Meet Jodi Feinhor-Dennis

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

Jodi, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
The best way to answer the question of where do I get my resilience from, can only be described as…from my soul. I have been this way since I was a kid. In the face of adversity, I always look beyond what was in front of me. I had to, but more importantly I am driven from my core to get right back up after I face a challenge.

If I think about it a little more, I may have seen my mother never really give up. After raising three kids on her own, being hit with MS, in a wheel chair, loosing parents too early, working full time, caring for her mentally disabled sister, I witnessed her learning to walk again and managed to get out of that chair. Hmmm… that could be where my drive comes from.

I have never really thought about it that way. While I was fortunate growing up, my mother had her own struggles, so parenting the way I’d hoped for (and still getting therapy for today ) wasn’t really available. So, I parented myself with the drive and optimism. Always forging forward with resilience.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I think the overarching description of me and my business acumen, is “deliciously beautiful”. My current passion is taking all of my creative skills and wrapping them up in my brand new YouTube Channel, Jodi’s Healthy Bakes. Baking for wellness, one dessert at a time.

I was always the entrepreneur, even as a kid, I would be thinking about what can I create that I can share with the world. Likely started from a lemonade stand.

My business journey  really started in graphic design at the University of Cincinnati a billon years ago. I always gravitated to a more modern or uniquely creative design aesthetic. When I was a kid, I loved the McDonald’s commercials, I thought they were so clever.  I loved leafing thru clothing or furniture catalogs that were so well put together. Innovative design, stylish clothing, a stunning piece of furniture, or a captivating photo of tasty food always captured my attention.

My proudest life experiences are two fold, one, my interior design businesses and two, my success in the natural products industry.

I had, what I might say was the coolest modern furniture showroom and design center in Boulder, CO about 15 years ago called Invironments. My interior design businesses Invironments and Nesting Home Design has gotten projects on the pages of HGTV magazine, the cover of 5280 magazine and Colorado Homes and Lifestyle.

My second, not easy, but success was my company Missy J’s Snacks + Treats, a nationally distributed healthy carob candy and baking ingredient company with products sold in all Whole Foods nationwide and Canada, natural grocery chains like Erwhon in California, Natural Grocers, Jimbos to name just a few. In December of 2022, I sold Missy J’s Snacks +Treats to Azure Standard, the leading distributor of organic products nationwide. Plus, just kind people with incredible business savvy. I am grateful for their professional and excellent care of my “baby”.

Recently, I gathered all my skills into my band new YouTube baking show, Jodi’s Healthy Bakes. For decades, I have navigated my own health obstacles and food sensitivities that forced me to find foods, and more importantly, desserts that are free from gluten, dairy, sugar and for me chocolate. I was never going to live without chocolate, (obviously- lol), so along with Azure Standard we created the most craveable, chocolate tasting carob in all the land.

Years ago, in a twist of irony, the doctor said, “You have MS’, to which I retorted instantly, “Well, I am certainly not keeping it”. There may have been and expletive in that statement, but I meant it and today I am doing great. It all goes back to that resiliency. It is with that level of commitment to my health and healing that I created Jodi’s Healthy Bakes.

No matter what health issues someone is healing from, I believe we all need dessert.

The show focuses on innovative recipes using common and new ingredients that taste like the real thing, but are better for you.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
That’s easy, and yet hard…without exception dig deep to know yourself.

Deep healing work thru spiritual or alternative professionals is what guides me.
Even something as small as journaling is a great way to know yourself.

Never take no for an answer. Always look for solutions.

Have loving, supportive people around you who believe in you. Tell them what you need.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Jodi’s Healthy Bakes was formed to support people on a healing journey, one dessert at a time, as I have mentioned.

My muse is Zoe from Zoe Bakes and I would like to be known for creating equally stunning and tasty bakes, but for the natural products community, making them free from gluten, dairy and cane sugar.

My mission and challenge is how “get the word out”.

I have invested in business courses and training on “How to have your own cooking/baking show’, always perfecting my food photography skills, how to have a successful YouTube channel and Instagram, and always deep personal work. Connecting to the people who need the support to bake for wellness is my current challenge.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Photography and design by; Jodi Feinhor-Dennis

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