15 Years of Jennasis: Built to Evolve

Fifteen years. Fifteen years. Wow…how the time flies. 

When Jennasis began, I could never have fully imagined all that these 15 years would hold: The clients who would trust us with their businesses and organizations. The team members who would bring their gifts to our work. The mentors, relationships, and communities that welcomed, shaped and challenged us. The lessons and awards; the highs and lows of constantly changing circumstances. The countless ways the business and I have evolved. 

Because if there is one thing 15 years in business has taught me, it is this:

Growth rarely looks like a straight line.

There have been seasons of expansion and seasons of recalibration. Moments when we knew exactly where we were headed and others when we had to get quiet enough to ask what was next. We’ve learned new technologies, expanded our capabilities, changed how we work, and continued to adapt alongside the businesses and leaders we serve.

But through all that change, the heart of Jennasis has remained remarkably consistent.

People matter. Relationships matter. Community matters. And doing meaningful work matters.

We Didn’t Build This Alone

One of the greatest gifts of entrepreneurship has been discovering just how many people and organizations are committed to helping business owners grow.

Over the years, organizations such as EOA Cleveland, EO Cleveland, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Burton D. Morgan Foundation, Edward Lowe Foundation, Aileron, and Raymond James have been part of our larger entrepreneurial journey. Over the years, Jennasis has also served as a proud member of the Rocky River Chamber of Commerce, Olmsted Chamber of Commerce, Berea Chamber of Commerce, NAWBO, NSA, Working Women’s Connection, Athena Akron, and CLEO to connect, learn and grow with businesses throughout northeast Ohio. 

Each has created spaces where entrepreneurs can learn, be challenged, build relationships, gain perspective, and become stronger leaders. Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, for example, combines practical business education with access to capital and support services, while Edward Lowe Foundation focuses specifically on helping growth-oriented second-stage companies continue to develop. Here in Northeast Ohio, Burton D. Morgan Foundation has spent decades strengthening our region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

And then there is EO Cleveland, a community that has reinforced something we have come to believe deeply: entrepreneurs need other entrepreneurs. Today, the Cleveland chapter is part of a global peer network built around helping business owners learn and grow together.

These communities didn’t simply help us become better at business. They helped us become better leaders. And that distinction means more to us today than ever before.

The Privilege of Doing Meaningful Work

Then there are the organizations that have invited Jennasis into their stories. Over 15 years, we’ve had the opportunity to work with businesses of all sizes, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, educational institutions, community organizations, and some names that have become part of the fabric of our own journey. 

A special thanks to two of our longest running clients: Putnam Consulting and Growth Capital for your continued investment, trust and belief in Jennasis. Working with you to help your businesses grow into thriving companies has brought us so much joy! 

We’ve been honored to work with organizations including the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, whose work supports the use, preservation and enjoyment of one of Northeast Ohio’s greatest natural resources; Baldwin Wallace University and its Professional Development team, which helps organizations and professionals continue developing their skills and leadership; Great Lakes Science Center, who makes STEM education fun and accessible to children in Northeast Ohio, and Banyan Technology, who help to keep on the road freight optimized across all stages of shipment,  among many others. 

Different industries. Different missions. Different challenges. But behind every logo has always been a story, a resonance, the web of life bringing us all together trusting in each other to help each other grow, evolve, dissolve, or change. This is something we have never taken lightly.

To the People Behind the 15 Years

A successful business takes more than just one person running the ship. It is built through the leadership, commitment, and determination of a team with multiple personalities, layers, and perspectives. Jennasis has been shaped by the people who have taken the leap and gave their all to the goals and aspirations of our business. From board members to team members, the Jennasis story was written by those who were willing to try, grow and thrive together. 

I have had the privilege of working with a talented, evolving team over the past fifteen years and am deeply grateful to all who have contributed to the success of Jennasis. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank several key members of our team who have dedicated themselves far beyond the call of their job.

This business would not run without the support of my mother, Kathy, who is our longest running team member to date. Mom, thank you for your patience with me, for helping me in the highs and lows of our business. You’ve been one of my biggest cheerleaders and for that, I am foreverly grateful. 

