My Bumble Bizz One Connection Who Transformed My Career

Meet Jenny Sweeney Designs
Jennifer Lake Jenny Sweeney Bumble Bizz

Meet Jenny Sweeney of Jenny Sweeney Designs, one of the most colorful and creative people I’ve ever met. Sure, most people know her as a successful entrepreneur, wonderful mother, and amazing friend. However, I know her as the “Bumble Bizz One Connection.” Jenny Sweeney transformed my life and altered the direction of my career path.

Bumble Bizz One Connection

Months ago, Bumble Biz, a company that helps members grow their careers through networking, asked me a question. “Who was the one connection who changed your career?” Specifically, Jenny came to mind!

Jenny Sweeney Studio Libertyville
Jenny Sweeney Paintings

How Do I Know Jenny Sweeney?

In summary, Jenny was one of my very first PR clients! As a stylish stationery designer, Jenny dreams up the most beautiful, clever, hand-glittered greeting cards. In 2014, I began working with her as her main publicist. It was a dream come true!

Shag Throw Pink Hello Pillow

Notably, my job was to secure local, regional, and national press placements and celebrity fans. We were like two peas in a pod! At the time, most other clients overlooked me because of my age.

Bumble Bizz One Connection

On the other hand, Jenny made me feel valued. Furthermore, she gave me unabashed creative freedom on her account. In fact, she truly allowed me to direct her integrated communications strategy as I saw fit.

Looking back, her trust was a gift. Truly, Jenny set the tone for what client collaborations should look like. Everything we collaborated on was rooted in trust, positivity, kindness, and encouragement.

Jenny Sweeney Interior Design

Fortunately, her creativity and our efforts lead to big things for her business. For example, she landed a major retail deal with Target! Plus, we started to gain a celebrity fan follow. National media placements rolled in. Above all, we established an ongoing partnership with Golden Globe and Emmy-winner, Mariska Hargitay.

Years later, I still remember sitting with Jenny in Mariska’s beautiful NYC apartment to talk about the collaboration. All I could think? “Wow, look how far we’ve come!”

What I Learned from Jenny

During the years we worked together, I learned so many lessons from Jenny. Therefore, I compiled some of the best takeaways and insights below. Hopefully, this sparks ideas and/or inspires you in your career!

Jenny Sweeney Tiny Figurines

Character and Integrity > Your Brand or Business

Indeed, the best entrepreneurs and co-workers value their character over cash. Yes, we all have different views of what it means to be successful. In the end, I hope my colleagues and clients see me as a woman of integrity. Furthermore, I want them to be seen as a leader who cared more about treating others well vs. making money. Jenny truly instilled this philosophy in me.

Jenny Sweeney is selfless and kind. Chiefly, she’s constantly looking for ways to give back to others. For example, she hires stay-at-home moms to hand-glitter her greeting cards. By doing so, she provides jobs for friends or family in need of extra monetary support.

Don’t Run From Something, Run To Something

After struggling at a former agency, I chatted with Jenny about the issues. Friends, she was SO helpful. Beyond listening to each and every word, she gave me concrete advice. Simply put, “don’t run from something, run to something.”

In other words, she encouraged me to find a firm with executives who valued my vision. Therefore, I left and later joined Zapwater (where I still work 11+ years today). Overall, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.

Jenny Sweeney Designs Libertyville

Embrace Color and Creativity

Fortunately, I live more colorfully and creatively thanks to Jenny being in the world. She embraces all hues. Furthermore, she surrounds herself with them in every aspect of her life, including her workspace, studio, home, closet and beyond.

Interior Design Libertyville Illinois

Keep Your Feet on the Ground and Creativity in the Clouds

Stay humble. While Jenny’s business skyrocketed, she never let it go to her head. Furthermore, she allowed her creativity to flourish. No idea was too big, no concept was too wild. Throughout the entire process, Jenny remained completely grounded. Love that!

Jenny Sweeney Designs Studio Libertyville
Jennifer Lake Mary Katrantzou
Jenny Sweeney Libertyville House

Imitation Isn’t Flattering; It’s the Enemy of Innovation.

Jenny knows no limits when it comes to innovation, and she’s especially good at remaining fiercely loyal to her vision. Granted, competitors consistently try to imitate her work. In many cases, they stole her ideas as they struggled to find their voice. Naturally, Jenny was fluent in all things “Jenny,” and she remains laser-focused on her point of view.

Jenn Lake Jenny Sweeney

Embrace the Pivot

Over the years, I’ve watched Jenny transform her company into a lifestyle brand. In particular, it’s evolved from a small stationery studio into a full-fledge company, offering other product categories, creative classes at her shop, and even interior design and branding. Naturally, everything she touches ends up sparkling.

Jenny Sweeney Artist Studio

One Connection Bumble Bizz

Looking to find your One Connection? If so, I recommend downloading Bumble Bizz, which gives women the opportunity to make the first move in business. In fact, the app has nearly 20 million users. Additionally, it’s incredibly simple to set up.

Moving forward, I want to be a resource for others. Notably, to mentor, encourage and to help shape careers. Surely, it’s always wonderful to “pay it forward.” In summary, my success is due to Jenny, and so many other women.

In view of all of this, who’s your “one connection?” Have you reached out to tell them? If not, I highly recommend you do so! Also, how will you be one for someone else? Life is too short, and it’s important to pay it forward.

Side note: If you love my multicolor striped jacket, visit this blog post for all of the details. Thanks to Bumble Bizz for partnering on this post. Collaborations like these help make Style Charade possible. 

Jennifer Lake Bumble Bizz

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  1. C
    Carrie Colbert wrote:

    Love love love everything about this, Jenn! What a great relationship you are so fortunate to have. Thanks for sharing the lessons with all of us.

    More color please,
    Carrie
    http://www.carriecolbert.com

    Published 1.8.18 · Leave a Reply
    • J
      Jenn Lake wrote:

      Thanks friend! Means a ton coming from you, given your corporate background!

      Published 1.9.18 · Leave a Reply
  2. A
    Amy wrote:

    Loved reading this post Jenn! Very encouraging and inspiring for women entrepreneurs like us!

    Published 1.8.18 · Leave a Reply
  3. D
    Dana Mannarino wrote:

    Jenn, this post was so inspiring. I loved hearing more about your relationship with Jenny. I can totally see how she’s directly influenced your brand and your work ethic. I also can 100% see you being this person to MANY people and that’s why I love ya!

    The Champagne Edit

    Published 1.8.18 · Leave a Reply
  4. L

    This post was unbelievably inspiring! It’s wonderful to hear more of your story – I always love your photographs but I’d love to hear more from you in the copy for sure, you seem like such an interesting person! Bumble Bizz sounds amazing, downloading now! xx

    Your newest breakfast obsession is easy, delicious and gourmet! Check out my newest post now… Blush & Bordeaux

    Published 1.8.18 · Leave a Reply
  5. M
    Mary Fremeau wrote:

    I love reading more about you and your background!! So awesome!! And you and Jenny seem like the perfect match– she is as bright and cheerful with her colorful designs as you are! Love this so much!! I think my “one connection” would me my college secondary education and English professor, Dr. Green, who started as a high school English teacher in the Chicago burbs, became a principal, a superintendent and then a college professor! She is still my mentor to this day!
    xxoo
    Mary
    http://www.BelleOnTrend.com

    Published 1.9.18 · Leave a Reply
    • J
      Jenn Lake wrote:

      Thanks Mary – so sweet of you to comment! I love hearing more about your One Connection – yay!

      Published 1.10.18 · Leave a Reply

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