Jen Earle, NAWBO National CEO

Business

I have the best job ever. Every day, I get to work with an exceptional and inspirational group of women who comprise NAWBO’s National Board to further women’s entrepreneurship—something I am personally passionate about. More specifically, my role within NAWBO is to carry forth the mission of the organization, support the National Board and execute the strategic plan. The main focus of our mission is to ensure we are always serving our members and chapters leaders. This means I am always looking for new ways to help women succeed. What could be better than that?

At NAWBO, we are privileged to serve a diverse audience—women entrepreneurs in varying sectors, of varying sizes and at different stages in their business development. We work hard to bring diversity to our resources so that women entrepreneurs find what they need in NAWBO regardless of where they are in their business development. This means offering programming, education, resources and partnerships for all business stages.

Most importantly, NAWBO is a community that cares and shares. I constantly hear success stories, best practices, new ideas for partnerships and new approaches to business from our amazingly talented members.

Lifestyle

I try to work exercise and meditation into every day…clearing my mind and working off stress.  If I don’t do anything else, I at least walk my son to school every morning. This allows me an opportunity to connect with him before the day gets started, gives me fresh air and encourages me to really get outside of myself and be grateful for my life. On the walk home, I just think and reflect. It is like a pause button where everything has to stop for a minute.

I also am really conscious about what I eat to stay energized and healthy…but mostly, being a mom keeps me balanced—recognizing when to turn off to focus on my 11-year-old son, engaging with him, helping him with homework and being truly present for him.

Community

I feel passionately about giving and social responsibility, including imparting those values on to the next generation. I volunteer every month, whether it be at the local food bank or with a program called ONE OC, which is for families with young children to teach them the importance of giving back and introducing them to organizations in the community that offer support.  Additionally, after having those I love touched by cancer, I always try to donate/run in fundraisers dedicated to those causes.

When I was in college, I worked in a shelter for abused and runaway teenagers. It was probably one of the most profound experiences in my life. I credit that experience with learning my purpose—to give back, any way I can. A simple smile, a friendly hug, an encouraging word, donated time, resources…anything. My biggest lesson was to be the change I wanted to see in the world, to treat others how I would like to be treated and to live with purpose and do what I can to make my world a better place.