We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jen Guss a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jen , we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
It hasn’t been easy. The environment I grew up in wasn’t the most encouraging or supportive. As children, we were to be seen but not heard, but also not always seen, either… I was verbally abused, occasionally physically as well. Making art was one of the easiest ways I found I could get positive feedback. That became my feel good hobby. I also had extended family, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc… that were very loving and encouraging. Lack of confidence is something I still struggle with, but never when I’m creating something new.
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 am a salon owner (partnered with a few friends), artist and artisan boutique owner, and vintage collector/purveyor.
My artisan boutique features my artwork, jewelry, etc… as well as handmade items from more than 60 local artists/makers. We also feature kid artists every month. We host creative workshops, pop ups and sip & shops. Having a place for other local artists to sell their goods, collaborate, and be supported and encouraged has been a dream of mine for some time.
Being a cosmetologist for 30+ years has allowed me to be creative for a living, but I have also incorporated my love of vintage/found objects into my creative endeavors. I often incorporate my finds into bold, whimsical pieces of art and wearable art.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Determination, self reliance, and gratitude are the qualities that have served me best in this life.
The best advice I could offer is to believe in yourself. You can do anything you put your mind to, and it’s never too late to live your dream. Don’t allow the negativity of others to squash your dreams. A lot of negative thoughts come from a place of insecurity. The naysayers shouldn’t discourage you. Use that energy to move forward. And always be grateful. Gratitude is so powerful, in many ways it saved my life. Practicing gratitude has been shown to rewire your brain and make you happier.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
Awakening the Buddha Within, by Lama Surya Das.
This was the first book that I felt like I needed to highlight and bookmark pages. The entire book was so profound, but the teachings were so easily implemented. I found the practices of the Noble Eight Fold Path to be the key to moving my life forward:
Right view, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration. Learning these skills has been so important in my journey.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: downtherabbitholeboutiquellc (business) jenguss (personal)
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekitschyb?mibextid=kFxxJD
Image Credits
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