions for schools, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and faith-based communities

The Leadership Game Experience is a fun, interactive, and transformational team-building experience that helps you create the ultimate workplace culture. It is your secret weapon for building a thriving, values-driven culture—one powerful question (and a few laughs!) at a time.

Transformational coaching programs, including Look Up and Beyond: Live Your Purpose, which integrates emotional healing, faith, and strategic growth

DISC personality assessments, team-building activities, and resilience-based consulting

Conferences and live events that empower individuals and organizations to rise to their next level of influence and impact

We partner with educators, students, workforce leaders, faith communities, entrepreneurs, and high-performing teams to cultivate environments of purpose, growth, and collaboration. Whether you’re leading a boardroom or rebuilding your confidence, we meet you where you are and walk with you toward visionary change.

What sets us apart is that we don’t just treat symptoms—we address the root. We go beyond motivation and into transformation, empowering people to shift limiting beliefs, break cycles of emotional disconnection, and rise as resilient leaders who influence others with clarity, compassion, and purpose.

I am a three-time suicide attempt survivor, a survivor of child abuse and sexual assault, and someone who has experienced deep emotional pain—but also profound healing and redemption. My life’s mission is to show others that your past doesn’t define your potential. I lead with that truth in every keynote, coaching call, and training session.

I’m a certified international speaker, coach, and trainer with the John C. Maxwell Leadership Company. I’ve been honored by the New York State Assembly and Senate, the NYC Council, and other organizations for my work in suicide prevention, youth empowerment, and leadership development.

What I’m most proud of isn’t the titles or accolades—it’s the people who walk away from an experience with us saying: “Now I believe I can lead. Now I believe I matter. Now I have hope again.”

If there’s one thing I want you to know about me and Look Up and Beyond Inc., it’s this:
We see the leader in every person, even when they can’t see it in themselves.
We exist to build resilient leaders, inspire thriving teams, and cultivate the kind of visionary change the world desperately needs.

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

Right before the global pandemic of 2020, I was finally gaining momentum in my speaking business. I had consistent clients, was traveling often, and was making a national impact through my message. It felt like everything I had been working so hard for was starting to take shape.

Then—Covid hit. Practically overnight, every event on my calendar was canceled, and the contracts I had “secured” vanished along with my income. Like so many business owners during that time, I was faced with a choice: pause or pivot.

I chose to pivot. I leaned into learning new skills and figuring out how to create transformational experiences virtually. It wasn’t easy, but I refused to let the mission behind my work disappear. Over time, I reimagined how I connected with audiences, and not only did I begin to secure new contracts—I started getting recognized for the impact I was making in virtual spaces.

That season stretched me, but it also strengthened me. It reminded me that the power of purpose doesn’t depend on a platform—it just needs a willing vessel.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

What’s helped me build my reputation in the market is simple: I genuinely love people, and I deeply believe in their potential. That belief is the foundation of everything I do. From an early age, I’ve had a passion for serving others—not just helping them achieve goals, but helping them heal, grow, and thrive.

My reputation has been shaped by consistently living out my core values, which are captured in my leadership statement: I am driven by faith and purpose in all I do, striving daily to live authentically, with integrity and wholeness. I lead with empathy, compassion, and love—creating environments where people feel safe to show up as they are, no matter what they’ve been through.

People remember how you make them feel. And I believe my ability to connect with others in a real, human way—even in professional spaces—is what has helped me build lasting trust, credibility, and impact in the market.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lookupandbeyond.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicajanniere/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085637877649
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicajanniere/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jessicajanniere