We recently connected with Natalie Jenkins and have shared our conversation below.
Natalie, thank you so much for joining us and offering your lessons and wisdom for our readers. One of the things we most admire about you is your generosity and so we’d love if you could talk to us about where you think your generosity comes from.
I think my generosity really comes comes from the environment I was raised in. I grew up in a family deeply rooted in ministry, so giving and serving were just part of everyday life. My parents were always pouring into people, and our home reflected that.. There were seasons when people stayed with us because they needed a place to land, and holidays often meant a house full of friends, neighbors, or anyone who needed a sense of belonging.
Looking back, I realize those moments framed how I see generosity. Watching that kind of open-handedness shaped me. It taught me that generosity isn’t only about resources but it’s often about presence, compassion, and the willingness to create space for others. That foundation has stayed with me in everything I do today, personally and professionally. It’s the heart behind how I lead, how I build community, and how I show up for others.
Whether it’s supporting people in my circle who are trying to figure out their next steps, connecting someone to an opportunity, or offering free Brand Health Checks and Impact Reviews through my business, I try to lead with that same open-handedness I saw growing up. It’s my way of paying forward what was modeled for me. Using what I have and where I am to help someone else move forward.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I wear a few different hats, but at the heart of it all, I help people and organizations show up with more clarity, confidence, and purpose. I run a boutique communications and brand strategy studio called StrateJenk, where we help mission-driven entrepreneurs, creatives, and organizations look, feel, and sound their best.
What’s most exciting to me is seeing that moment when everything “clicks” for a client. When their message finally matches their mission, or when they see how their story can truly move people. I believe strategy doesn’t have to be stiff or corporate but it can and should be deeply human. That’s what makes our work special. We blend creative direction, storytelling, and strategy to help brands not just look good, but do good. Most recently, we’ve been focused on offering free Brand Health Checks & Impact Reviews, which help entrepreneurs get a clearer picture of how their brand is performing and where they might be holding themselves back. It’s a way to give back while helping people move forward with confidence and direction.
Outside of client work, I’m building spaces that make the journey of life and entrepreneurship feel less lonely. I recently launched an evolving and growing co-working community in the DMV area called Anywhere But Home. We have some really exciting things coming down the pike with that but for now are really creating space for folks to get out of the house, touch grass, drink coffee, and switch up their environments while being productive.
I’m also growing The Little Long Project, a kindness initiative powered by my agency that fulfills real needs of real people and tells those stories through a Substack publication called For Good Measure. It’s one of my favorite projects because it bridges my love for storytelling with tangible impact. There will be much more shared on this in the new year!
At the core of everything I do is this belief: when people are clear on who they are and what they’re called to do, they show up differently and that ripple effect can change communities. I really focus on amplifying and empowering GOOD IMPACT.
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?
Looking back, I’d say the three qualities that have shaped my journey most are self-awareness, adaptability, and genuine connection.
Self-awareness has been everything. In entrepreneurship, and really in life, you’re constantly evolving. The clearer you are about who you are, what you value, and what you’re called to do, the easier it is to make aligned decisions. Also, the more honest you are with yourself when you deviate from those things the easier it is to get back on track. My advice for anyone starting out is to take time to pause and reflect often. Journal, pray, ask questions, and listen to what feels right, not just what looks good.
Adaptability has also been a huge part of my story. I’ve worn many hats and navigated plenty of pivots, and I’ve learned that change isn’t something to fear but actually it’s something to prepare for. Stay curious, stay teachable, and don’t get too attached to one version of success. Every shift can reveal something new about your purpose if you let it.
And lastly, connection. Building real, intentional relationships has opened more doors than anything else. So much of my work and impact has come from community. Be generous with your time, your encouragement, and your knowledge. When you pour into others, it always circles back.
If you can stay rooted in who you are, flexible in how you move, and kind in how you connect, you’ll go far no matter what field you’re in.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
A book that’s really stuck with me is “The Defining Decade” by Dr. Meg Jay. As I’m getting ready to turn 29, I’ve been holding onto its lessons even tighter.
It completely changed how I think about my twenties. There’s this pressure to have everything figured out, or on the flip side, this idea that your twenties don’t really count. But the book reframes that. It reminds you that these years do matter, and the choices you make now from how you spend your time to who you surround yourself with and what you say yes to are all shaping your future in ways you might not see yet.
What I love most is how she talks about building “identity capital.” Every experience, skill, or connection you gain becomes part of who you are, even the messy or uncertain parts. That perspective has helped me see so much purpose in the process, not just the outcome.
So right now, as I’m closing out my twenties, I’m trying to live with that in mind. Being intentional, saying yes to growth, and trusting that even the small steps are adding up to something meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://natjenk.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliejenkins___/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nnjenkins/
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