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

Jillian, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

The legacy I hope to build is for young girls to believe the key to success is to start before you’re ready and always to remember when you follow your passion, it will lead you to your purpose in life. I want to be remembered as a woman who served her purpose by finding her passion through the life barriers she faced. Along with understanding that the wounds I once had led to the wisdom I gained throughout life, which was the mold of my journey to success. I want people to remember me as a woman who was not afraid to share her barriers with the world because those barriers not only helped me find my purpose but helped young women around the world build the strength and courage to find their purpose in their journey to success and creating their legacy.

Jillian, 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?

Jillian Highsmith is the founder of The What’s Next Project. Jillian was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, and moved to Charlotte, NC, in 2014 to proceed with her education and develop her career. Jillian Highsmith graduated Magna Cum Laude from Johnson C. Smith University in 2018. The What’s Next Project is a girls’ outreach program in Charlotte, NC, that helps young women ages 12 through 21 years old blossom into successful leaders in our community while developing strong skillsets for life and academic success. Jillian always had a passion for helping young women succeed and building a strong foundation to have the confidence to accomplish every goal they set. The What’s Next Project has completed service through the community within its brand by working with many different organizations and businesses. A few to name are Girl Talk Foundation, Belk Fashion, Helping Hearts Non-Profit Organization, Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, groundUP Creative Agency, and Blaq Fathers Matter, Inc. The What’s Next Project is also a community partner with Charlotte Mecklenburg School Systems, where The What’s Next Project Team has volunteered, sponsored students to attend summer camps such as “Who Got Game Summer Basketball Camp,” and hosted events within multiple middle schools and high schools within Mecklenburg County. The What’s Next Project also offers one-on-one mentoring services to instill in young girls that they can succeed in life regardless of the life challenges and situations program participants may face before, during, or after the mentoring program. The mentoring program is also offered virtually to girls ages 12-21. The What’s Next Project also hosts scholarship fundraisers for high school students worldwide. I am proud that my brand reassures young girls of their impact in this world through the resources we have developed for the community, and our brand can also help young girls worldwide within their educational and community development through the resources provided by The What’s Next Project.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

My advice for managing a team and maintaining high morale is to have individuals on your team with a similar purpose that your business serves for the community and build a strong bond with your team. To have a successful business, it takes a team that works together while maintaining a positive attitude and high satisfaction levels towards the assigned work duties. The What’s Next Project has hosted team bonding events, such as luncheons, sponsoring our team members’ children to different community events, and ensuring our team feels appreciated by giving thank you cards, flowers, and even gift cards to places our team members enjoy.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

A few book recommendations that have significantly impacted my management, entrepreneurial thinking, and philosophy is Lead From The Outside by Stacey Abrams and Heart and Hustle by Patricia Bright. I also believe having a planner has helped me develop my entrepreneurial thinking creatively. The planner I am currently utilizing is Boss Babe Business Planner from Girls In Charge LLC.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thewhatsnextproject.org/
• Instagram: thewhatsnextproject_
• Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
Photographer: Alissa Mauter (CEO of groundUP Creative Agency)