We recently had the chance to connect with Jessica Koiner and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jessica, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I am most proud of my children and my husband. As a faith-focused family, I am increasingly impressed by the ways my 8 year old son sees Jesus in our day-to-day life, impacts others with his character and loves our family well. Trust me, our parenting of them is NOT without struggle, timeouts, discussions and consequences but seeing the fruit of loving-discipline, a willingness to pause and listen, and intentional family time makes our efforts worthwhile. My husband is an excellent father to our children as well. I’m honored to have been gifted this group of humans that I call my family. They are a joy and I, too often, forget to share my appreciation of them.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Jessica Koiner! I am unapologetic about my love of Jesus and my family (which includes my husband of 15 years, my son (8), my daughter (5), and my doggie (Luna, 1))! I love singing and leading my church in corporate worship. I love food and exploring new places to eat with my husband, Michael. And I LOVE my job! As a Board Certified Lactation Consultant and owner of The Milk Box Lactation, I have the privilege of supporting, equipping and guiding families along their feeding journey…whatever that may look like. It’s an absolute joy to get to do that every day. There are few higher compliments than when your clients become some of your closest friends!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Becoming a mother in 2016 changed so much about how I empathize with others. I’ve always had a passion for family, medicine, and children. I had a great deal of experience watching kiddos of all ages and felt confident and comfortable but nothing prepares you for the person that you become after giving birth. While the first 3 months of my son’s life were some of the most challenging I’ve ever experienced, I know that those struggles planted in me an unquenchable thirst to support mothers as they endure the very same seasons. What was once a dark season for me, has blossomed into this beautiful garden of women that I have had the honor to love and protect. Their success and peace bring me the very same in multitudes!
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
There are several things that I would say to myself when I was a student. I would tell her that success in the numerical sense – in your grades – will not be predictive of what you will be able to accomplish in the future. That failure is acceptable and, in fact, necessary. That failure is not an indication of who you are as a person. That, even when you do not feel like you are ‘enough,’ you are. And I would deepen that edification for the season that made me a mother. I would give myself more boundaries on my expectations of myself. I would tell myself to get help for my postpartum anxiety much sooner. I would tell myself to drop the pressure of “sleep when baby sleeps” and encourage me to ask for help in different ways; to speak up with honesty and a lack of guilt for the way I was feeling deep inside.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
In these formative years for my children, I find myself admiring a good friend of mine who carries herself with such a fragrance of peace and self-control. She is slow to anger and abounding in love and self-discipline. Her children love and respect her. They listen promptly and obey. She has garnished their respect and admiration because she is consistent and kind, caring and explanatory, temperate and deliberate, and God-fearing. I strive to be more like her.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I pray that people I have impacted remember me as someone who was intentional, kind, and dedicated; someone who loved large and took friendships seriously. I pray that they remember the way I lead others to the feet of Jesus with my genuine worship – not because my voice was good or the band was amazing – but because I was honest with my love of Jesus and allowed my passion for Him to overflow into the microphone in a way that gave them permission and welcomed them to do the same. I pray my children remember that I was on their team and in their corner. I pray my husband remembers that I saw him in ways that no one else ever did and appreciated him with a depth of respect and admiration that was unmatched. I pray that they miss my out-of-the-blue “I’m thinking about you! And I wanted to check in and see how you’re doing” text messages and that it inspires them to take up the mantle of genuine connection with others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://themilkbox.org/
- Instagram: @the_milk_box
Image Credits
Lakin Stearns Photography
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