I also want to thank my husband, Chad, for joining my business in 2021 when all hell broke loose after Covid. I didn’t know which way to turn and you stepped in and helped with your servant leadership heart. The hours you’ve spent on my company while not getting paid along the way, shows me how much you believe in me and this dream of mine. Thank you! I love you to the moon and back. 🦋🐺💫 

There are two key team members who have carried us throughout the past fifteen years: Marcia and Natalie. Marcia, who functioned in almost every single role at Jennasis. She entered into my business as a writer but quickly became a pivotal part of my company. She showed up with a smile. She challenged projects, our team, and me to do better, to be better.

Natalie, I don’t even know where to begin. You have supported both me, Chad, our pups, and our children over the years. Your servant heart and laughter is contagious and truly what the world needs. I always tell people, “Everyone needs a “Natalie” in your life.” Your strength, boundaries, and willingness to step in to learn, grow, and support surpasses anyone whom I’ve ever met.

I also want to thank Kelly Waite, who has been a key catalyst at important moments within Jennasis and in my life. You’ve always seen the potential and vision within me. I heard your words loud and clear a few weeks ago, “Jenn, you’ve been writing everyone else’s story for the past 15 years…it’s now time to write yours.” It’s time to roar! 🦁Thank you for seeing me and believing in me!

There are an abundance of other team members who have functioned as experts in their field, bringing insight, creativity, laughter, and experience to our business. I am grateful to each of you for sharing your skills and expertise with our clients and our team. 

I am sure that I’m going to miss or forget a few team members who have been so pivotal in Jennasis these past 15 years, but I’m going to do my best. If I missed you, I apologize now. This is a big heartfelt 💕THANK YOU to: 

Jennasis also developed a Board to help bring different perspectives and guidance to the table, while allowing us to grow and evolve with the changing marketing landscape. I want to thank David Akers of Equalis Group, Laura Steinbrink of Emerald Built Environments, Mike De Stefano of INFORCE, Karen Hilderbrand of Twin Sisters Digital Media, Kevin Hudson of Keylan Management Group, Traci Miller of Color 3 Embroidery, Lance Healy of Freight Facts, and Ryan Mezinger of MetroHealth for your input, wisdom, and questions. For holding my hand and my heart with all my tears and laughter. I wouldn’t be here without each of you! I am deeply grateful.

Deep gratitude to my 10KSB tribe,  EOA/EO forum mates, coaches, and friends who also helped along the way! I want to thank:

And We’re Still Becoming

Perhaps my favorite thing about reaching 15 years is realizing that this isn’t a finish line.

We’re still becoming.

Our skillset continues to evolve. Our understanding of leadership continues to deepen. Our work continues to expand. And the intersection of strategy, creativity, business, relationships, and conscious leadership is opening an entirely new chapter for Jennasis.

Fifteen years gives us a beautiful reason to look backward with tremendous gratitude. But we’re looking forward with just as much curiosity.

Jennasis has never been built by one person. It has been shaped by every client who trusted us, every team member who poured their creativity and expertise into the work, every board member and advisor who challenged us to think bigger, every entrepreneurial organization that invested in our development, every community partner who opened a door, and every friend and family member who supported this journey behind the scenes.

To everyone who has been part of the first 15 years, thank you for helping us build Jennasis. Thank you for allowing us to grow with you. Thank you for teaching us. Thank you for challenging us. Thank you for referring us, believing in us, working alongside us, and sometimes reminding us why we started in the first place. Most of all, thank you for being part of the story that brought Jennasis from an idea 15 years ago to the business and community we are today.

And to those we haven’t met yet: We can’t wait to see what magic we can create together next. 🪄New things are on our horizon. .We cannot wait to emerge into 2027 with our new offerings, new beginnings, and taking business past the Genesis of Jennasis. Our biggest impact at Jennasis is to help leaders grow, heal, and have a lot of flipping fun along the way! 

Want to be part of our next adventure? We’d love to connect. Reach us at digitalmarketing@jennasisassociates.com.