Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jenn Kacmar And Rose Patrice. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jenn Kacmar and Rose, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Finding our purpose didn’t exactly follow a linear path; if anything, it felt more like trying to escape from a maze—blindfolded, no map, and with only a vague sense of direction. Fortunately, our friendship was the flashlight that helped us find our way. Our pasts—professional and personal—left us breadcrumbs to follow, and the world around us basically dropped us onto our eventual path.
We come from different professional worlds—one in trauma therapy, the other in public health—both noble and important fields, but we were looking for something more. Our personal lives? That’s where we really clicked. We’re both women, both mothers of boys, both caught in the whirlwind of juggling work, family, and the ever-growing list of things you should probably be doing to be a “well-rounded person” (whatever that means). Amidst all that, we often felt disconnected from our true selves, buried under societal pressure, and craving something deeper—something real.
Then came the pandemic which threw our isolation into ever sharper relief. Suddenly, we were left to confront just how lonely and disconnected things had gotten. Over the years, we had jokingly talked about writing a book about life in our small town—because, honestly, what’s more entertaining than small-town drama? With the quarantine, we now had the time.
So, we started writing. And it turns out, writing was like therapy—but with fewer tissues and more coffee (or wine, depending on the circumstance)… Creating a fictional world where we could highlight the good, the bad, and the downright ugly, while showing how relationships could help us navigate it all, was cathartic. Through that process, our bond grew even stronger, and we rediscovered the profound power of friendship. We realized we wanted to help others tap into that same connection—the kind that doesn’t just make you feel seen, but also understood.
So, writing was just the beginning. We didn’t stop there. We were so moved by our own transformation that we felt compelled to turn it into something more. A movement. A community where women could embrace vulnerability, form real connections, and support each other in living authentically. This wasn’t just about writing; it was about creating a space where people—especially women—could feel less alone, more connected, and maybe even a little more empowered.
Through our writing, speaking, and community-building, we’ve set out to create a space where friendship isn’t just something nice to have, but something actively nurtured. We want to remind people they’re worthy of love, support, and—most importantly—real connections. We also want to encourage others to use the power of friendship however they can. Our friendship gave birth to a novel (the first of many, we hope!) and has since grown into a movement that’s changing lives, one connection at a time. We have to wonder what could happen if more women came together with this kind of energy.
We didn’t set out to create a movement; we just followed what felt right. It wasn’t about having everything figured out—it was about doing something that could help us navigate a disconnected world and, in turn, help others feel seen, heard, and understood.
In the end, finding our purpose wasn’t so much about discovering something new as it was about digging into what was already inside of us. It was a reminder that purpose can’t always be mapped out. Sometimes there are dark corners, unexpected detours, and moments when you think, “I’m lost!” But as long as you keep following your heart and lean on a friend for support, you eventually get to where you need to be. Or at least somewhere better than where you started.
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?
We’ve essentially got two major focus areas right now:
Internally: We’re deep in the writing game. Our debut novel, Snowflakes in the South, unlocked a whole new level of creative energy for us. We’ve got plans for several more novels in the works—each delving into the complex, messy, and sometimes hilarious power of human connection (the good, the bad, and the ‘oh boy’). We’re hoping to spark some meaningful conversations through our stories, or at the very least, give people something interesting to talk about at book clubs.
Externally: We’re on a mission to help people connect. Not just swapping memes and liking each other’s vacation photos—but really connecting. We’re all about encouraging folks to step outside their comfort zones, meet new people, or dive deeper into existing friendships. We want to help people empower themselves and, in the process, make the world a little more interesting. Enter: ‘Rose & Jenn: Writers and Friends,’ our brainchild. This space is where we actively engage with others on the importance of true connection, and how it’s about more than just having someone to sip lattes with. Sure, we’ve got our online platform, but we dream of a world where people actually put down their phones and have face-to-face conversations.
Both of these aspects of our work are vital to us and pretty exciting too. Although we’ve been at this just a short time, we’ve met many incredible people and discovered some inspiring projects along the way. The best part? Listening to people and engaging with them—especially those outside our usual circles—sparks powerful conversations, unforgettable experiences, and, honestly, a lot of meaningful moments.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Willingness to Try New Things:
The willingness to try new things is a cornerstone of personal and professional growth. Whether you’re exploring a new career, taking up a new hobby, or tackling a project that stretches you beyond your comfort zone, stepping into the unknown opens up a world of possibilities that can’t be found by staying within familiar boundaries. Trying new things forces you to rethink what you thought you knew about yourself and the world around you. It challenges your assumptions, sparks creativity, and often reveals hidden talents you never knew you had. The ability to embrace the unfamiliar keeps you flexible, ensuring that you’re not only prepared for opportunities when they arise, but actively seeking them out. Without this “adventure-seeking” quality, we limit ourselves to the safe and predictable—and miss out on the chance to evolve and reinvent ourselves along the way.
Embracing and Adapting to Negative Feedback:
It’s never easy to hear criticism—especially when it feels personal or when you’ve poured so much of yourself into your work. But the ability to embrace and adapt to constructive criticism is one of the most powerful tools for personal and professional growth. Instead of viewing feedback as a setback, we’ve learned to see it as an opportunity to refine our approach and make improvements. While it can sting, negative feedback is not fundamentally a reflection of worth; it’s an essential part of the learning process. It’s an invitation to reflect on what’s working, what isn’t, and how you might be able to do better next time. The ability to take feedback in stride, without becoming defensive or discouraged, builds resilience and a growth mindset. This shift allows you to continuously improve, make adjustments, and ultimately achieve greater success in everything you do.
Persistence and Accepting Failure as Part of the Journey:
Persistence is arguably one of the most important qualities for success, because it’s often the difference between those who achieve their goals and those who give up too soon. Along any path, there will be challenges, setbacks, and times when progress feels frustratingly slow. But it’s persistence—the ability to keep going even when the going gets tough—that ultimately leads to achievement. Embracing failure as a natural part of the process is crucial; it’s not a sign that you’re failing, but that you’re learning and growing. Each failure provides valuable lessons, teaching you what doesn’t work and guiding you closer to what does. In the end, success isn’t just about talent or luck—it’s about persistence: the determination to continue, no matter how many times you stumble. Cultivating persistence helps you navigate obstacles with grace and determination, turning setbacks into stepping stones.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Overwhelmed? Us? Never.
Okay, fine—sometimes we do feel a little overwhelmed (don’t tell anyone). But here’s the thing: we’re lucky enough to have a professional partnership crafted on the foundation of friendship. It’s like having a built-in support system, complete with trust, honesty, and, yes, a few “What were we thinking?” moments. We’re always open about how we’re feeling, both the good and the not-so-good, and how it’s affecting our work (and, you know, our sanity). This level of openness is one of the main reasons we’re passionate about helping others find real, meaningful connections. Because when life or work feels like it’s spiraling out of control, having someone to talk to—whether it’s over the phone or while sipping rosé—makes everything feel more manageable.
Talking things out, breaking problems into bite-sized pieces, and prioritizing solutions helps us keep moving forward. And, we also recognize the importance of occasionally taking a step back when everything feels too big to handle. Whether it’s a project, a deadline, or the general chaos of life, sometimes the best thing to do is pause, breathe, maybe even grab another glass of wine or a cup of coffee, before getting back to work. So, yeah—feeling overwhelmed? It happens. But we’ve learned that sharing the load makes it a lot easier to handle, and makes the ride a lot more fun, too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://RoseandJenn.com
- Instagram: Rose&Jenn Writers and Friends
- Facebook: Rose&Jenn Writers and Friends
Image Credits
Professional photos by Katie Anne Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
