EB: Dear Jennifer:You’ve been contributing to WomenandBiz.com since March 2007, when we published our 6thissue. We truly appreciate your expert contribution. Through your articles, our readers came to learn a lot about internet marketing, social media, website design and content and just a little bit about yourself and your own experience. I thought it would be interesting to also learn more about how you got started, the challenges you faced and overcame, and your successes. Would you share your journey with our readers?
Jennifer Shaheen
Could you tell us about yourself before becoming an entrepreneur?
Jennifer: I think I have always been an entrepreneur at least that is what my family tells me. I grew up in Providence, RI and as a kid I was always coming up with crazy business ideas. One idea was a yardsale that had a friend of mine dressed like the Easter Bunny for neighborhood kids to take pictures with. Even then I was looking for a hook to get people to stop and shop.
EB: What was your education and professional experience? Were they helpful to starting your business?
Jennifer: My journey is a bit different, I started my 3rd business my junior year of college. That’s the business I have today. My first two businesses were launches and failures out of the gate because I didn’t understand the importance of planning and relationships. My third attempt was different – I used the professors in my business school at Hofstra University as an advisory board. They allowed me the flexibility to learn and really use what was being taught in class as value for planning my business. The answer is yes my education and professional experience was very helpful. Read more
