Meet Jenn Whitmer | Keynote & TEDx Speaker, Coach, Joy-Bringer

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

Hi Jenn, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Leaders needed help. So many organizations were falling apart. Including mine.

I curled up sobbing on my grey couch, doing that ugly cry. I experienced the ripple effect of self-doubt and lack of self-awareness. The consequences of a boss who compensated for his insecurities and lack of skill by gaslighting and telling us how unskilled and ineffective we were. By objective measures of success, they were lies. And yet, I sat on that grey couch crippled by the belief that he was right: I was a failure with no business being a leader.

After 20 years in education, I left to explore new ways to use my speaking, coaching, and collaborating skills. I interviewed other leaders I admired. What did people need in a leader? What problems were common? What could make our life at work more human? How could I prevent toxicity in other places?

I discovered across industries and organizations, leaders struggled with two significant areas: conflict and self-awareness. Not only did this mirror my toxic experience, but I also knew I had the skills required to support leaders in gaining self-awareness, improving communication, and solving conflict.

So I took my degrees in communication, culture and leadership, added a certification in Enneagram coaching, and started speaking on conflict resolution, communication and self-awareness skills. I saw my own journey of healing and growth with the Enneagram, and I knew this personality tool could transform leaders, their teams, and their cultures.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Who talks about conflict and personal motivations like avoiding betrayal and laughs?? I help people look at deep parts of themselves about heavy topics, but I bring joy and lightness to the work. I believe play and laughter are life essentials —not just because fun is in my bones, but because research shows we learn more and retain information when we laugh.

But the thing about joy…it has deep roots that are formed in the dark. This journey from sobbing on a grey coach to the TEDx stage has been work.

I literally grew up in the world of education. I played teacher with my barbies embarrassingly long and moved on to a degree in music education. I loved teaching middle school kids. I know…we’re an odd bunch! What I learned is we all get stuck a little bit stuck in junior high. And if I could create a classroom culture of joy and respect with 50 13- and 14-year-old boys in my choir, I had skills that could help others!

But, man, moving into an entirely new business space was terrifying. I had to learn new business skills. I invested in courses and coaches. I had to try and fail. I had to face my own personal pain from a toxic environment. I had to just start.

I can remember making my first speaker reel with iPhone video clips from two free workshops. I was applying for an actual keynote at a big conference and the application required a reel. I recorded a 15-second intro to who I was, spliced it together in iMovie with those clips and hit upload on the application. Bless it.

But every step into bravery brought a new audience or a new client that started to thrive. They were changing. Workplaces were solving problems with efficiency and dignity. People were writing me to say I’d changed their life. What a humbling moment. My own bravery in stepping into a scary space was supporting others in becoming more peaceful and confident.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Y’all, St. Louis is a hidden gem! Not even sure where to start!

Of course, the Arch grounds, a Cardinals game and Six Flags are great, but the region has so much more!

I love all the free cultural organizations we have here. Forest Park is beautiful and larger than Central Park in New York (I think it’s required to mention that if you live in St. Louis!). The zoo, the art museum and the science center are all award-winning destinations and a blast with adults or kids. The Muny outdoor theatre puts on excellent musicals each summer and the Boathouse is a great little restaurant in the park.

If you’re hanging in the Lou for a week, you must visit the Hill for great Italian food and a glimpse into the century-old Italian-immigrant community. Gioia’s Deli and Viviano’s are divine, and Missouri Bakery Company will serve you divine cannoli. And Yogi Bera’s house is around the corner! Near the Hill is the fabulous Botanical Gardens.

In the city, Jazz at the Bistro has great food and live jazz downtown near the Symphony and the Fox Theatre. The National Blues Museum and the World Chess Hall of Fame are great specialty visits. A must-visit is the playground of the City Museum. For adults and kids! A Ferris wheel on the roof and climb to a rooftop school bus.

The Demar Loop has great local restaurants: Salt and Smoke (bourbon flight anyone?), Fitz’s Rootbeer, United Provisions, Mi Ranchito and the famous Blueberry Hill with Chuck Berry’s statue.

Laumeier Sculpture Park, the Magic House, and the Transportation Museum are all close together for a fun family outing further in the county.

And other fabulous local places to eat: Fozzie’s Sandwiches, Sugar Fire Bar-B-Q and Sweets, Robust Wine Bar, Five Star Burgers, Union Loafers, Taste Bar, Tai Ke… Goodness. So many great places!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m so grateful to my husband who cheered, encouraged and worked to support this work. He is the ultimate BTS hype-man. My March Girls and the Coffee With Kim crew have been nothing but support and love in this adventure.

I also would not be here without a course I took, Mic Drop Workshop by Jess Ekstrom, a suite of courses from The Social Bungalow and my personal speaker coach, Sally Z of Be Moved.

Sally has helped me improve my business and has been an amazing coach for two years. She provided community and helped me take my teaching and lesson skills and transform them into powerhouse keynotes and dynamic workshops. I would not be here without her.

And finally, a person I’ve watched from afar, Annie F. Downs. Annie made the move from education to writing and speaking with grace and joy. Hearing her talk about her journey into the Enneagram and watching her career unfold gave me a picture of what this life could be — doing what I love and helping people flourish.

Website: https://jennwhitmer.com

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

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jennwhitmer

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenn_whitmer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennwhitmerspeaks

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2-DJeF4oY7ImMFDryRZZ-A