The best way to introduce Jennifer Brinkman is to quote one of her favorite learned life lessons: “Be open to new experiences.” She explains this by saying, “If you can’t adapt and change you are going to fail miserably.” This life lesson seems to sum up most of her whole career.
Jennifer’s life has been full of transitions and change. Being the oldest child of a single mother, Jennifer grew up poor and had to work throughout high school and college. In high school she was connected to the cooperative program which allowed her work at a real job for 7 hours after school. While attending High School, Jennifer got a job with ComData in Nashville. This introduced her to the money transfer and transaction processing in the casino industry. As that market changed due to technological advances and new owners, Jennifer was able to work in New Jersey, Colorado and back to Tennessee . From all of these transitions and moves Jennifer was able to learn new lifestyles, new people, new religions, music, mindsets, and changing technology. “From all of the adaptations I grew immensely as a person and as an employee; that growth has made all the difference in my life and in my business.”
Her inspiration for forming her own company came when her boss asked her in 1990 what her business goals were, and much to her own surprise, she responded with, “to leave this company and start my own business.” This was the first time she had ever verbalized this thought! From here she began her search for business opportunities and contacts.
Jennifer’s most surprising lesson she learned in her business was, “that people really look to you for guidance! I never thought I was a good role model, and still don’t. But you do realize that your customers, vendors and employees want to know your moral compass, that you have a plan, and that you are keeping their interest in mind? Words and actions are so important.” She says still says she struggles with engaging the filter between her brain and mouth.
Her biggest business struggle has been letting go of the day to day things that need to be done. “We have exceptionally talented employees and they can do those things much better than I can. As long as we have communicated the company culture effectively, they will implement it.”
When asked for the name of the best business book she ever read, she replied, “The Dilbert Principles of Management. I still pick it up, read it, and thumb through it. “Dilbert uses humor, and for me, that’s how I remember these lessons.” Jennifer says that the cartoons illustrate a key to understanding how each department from HR, Sales, and Marketing interacts and is perceived by one another. With a little humor and humility these lessons will help you become a better coach, manager, employee and coworker.
Interviewed and Written by Patsy Hatfield Lawson, Front Porch Presentations