We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jen McFarland. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jen below.
Jen, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
I’m a lifelong learner, so curiosity is one of the biggest drivers for creativity. There’s always something new to uncover and discover. When finding creative client solutions or course content for my membership, I always keep a notepad next to my desk to keep track of questions I get. Those questions become fodder for email newsletters, courses, templates, etc. It’s like a neverending stream of information to choose from, which I find delightful.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Hi! My name is Jen McFarland. I’m the CEO of Women Conquer Business, a marketing consultancy in Portland, OR. We help energize service-based businesses with confidence-boosting, ethical marketing strategies based on our clients’ biggest business goals. My approach differs from my colleagues in that I have a varied background. I’ve done everything from Peace Corps to in-house marketing to an executive at the City of Portland. What I’ve learned is there’s more than one “right way” to do things, and it’s our job to guide folks to find and develop a strategy that works for them. What I’m most excited about is our new online marketing membership community. I LOVE teaching business owners what to pay attention to, what to ignore, and how to set marketing priorities. My favorite part is creating a safe container for people to ask questions and dedicate time to work on their business, not in their business.
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?
Going into things with an open mind, a can-do attitude, and tenacity always keep me going. when we don’t get what we want immediately, it’s easy to give up. Resist the urge to think everything should come easy or quickly. Honestly, there’s no such thing as overnight success. To become great at your craft, even with talent, it takes time, effort, and patience. It’s hard; we live in a get-it-now world where the expectations of immediacy are so common. Yet, being an expert or truly great at anything isn’t easy. Keep at it. It’s worth it.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I take a deep breath, remind myself I’m OK, and then reflect on what has overwhelmed me. A lot of times, it’s that I haven’t adequately planned my week, set proper priorities, or written out the most essential tasks. The worst thing you can do is keep everything in your head. When you get busy, it’s easy to forget your priorities and how long it will take (especially when you have much to do). Take your time. Communicate your needs. You got this.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.womenconquerbiz.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/womenconquerbiz
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/womenconquerbiz
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/jensmcfarland
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WomenConquerBusiness
- Other: https://pinterest.com/womenconquerbiz
Image Credits
Professional shots (black and white, and the headshot) by Darina Neyret.
