Jen VanEe shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Jen, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think a lot of people, especially leaders, entrepreneurs, and working parents, are secretly struggling with having to be “on” even when they’re completely drained.
We’ve created this culture of constant performance: showing up polished, positive, and productive no matter what’s happening behind the scenes. But life doesn’t pause for deadlines, client meetings, or social expectations. You can be navigating a personal crisis, parenting chaos, or just a really hard season internally and still feel pressure to pretend everything’s fine.
As a business owner, I’ve absolutely felt that. When you run a company, your name is the brand, and that can make it feel like there’s no room for an “off” day. You’re not just representing yourself, you’re representing your business, your clients, your team, your reputation. It’s a heavy hat to wear.
But I think we’d all breathe a little easier if we gave ourselves and each other more permission to be human. Success doesn’t mean never struggling; it means learning how to keep showing up with honesty, grace, and boundaries. And sometimes that means saying, “I’m not at 100% today, but I’m here.” That’s real leadership. That’s sustainable entrepreneurship.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Jen VanEe, founder of Wright Touch, where I serve as a Fractional CMO and brand strategist for organizations that are ready to grow, but need a smarter, more strategic foundation to get there.
My work lives at the intersection of clarity and momentum. I help small to mid-sized businesses, nonprofits, and founder-led organizations cut through the noise, define who they are, and align their messaging, marketing, and operations with where they actually want to go. Whether it’s building a brand from the ground up or stepping in as a marketing partner during a critical season of growth or change, I’m passionate about creating strategies that are not only creative but commercially sound.
What makes Wright Touch different is that we don’t just “do marketing.” We dig deep. We start with people, your audience, your internal team, and your leadership, and uncover the core insights that shape how you show up in the market. I operate like an embedded partner, helping businesses unlock clarity in their messaging, consistency in their marketing, and confidence in their direction. No fluff. No bloated retainers. Just strategic action that works.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I believe the fastest way to break bonds is through a lack of accountability. When people avoid responsibility, shift blame, or refuse to own their role in a breakdown, it creates distance. Over time, that distance grows into distrust, resentment, and disconnection.
But the good news is: bonds can be rebuilt, and it starts with trust and authenticity. When someone is willing to show up honestly, take ownership, and do the work to repair what was broken, it opens the door for reconnection. Authenticity creates space for understanding, and trust is rebuilt through consistent, accountable action. It doesn’t need to be perfect action, but an aligned, intentional effort.
Whether you’re building a team, a brand, or a relationship, it all comes down to this: own your impact, lead with integrity, and keep showing up. That’s how the strongest bonds are formed.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
Without question, it was when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Cancer tried to take a lot from me. And in many ways, it could have. But from the moment I heard those words, I made a decision: if I had to go through it, something good was going to come from it. I wasn’t going to hide what I was going through. I was going to use it.
That choice led me to start One Tough Titty, first as a blog and creative outlet to process my own experience, and eventually as a nonprofit organization committed to helping other women facing the financial and emotional burden of breast cancer.
But it also shaped who I am as a business owner. It showed people what I stand for… resilience, transparency, and heart. It made my clients, partners, and community see the real me: someone who will face hard things head-on, and still find a way to show up, lead, and give back. Pain gave me purpose. And now that purpose is part of everything I do.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies marketing tells itself is that you have to ‘target everyone’ to grow. The fear of alienating someone often leads businesses to water down their message to the point that it doesn’t truly resonate with anyone. In reality, the most effective marketing happens when you’re clear about who your best customers are and you align your messaging to speak directly to them.
That doesn’t mean you won’t attract other audiences along the way; it just means your brand has a gravitational pull that’s stronger for the right people. And when you do it well, those ‘right people’ become loyal advocates and repeat customers.
The key is to develop core brand messages that stay consistent, and then create campaign layers that tailor those messages for different audience segments. You’re not excluding audiences, you’re prioritizing clarity over generality. And in marketing, clarity converts.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
This question feels a little morbid when you’ve already had to face your own mortality, but I hope people tell a story about energy. Specifically, the kind that brings people together, challenges the status quo, and leaves a mark that outlasts the moment.
I hope they say I made people feel seen. That I helped them find clarity when things felt messy. That I used my voice, my work, and my life to create impact.
Whether it was through Wright Touch, One Tough Titty, or just showing up in everyday life, I want to be remembered as someone who didn’t just survive the hard stuff but transformed it into fuel for doing good and lifting others up along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wrighttouchmarketing.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wright05/
- Other: https://www.onetoughtitty.org
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
