Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica (Jess) Henning.
Hi Jess, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m a wife to my high school sweetheart, busy mom of four boys, and the owner of a branding and design firm here in SA named JH Creative. Back in 2018, while juggling all these roles, I got to a point where I had my Google calendar, a business goal planner and a personal planner to keep track of ALL THE THINGS – plus notebooks for daily business tasks and client meetings. I drove myself crazy with just trying to keep up with everything!
When I found out I was unexpectedly expecting baby #4 in early 2019, that was it for me. I wondered if there was a better way for people like myself – a self-proclaimed ‘mompreneur’ who is juggling multiple roles in life.
As a designer, I knew if I could create a daily tool to help me map out my goals and keep both my personal and professional life together in one place – then I’d be more intentional with how I accomplished things – and ultimately, would be able to spend more of my time on the people and things that matter to me most.
I wanted to create a more purposeful solution, for not only myself, but everyone else who desires to live on purpose – because at the end of the day, we have just one life to live – and so, the Purpose Planner by JH Creative™ was born!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Haha – no! This journey has had MANY twists and turns. My experience was being a service-based entrepreneur, and here I was, trying my best to create a new brand product-based business. It’s a whole different world! There has been a major learning curve. From figuring out what the heck a COGS is to building a website that handles a shopping cart system and then determining how many planners I was going to have produced (aka betting on my mad marketing skills), PLUS building out an Ambassador program – something I’d never done before!
Thankfully, I’ve had an incredible coach and other people who have poured into me throughout this process to make it all possible. And a lot of my experience has come in handy too – from already understanding how to work with print companies to being able to create and design the website myself without having to outsource any of it. On the other hand, that meant countless hours on my part to get The Purpose Planner off the ground and running.
However – I will say that even though there have been many lessons learned – it’s been such a fun journey and I’ve learned more about myself and what I’m capable of! The best part has been creating the amazing community of women from all over the U.S. who are living in their purpose! This is really where the magic is happening.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
First and foremost, at The Purpose Planners, we are about people. We are working to grow a community of purposeful PLANNERS who are making a difference in their own lives and the lives of others that they interact with every day. We also create lifestyle tools and resources to help busy women practically apply purpose and intentionality to their daily rhythms. We’re known for our signature product – the Purpose Planner, which is a daily goal planner that helps you create a roadmap for your goals by breaking them down into monthly, weekly and daily actionable steps.
What sets us apart is that many planner companies give you the tools to “be productive,” but then leave you after January 1st to figure out the rest of the year on your own. At The Purpose Planners, we want to come alongside you, encourage you and continue to offer new insights, share resources and content to help keep you on track with your goals and even offer the permission you may need to hear to give yourself grace in times where you feel like you’ve gotten off track due to life happening.
I’m most proud of how we help create this community and sense of accountability. Nearly a year ago, we launched our first Goal Gathering session. Since then, we have made these a monthly event for those who are part of our community. These hour-long Zoom sessions are where we gather to not only discuss goals we’re working on, roadblocks we’ve come across, new ideas and things to try, but we celebrate our progress too! We know that life’s not all about checking off the boxes (though that IS a good feeling) but it’s about having fun along the way!
If you’re looking for encouragement and accountability and want to connect with other women who get it, you can join our free community, currently hosted through a private Facebook group, at www.facebook.com/groups/thepurposeplanners.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was young. I started my first custom stationery business in the fourth grade called Rainbow Printing. My father was a master craftsman who ran his own business for part of my childhood, and he encouraged my entrepreneurial spirit. Each summer I always seemed to be dreaming up ways to make money – ha-ha!
I also loved writing. I kept journals from a very young age and I continue to write to this day. (More details to come on that!) In high school and college, I thought I would be a reporter or a magazine writer. Photography has been another passion of mine.
I couldn’t pinpoint what I felt in my childhood, but as an adult, I realize I’m very much an extroverted introvert (my term). I love being with and helping other people, for a time, but it drains my energy, so I know I need to refuel with time either working alone or having some downtime. Which can be quite challenging these days with four young boys running around the house!
In all those interests though and throughout growing up, my faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior has been my foundation. My world was rocked when my mom passed away from breast cancer when I was 13, and it’s by the grace of God (and a lot of really good counseling) that I’m still here making a difference in this world today. I KNOW that I was made on purpose, with a purpose. That’s another part of the story behind our brand’s name and something I’m proud to share about.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.thepurposeplanners.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepurposeplanners/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepurposeplanners | https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepurposeplanners
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ir2yn9ez8E&t=27s
Image Credits
Melissa Raelynn Photography
JH Creative
