Episode 280: Owning Your Destiny with Jennifer Openshaw, CEO of Girls With Impact

Early experiences often shape our entire lives. The inspiring story of our guest - Jennifer Openshaw - shows what’s possible to achieve when you choose to own your destiny.

Being a child of divorce and watching her mother struggle as a single mom to make ends meet shaped Jennifer’s entire career journey. Her first “real” job was working as a maid in a motel while her mother worked two full-time jobs as a waitress to support the family. At an early age, she decided to make it on her own and to make a big impact.

Now as CEO of Girls With Impact, the nation’s leading business education program for young women, she empowers women all around the world with the business and tech skills to become future leaders.

Jennifer’s story illustrates the power of vision, determination and tenacity in your pursuits. She achieved her ambitions by looking at how other people got to where they are and always surrounding herself with a community of next level peers.

She has broken barriers and paved the way for others to follow. 

Visit gobeyondbarriers.com, where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Jennifer.

Highlights: [02:18] What shaped Jennifer’s young life [04:19] Jennifer’s young career choices [08:05] Pursuing passions or pursuing money [14:44] Looking for opportunities [15:57] Dealing with fear of rejection or failure [18:17] Lessons learned as an entrepreneur [24:09] Gen Z in the workforce and the benefit of failing [27:36] Ready for the “what if” [30:05] Women when it comes to finances [32:14] About Girls With Impact [34:56] Taking her mission to the next level [43:57] Companies attracting entrepreneurs and Gen Z [49:21] Lightning round questions

Quotes: “Sometimes the way to move up is to move out.” – Jennifer Openshaw

“I’m a believer in not taking a leap until you know what you’re leaping to.” – Jennifer Openshaw

“It shows people something when you’re willing to raise your hand.” – Jennifer Openshaw

Lightning Round Questions:

What book has greatly influenced you? - “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran

What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - "If there’s a will there’s a way.” And “The answer will reveal itself.”

What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - What leapfrog move can take you to where you want to go?

What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? - Being grateful every day.

What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Diana Ross.

About Jennifer Openshaw:

Jennifer Openshaw – called “one of the most outspoken proponents for empowering women to control their financial lives” by CBS MarketWatch – is CEO of Girls With Impact, the nation’s leading business education program for young women.

Her expertise and national reputation as a financial innovator have made her a valuable ally in the media – from “Oprah,” “Dr. Phil” and “Today” to CNN, Fox and CNBC.

At the age of 14, Jennifer took on her first “real” job as a maid in a motel while her mother worked two full-time jobs as a waitress to support the family.

In 2000, Jennifer was named one of the Internet’s 25 Rising Stars as a result of her work as CEO and founder of Women’s Financial Network, a company created as a result of her experience in the industry and as the “Money Expert” for KCBS-TV.

The company was acquired by Wall Street legend Muriel Siebert (NYSE: SIEB). Jen’s financial industry experience includes senior roles at Bank of America, leading pension advisor Wilshire Associates, and BankOne (now JP Morgan Chase). She also headed the 60-year-old Financial Women’s Association and, most recently, was Partner and Chief Marketing Officer at global consulting firm Mercer, where she led the When Women Thrive research platform. She started her career in the California State Treasurer’s Office.

Drawing from her experience in Silicon Valley, Wall Street and Main Street in tech, education, and the financial industry, Jennifer has been a fixture in the media. Her roles have included “Money Expert” for KCBS-TV, host of ABC Radio’s Winning Advice, and columnist for Dow Jones’ MarketWatch. She’s the author of three books: The Socially Savvy Advisor (2015); The Millionaire Zone (Hyperion), based on research about the social networking strategies of the wealthy; and What’s Your Net Worth? (Perseus), turned into a Public Television Show.

Jennifer has been an advisor to Fortune 500 firms, including Microsoft, where she also served as national spokesperson. She writes regularly for Dow Jones, USA Today and as a LinkedIn Influencer.

Jennifer holds an MBA in finance and BA from UCLA. She is a member of the New York Economic Club and was appointed by the California Governor to the Commission on California Government Efficiency.

Links: Website: https://www.girlswithimpact.org/ LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenopenshaw/ LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/girlswithimpact/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlswithimpact/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jopenshaw Twitter: https://twitter.com/GirlsWithImpact