Things don’t always turn out as we plan. Sometimes, against the odds, they actually turn out better. No one knows this better than Jaclyn Johnson, founder of online platform and IRL conference series, Create & Cultivate, and author of the brand new career book, WorkParty.
These days Jaclyn is on her A-game game, but it was a long climb to the top.
In her 20s, Jaclyn was on a fast track for corporate career success, but she had to regroup after being fired from a new role — in a new city with no support, no less. While some of us might have crumbled under the pressure and disappointment of ‘failure’, Jaclyn rose to the occasion, launched her own company and landed on Forbes’ 30 Under 30. Casual.
Jaclyn’s passion project turned multi-million dollar brand, Create & Cultivate, has become a cultural phenomenon in the creative community, helping to carve out a space for modern women in the working world to talk to each other and support one another in their journey up the ladder. Everyone from Chrissy Teigen to Lauren Conrad to our own Editor-In-Chief has moderated C&C panels.
Jaclyn’s debut book, WorkParty, is a fitting follow-up. Part memoir and part-career guidance manual, this brilliant book is mandatory reading for anyone trying to make a name for themselves and their work in these crazy times. Keep an eye out for the WorkParty Podcast coming out this fall!
We had Jaclyn take over our Instagram for the book launch and answer your questions about career, confidence and creativity! Check out her answers and bits of wisdom below…
Q: What is the biggest mistake new entrepreneurs make?
A: The biggest mistake new entrepreneurs make is not getting it in writing! Be sure to have your contracts in place. Make sure everything is signed off.
Q: Would you recommend starting a business with family or friends?
A: I think a lot of people start businesses with people they care about, are passionate about, or have like-minded interests. The reality is you have to set expectations out from the begining. Even if you’re sisters or brothers or whatever, you have to be able to but in a contract exactly what you want to know.
Q: What has been your greatest fear?
A: My biggest fear has always been failure. Obviously, you can’t expect to do everything perfectly. You have to embrace your fear and move on.
Q: What’s the best way to deal with creative burnout?
A: It happens, it totally happens. I think you just have to get offline for a little bit. Go on a hike, go on a walk, whatever it is that you need — and then you can get back to being on Pinterest.
