Launching Your Business Online With Jen Groover
CEO, Jen Groover Productions
www.jengroover.com
www.butlerbag.com
www.launcherscafe.com
www.toptipsforcreativity.com
www.jengroovernews.com
www.mcneillbrighterminds.com
www.whatifandwhynot.com
Don’t try to put Jen Groover into one business category—it’s just not possible. Jen spans multiple brands, products, media, and markets. She says she doesn’t want to fit into one box—she wants to thrive in all of them. And she manages to do just that.
Jen has already developed such products as the Bulter Bag (a compartmentalized handbag), one of the fastest growing handbag companies in history; product lines that include accessories, dolls, clothing, parental aids, and games; and mentoring blogs. She also has a television program slated for the fall and a book launch in 2009. Her enviable publicity record includes ABC’s “Money Matters,” CNBC’s “The Big Idea With Donny Deutsch,” O, The Oprah Magazine, Success, Entrepreneur, and Redbook.
While in a Ladies Who Launch Incubator, Jen observed how many women with multiple passions felt they had to choose just one. Her advice—you don’t have to. She encourages women to join LWL Incubators to identify their passions, and then find a way to live all of them.
What we learned from Jen: “No matter what stage of the game you’re in, you still have those days that challenge your fortitude, perseverance, and strength. They are your tests—if you don’t pass those tests, you don’t get to the next level.”
Slip Into Something Less Comfortable
“My mother was a woman ahead of her time. She would always push me out of my comfort zone. I will do the same thing with my daughters. I do it with my employees. If you didn’t feel uncomfortable today, you didn’t grow.”
From the Classroom to the Boardroom
“I graduated in December of ‘95 with a degree in education and psychology from Kutztown University. I didn’t want to be a teacher in the traditional classroom sense. Throughout college I had always been an athlete, and got into fitness as a full-time career. I co-owned a successful gym in Wilmington, Delaware, called the Groove Shop. We also did corporate wellness programs and lifestyle management with companies like MBNA and DuPont.”
Hitting the Wall
“I was a fitness competitor working many hours, over-training and teaching three to five aerobics classes a day. When I was 27, I got really ill and my kidneys, liver, and heart starting shutting down—basically I had a ‘come to Jesus’ moment where I had to look at who I was and what I was doing. My doctor said you need to change your life or you’re not going to have children and you’re not going to be healthy.”
The Butler Bag is proof that if you open your eyes the answer to an everyday problem is RIGHT in front of you! Good for Jen! Good for us!
Jen -
I think your “If Your Competition Is Going Right, Turn Left” is incredibly valuable advice. I LOVE the fact that you choose to opt out of trade shows. Thank you for sharing this. It completely confirms a conversation I’ve had in the past few weeks.
Waiting and going directly to our customers is great advice. I’ve made up my mind, I too will opt out of trade shows.
Thank you.
Amanda Houck
founder
http://www.MySignaure.TV
Very inspirational - thanks for some great insights! There is opportunity out there - you need to find what motivates you and do it.
And I love the fact that Jen has gone successfully in so many ways. It makes you realize that you don’t have to stick to one path!
Kristin Miller
Owner/Founder
Garden Girl Natural Skin Care
http://www.gardengirlskincare.com
Hi Jen.
Thanks for sharing your story and advice. You stated you had friends at QVC. Without those friends, how would you have launched the butler bag idea? It seems to me that connections are so important. It can be a little frustrating for those of us with no “inside” connections.
Kim Link
I agree with Kim Link’s post. I am curious how the rest of us would go about getting into a “swag suite at the ‘Miami Vice’ movie premiere.” I certainly don’t want to down-play Jen’s accomplishments, but it doesn’t sound like something just anyone could pull off without all the connections. Maybe Jen could share how she was able to align herself with all the right people?
Carie Dobson
Everything Jen had to say was exactly what I needed to hear today. I’ve been working on “Licensing” research information for some time now. I also thought this would get my brand out quicker and hearing Jen say just that was so validating.
Also, the information about trade shows and knock offs again was validating for me. I’m trying to align myself with the proper connections and of course I would love for her to share some of her stories for inspriation. Jen I can’t wait till your book comes out.
