Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenn Herman.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I moved to San Diego from Canada in 2003 to pursue my Master’s degree in Forensic Science. I didn’t know a single person here and just had to trust in the path I had decided upon. I graduated from National University in 2005 Suma Cum Laude and was looking for jobs in the field of forensics while bartending and waitressing. The forensic opportunities weren’t coming to fruition, so out of chance, I took a sales job for a restaurant supply company and quickly excelled and moved into an outside sales position in Orange County. I was doing so well and building my territory until the economic crash forced me to move and take a job in the bay area working for BAE Systems.
Two weeks after I started that job, and having moved my life up there, they started the hiring freeze and two weeks later the layoffs started. I lasted three and a half months before having to move back to San Diego with my tail between my legs. I eventually went back to bartending to pay the bills. In that job, I met a couple of people at a local aerospace company in Poway, PKL Services and they were hiring an HR Assistant. I applied, got the job, and took a big pay cut to do so, so I continued to bartend on weekends to cover the bills. I’ve now been with PKL for 8 years and over that time have received multiple promotions, moving into a Director position within 5 years and being the first female to make a six-figure salary with the company. In the process of working at PKL, I decided to start a blog dedicated to social media marketing.
In January 2013, I launched Jenn’s Trends as a hobby, with no strategy or overall real goal. In March of that year, I crashed the hotel parties of a big social media conference, Social Media Marketing World, held here in San Diego every year (I couldn’t afford the ticket to the conference itself). It was there that I had my aha moment and knew I wanted to speak on that stage. Two years later, at SMMW 2015, I spoke for the first time at that conference and have spoken there every year since. When I started my blog, it was meant to be social media support at a very 101 introductory level. But in the process, I fell in love with Instagram as a platform and I decided to start focusing on that as a niche topic, purely because no one else was really talking about it effectively. All my early posts were very hands-on lessons from what I tried and learned.
In the process, I have now written well over 100 blog posts about Instagram marketing alone on my own website, plus guest posted on numerous publications, and have been featured in or quoted in publications like Inc., Yahoo! Finance, Fox News, The Verge, AdEspresso, HuffPost, and more. I was also approached to write Instagram for Business for Dummies which published in January 2018. I am now officially known as the world’s forefront blogger on Instagram marketing and get invited to speak at events and venues to teach other business owners and marketers how to use Instagram effectively. As a result, I have the privilege of working with various clients of all sizes from all around the world, to help them structure their social media strategies!
Has it been a smooth road?
It has been far from a smooth road! Every time I thought I knew the direction I was going, life threw me another curve ball. Not only were there business and career struggles, but I got pregnant, had my amazing daughter, got divorced, and now do it all while being a single parent. So, no, it’s not easy!
I hit so many roadblocks in my journey alone – from not getting a job in the field I went to school for, to the economy ruining my growth trajectory with the sales company, and having to go move multiple times until finally settling into something more permanent. I went through financial hardships and successes. I went through stressors and challenges I didn’t know I would ever have to handle.
But, I also had amazing experiences and learned a lot about myself and the business world. I met wonderful people who have helped me, mentored me, and encouraged me on my journey every step of the way.
I don’t regret any one thing that happened because each and every experience shaped me and the road I’m on today and I’ve never been happier!
As for other women, I constantly reach out to women in various workplace environments and stages of their careers to offer this one piece of advice: Know your worth and demand it be respected.
All too often, women accept the position that is offered to them, or the circumstances put in front of them, or the salary presented to them. They don’t negotiate for what they deserve.
In most of the industries I’ve worked in, I’ve learned to stand up for what I believe is fair and representative of my worth. I have argued for all but one raise I received. I have stood toe-to-toe with powerful men, often being the only female in a meeting, and I have learned to command the respect that my experience, expertise, and opinions are worth. This doesn’t mean you have to be rude or forceful. But you do have to be confident!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Jenn’s Trends – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
In my day job, I’m the Director of Marketing and Communications for PKL Services, a global aerospace maintenance, and training company. In my personal business, I am a social media strategist, consultant, and author.
My niche and specialty is Instagram marketing. I am known around the world for my Instagram advice – and my love of fabulous shoes. I also have an adorable toddler who is a fashionista in her own right and who I strive to build a life of independence and strength for.
My diverse business background in understanding how one decision can impact so many levels of a business is what really sets me apart from the rest. I work with my clients to build their social media strategies while helping them understand how these small components impact their whole business.
I’m also a strategist and bring creative thought processes, ideas, and applications to new features and functions that are released to ensure my clients and audience find effective ways of using Instagram and social media to drive real results for their business.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
Women are well positioned for ANY position. I work for a company that is 90% retired military. All of our Director and Executive level male employees are retired high-ranking military personnel. While many in my family are military, I am not. And I have succeeded and grown in this company – probably one of the hardest industries to do so. Most importantly, I have done it all while staying true to my personality, style, and professionalism.
Women are adept at so many things but we all have our own unique skill sets. I genuinely believe women should pursue the careers, regardless of the stigma or traditional roles of women in those industries, that they are gifted in. Find your passion, your strength, and your drive. Build that career and break the molds!
I love the shift that we’re seeing in the current landscape to encourage women to step forward and voice their experiences and opinions. I honestly believe my daughter will grow up in a world where she won’t experience the boundaries many of us have been confined to in the past.
Pricing:
- Consultations – $195/hour
Contact Info:
- Website: http://jennstrends.com
- Email: jenn@jennstrends.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/jenns_trends
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/jennstrendsonline
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/jenns_trends
Image Credit:
Me, Brit Jaye Photography, SD Headshots, Social Media Day San Diego, NAMM
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
