05 | Jenna Kutcher, NYT Best Selling Author & Host of Goal Digger Podcast

Aug 31

MEET EXPECTING CEO JENNA KUTCHER, HOST OF THE TOP-RATED GOAL DIGGER PODCAST & NYT BESTSELLING AUTHOR

When I think about iconic women who are building a legacy in business and family, Jenna Kutcher is a name that immediately comes to mind. For years she’s been a trail blazer in the online space, disrupting the norm of “hustle culture” in favor of sustainably building a company and life that measure up to her personal definition of success.

Jenna’s a born-and-raised Minnesota wife, mother, and entrepreneur who aims for two things daily: helping others wake up to life and staying in comfy pants. Creator and host of the top-rated Goal Digger Podcast, she’s helped thousands redefine success and chase bold dreams through her decade-long work as a leading online personality and educator.

WHERE IS SHE IN HER EXPECTING JOURNEY TODAY?

2 children under 4 years old
In business for a decade
Top-rated podcast: Goal Digger Podcast
NYT Best Seller: How Are You… Really?

BECOMING YOUR PERSON

“You've heard it a million times before. If you want to make a friend be a friend, that's true. But I believe there's more to the adage to find your people. You have to be your person.”
— JENNA KUTCHER, HOW ARE YOU REALLY?

Jenna Kutcher didn’t build her business just to recreate the patterns that led her away from the windowless cubicle of her corporate career. Early on, she subscribed to the belief that the way you do one thing is the way you do everything. And with that belief guiding her, she’s built a life and a business with authenticity in mind. But her commitment to moving authentically led her to a simple revelation…

“We’ve forgotten the personal aspect of the development, right? We’ve adopted the strategies and the systems and the step-by-step processes. But we haven’t paused long enough to be like, who am I really?” Jenna said to me.

Jenna believes figuring out who you are… really… is the key to building a life that’s fulfilling, a company you love, and even a team that’s in alignment.

A PERSONAL APPROACH TO LEADERSHIP

If you’re familiar with Jenna Kutcher you’ve likely heard her rave about the JK10, aka the team of 10 powerhouse women that make up her company. A team of all women you ask? That’s right! And that fact leads to some interesting situations, “Someone’s always pregnant. Someone’s always on maternity leave. And it’s so beautiful…” Jenna mused.

Her excitement around the topic was so refreshing. How often do we hear about business owners who value work output more than the people who do that work? That’s mentality is not Jenna’s style. In fact, she prioritizes genuine connection with each team member, again relating it to being her person… and thus attracting employees who align with the mission of her company and her as its CEO.

It’s that mentality that led her to create fair business practices and an empowering company culture.

Jenna said, “If I want maternity leave, my team gets a maternity leave. If I want flexibility, they get flexibility. And I think that’s something that’s so beautiful that entrepreneurship can afford, and more leaders’ should be challenged to question as well.”

LETTING GO AND ASKING FOR HELP

Building a business takes grit. And most entrepreneurs know the intensity that comes with wearing all the hats, but what happens when it’s time to relinquish some of that control? Jenna reflected on her transition into boss territory and when she realized she was white-knuckling her way through everything.

“I had pondered these thoughts and many more in the past, but then Caitlyn's email arrived. It had been a minute since I'd heard from her reminding me, she was there ready and willing to help if I ever needed it. And this time I cried right. Then I needed help more than I even knew how to express in the throes of another loss. I was trying to imagine how I could keep things afloat. And to this day, I am convinced that what compelled her to reach out to me one more time, despite having been told more than once to shove off nicely was something a whole lot more powerful.”

After accepting support from her very first hire, she never looked back. Since then the business has expanded one by one, setting the stage for the success to follow. Jenna told me about how each new hire is a joy for her because she “...get(s) to let people come fully alive and do a better job than I can do by myself so that I can be the type of mom I want to be, but also run the type of business I want to run and show up in a way that only I can.”

KNOWING WHEN TO PRESS THE BREAK… AND WHEN TO ADD GAS

The idea of slowing down on a business that you’ve spent years building is scary for anyone… let alone a first-time parent. Even though deciding you’re ready to start your family is meant to be an exciting time, the truth is it can dredge up some deep-rooted fears in the best of us.

Jenna knows all about those fears. While both of her daughters were born many years (and 7-figures) into business, that fear was still there. What would happen if she slowed things down? How could she provide not only for herself, but also for the women of JK10? Jenna found the answer in a mindset shift, choosing to believe that if she found the gas pedal once, she’ll be able to find it again.

Her call to other expecting CEOs is that if you’re “feeling that call to slow down: trust yourself, honor your gifts, and know that what has gotten you this far will carry you forward.”

FEATURED EXPECTING CEO AFFIRMATION

Today’s Expecting CEO affirmation is:

I am a divine being capable of simultaneously building an impactful business and ushering a new soul into this world.

Remember, an affirmation is only as powerful as the practice it’s attached to. We encourage you to post this somewhere you can see today, use it as your meditation mantra, or even use it as a journal prompt!

Expecting CEO journal prompt:

Jenna uses a simple method to figure out her ideal life managing a thriving company and her beautiful family: she thinks of it like a movie scene. If you could envision your life as a parent and business owner, what scene comes to mind? Describe what a “scene” where you’ll feel proud of how you show up in both roles looks like. And don’t forget to celebrate when it actually happens!

CONNECT WITH JENNA

Tianna Tye https://www.tiannatye.com