Darcee
Press and media exposure are key to launching a new
product as proven here.
I love your success story.
Celeste Massullo
owner/inventor
http://www.toilet-tattoos.com
This post was just the kick in the butt I needed to rejuvenate my efforts, so thank you!
In addition to finding you inspirational, I also love your products! I’ve already added your Butler bag to my wish list for Christmas, and I’m particularly intrigued by your Leader Girlz dolls. When are these coming out? I’ve never been much of a Barbie fan, and I’ve got some little girls to shop for… 
I love success stories. Yes, she has connections that most of us don’t. But I’m assuming (as a newbie to this organization) that Ladies Who Launch can help with those networking needs. If you have a new product idea and are wondering about licensing, etc., some of your questions might be answered on edisonnation.com … just to mention a resource for Ladies if you haven’t been there before. Anyway, congratulations to Jen. Way to make your opportunity.
Getting the right connections is not something that just happens overnight. It requires getting out there, meeting people, and always promoting. It might have been only one connection that allowed Jen into a “swag suite at the ‘Miami Vice’ movie premiere.” But I would imagine there were 100’s of connections before that lead to that particular one. As she says, “So get out of the office. Make yourself known.” That’s how it works.
Jen, this was an inspiration. You remind me of Wonder Woman and Supper Mom all rolled into one. I have a sister very much like you – she makes me tired just listening to her “to do” list, and she makes me very glad we have her on our team. You go girl!
Brenda Stone
(aka Duchess O’Blunt of The Twisted Sisterhood)
http://www.thetwistedsisterhood.com
Thank you for sharing a beautifully simple story of success. I appreciate your wisdom regarding doing what may not be considered typical in your industry. Working within an established company, I have found that many of my best successes have come from working outside of the “direct sales” box. As soon as I saw myself and my knowledge as up to par with other consultant-type professional fields, it was easier to see my business as a service rather than sales. Thank you for the reminder about getting out and making connections.
Karen Murphy
http://www.marykay.com/karenmurphy
Jen,
Thanks for sharing your story. I especially like how you spoke about not having to choose just one of your passions, but thriving in all of them. Your advice on networking is also invaluable. If you are not out there telling people about your products or services, then no one will ever know about them.
I am definitely going to purchase one of your books asap!
Kandice Brooks
http://www.eventfullyyoursblog.com
Amazing Person! I had read about her before on another site a couple of years ago and she’s how I found out about Ladies Who Launch!!
I love the fact that Jen has been successful in so “many” ways! She is truly inspiring to those who believe that you can be a multi-launcher. 
http://www.consultingwithme.com
http://www.michellelliott.com
I love that Jen exercised all of her creative ideas and they worked. Yes, she had connection, but it was the products and her joy for creation that captured the interest. Jen has me thinking about finally launching my second product. Congratulations, Jen, on your achievements.
Argina Denton
http://www.hotchpotchgirls.com
I absolutely LOVE reading these inspiring stories!! They really build you up and give you encouragement that all dreams are possible. I think it is so important to have someone in your life that pushes you out of your comfort zone! My husband does that and boy is it uncomfortable but rarely do I regret it. I think that is what a good teacher does
I’m proud to be a launch junkie again, thank you Jen!
Bevla Reeves
http://www.hairconspiracy.com
I agree with Jen about the trade shows. I’ve never done one and probably never will. I go right to the retailers that I personally select to sell my products. This was a very interesting column and I appreciate all the advice.
Lisa Rogers, Owner
Aromatic Alternatives of New Orleans
http://www.aromaticalternatives.com
[...] Vieira (Meredith Vieira Dishes on Leadership, Family, and Her Career Blasts and Blunders) and Jen Groover, the woman behind the Butler Bag and other ventures. (Who knew she found her inspiration from her [...]
This has to be one of the most motivating stories that I’ve read so far. Thank you so much for sharing. Now I have even more ideas to really get exposure for my company!!!
Jana Stewart
Active Lifestyle Coach
http://www.janastewartfitness.com