Meet Jennifer Otero | Business Podcaster

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

Hi Jennifer, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
First of all, I want to thank you for having me! I appreciate you guys sharing the stories of the community. So, after graduating, I got my first 9-5 job and then covid hit. I could only go to work and stay at home, so I had a lot of free time on my hands. I became obsessed with podcasts! Like true crime, comedy, business and one day it just hit me. I decided to create my own. I always had the idea of starting a business. That’s why I studied Business Entrepreneurship at ASU so I thought maybe if I interviewed entrepreneurs and other local business owners, I could get inspired to start my own business. I also wanted to network and learn some tips and tricks along the way. I have also been very shy and introverted my whole life, so I thought creating a podcast where I could show the real me would help with that as well.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I created Jen Next Door Podcast as a way to share the stories of local business owners and entrepreneurs in Arizona that provide an environmental or social impact. We talk about how they started their business, dig deeper into their human story, advice they offer and how they are impacting our society. I’m excited to continue to grow this community and learn more about the place where I live and around the world. I want others to be inspired by my guests’ stories and maybe go out and start their own business or give back in some way.

I have heard from many people that it’s easy to start a podcast. If you want a quality podcast and have guests on your show it’s actually a lot of work. I am a one woman show, so I learned how to record, edit and distribute to all platforms. It takes work to research guests you want, email them, wait for them to reply, set up times and finally meet them. Then after that you still need to promote it and do it all over again. Even with all of that, I still enjoy it. For me, the process is actually fun and when I finish an episode it’s so exciting to post it!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First thing, before the day gets any hotter, I would take them on a nice hike to South Mountain or Camelback. We can get breakfast at Daily Jam or RnR in Scottsdale. I love art so we would also stop at the Phoenix Museum, then walk on Roosevelt to see all the murals and galleries. We would also check out Desert Botanical Garden and ride bikes around Tempe Town Lake. We will get lunch at The Vig Filmore, Culinary Dropout, or The Giving Tree Cafe. For nightlife it would be at Old Town Scottsdale or Downtown Phoenix at The Duce, Valley Bar, or Cobra Arcade Bar. I also like searching for speakeasies around the city. We definitely have to stop at some locations up north, like the Grand Canyon, The Wave and definitely can’t miss beautiful Sedona! Sedona is a vortex, giving off such a healing and energizing vibration! I love it there!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many shoutouts I want to give. I would say first and most importantly is my family. They have always been supporting and been by my side when I needed them the most.

I also want to thank each guest that has been on my show. When you start a podcast from scratch it’s difficult to find people that are willing to help you in that journey. Rejection is really hard! So, I really appreciate it when kind business owners, and entrepreneurs are willing to share their story with me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I’d also like to thank each and every one of my podcast listeners. I never thought people would actually care about what I have to say or be interested in my interviews. The support means so much to me and I hope I can continue to educate and entertain many more throughout my journey!

Website: https://www.jennextdoorpodcast.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferotero/

Other: Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/5uxlppk1Xcw6DNsYQ97iAQ?si=cabde1c2b0884b0e Apple Podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jen-next-door-podcast/id1572229047

Image Credits
Marika Photography