Meet Jennifer Burwell | Business Strategist & Trauma Integration Practitioner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Burwell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
The single most important decision I have ever made that contributes to my success is simply to show up every day. Consistency is much more impactful than one-off herculean efforts. Each day I make the decision to show up for the day by allowing whatever needs to unfold to unfold. I set the intention for myself to approach the day with an open and curious heart. You would be surprised by how far you can get by just showing up! Every time I am nervous about a new client meeting, a networking event, or a new situation I just remind myself that all I ask from myself is to show up. If it is terrible, I give myself permission to leave. However, most of the time once my foot is in the door or the conversation begins, I am so glad I put forth the effort.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Mother & Founder Co was created to help people who are experiencing change and are looking for growth, healing & transformation. The only constant thing is change…and change is really difficult for most people. When remaining where you are is more painful than the unknown, change happens. *And* Mother & Founder is there to help you create, maintain, and navigate the changes you wish to make. In addition to the amazing community of women, we provide trauma healing sessions, clarity courses designed to reimagine what’s possible, individual coaching, and small business strategy masterminds.

This company was created out of my own necessity. I desperately wanted to be seen for all that I am at work, but I was struggled with how to honor all the individual parts and pieces of me. I know that being a working professional and a mother is a strength, but it often felt like a weakness. I was constantly feeling guilty that my attention and time were split. I felt like I was failing at both, motherhood and my career. Then 2020 happened which put everything I had been feeling in a pressure cooker. As I began to search for a way to create a more sustainable life for myself and my family,
I realized a few things:
1) Big change can happen in small shifts over time. I put together an action plan and broke it into small pieces. Soon the momentum started to take over.
2) If I changed the way I thought about something new possibilities appeared.
3) Change is really hard. So many times I sat on my bathroom floor and sobbed.
4) Entrepreneurship aligned with my life goals and vision for the future.
5) I also knew I couldn’t do it alone. As I began to talk to others, many women in my circle were also not allowing themselves to dream or start a business because they didn’t see how it was possible while in the thick of motherhood.

I kept thinking there has to be another way. Eventually, I set out to create another way. To help women realize that entrepreneurship and motherhood are possible.

However, there are a few critical elements needed to make it possible.

1) A strong community & support system – This is why I have created the Mother & Founder Co Community for women to share, support, and of course, refer each other.
2) Access to education, tools & resources – I have taken my 13-year career helping mid-large size companies grow and curated these offerings to the needs of our small business community so small businesses have the same tools and education as the larger institutions.
3) Continual Personal Development – In order for us to show up as our best selves, we need to invest in healing, learning and growing. Trauma Integration changed my life, and I am so honored to help many other people experience the same thing.

It’s definitely not easy and there are days when I want to give up. But then I get an email or text from an excited client sharing a win or I have the privilege to hold space for someone having a rough day. It reminds me of my personal purpose. I was put here to help others heal and reveal themselves. A kinder, more equitable world starts with each of us. I predict that women entrepreneurs will solve some of the world’s biggest problems in the coming decades and I am so honored to play a tiny role in this incredible story.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh man! This is a hard question since we haven’t been getting out much. But a few of my favorite places, I’m a Gilbert Girl so we’d start at Joe’s Farm Grill for breakfast and then of course swing by Air Guitar for some delicious treats. Maybe a late lunch at the Queen Creek Olive Mill and then finish with a glass of wine at Garage East. If it was the weekend, we’d also swing by the Gilbert Farmers Market. I’d also book a private Pilates class with Cynshine Yoga & Pilates – Cyndi is the best! A hike at South Mountain or the Riparian Reserve would also make the list!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh my goodness! So many people deserve a shoutout. I would not be anywhere without the love and support of so many. My husband is an amazing support for me. He happily takes over bath time or kid wrangling when I need to take an evening call. He is my biggest cheerleader when I am feeling down. He never complains about my long hours and happily listens to my latest idea.

Another person to who I owe so much is my mentor & coach, Karen Nowicki of Phoenix Business RadioX and Deep Impact Leadership. Karen helped me heal from past trauma, release the inner Jen that was hiding for so many years and find my voice again. She has held my hand as I created the best version of myself. She is also amazing at calling me out when I am telling myself a story and holds me accountable to the impact I aspire to create. She is an incredible human being, and I am so lucky to have her on my side.

Website: www.motherandfounderco.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motherandfounderco/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-burwell/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherandfounderco

Image Credits
Lee Media