Jessica Lowery
Founder & CEO of The POWER of Elderberries
What inspired you to start your business?
Desperate moms of sick children and others wanting to prevent illness knocking at my front door to purchase a product they couldn’t find at any local retailer.
What challenges have you faced as a woman entrepreneur and how did you overcome them?
Being a full time Lecturer at Coastal Carolina University along with having three young children made leading my team particularly challenging. The area I had to grow in to overcome this challenge was setting aside my pride, releasing the need to “do it all,” and asking for help. My husband Jake has been my #1 cheerleader from the very beginning. Within 7 months of making my first order of elderberry syrup in our home kitchen he resigned from his financial planning career to support me on a new adventure of entrepreneurship. His willingness to jump in and help, wherever the need, is something I will never take for granted.
What advice would you give to other women entrepreneurs?
Ask for help! As women, we believe we can do it all. Four months into starting this business, I remember sitting on the couch with my husband, after we had put the kids to bed, and I looked at him and saying “you either have to quit your job or I am going to have to shut all of this down; I just can’t keep going like this.” To my surprise he said, “If we can find a commercial kitchen, you got it!” Today he takes the lead role in occupying our kids during the day, while not at school, so I can be focused on building the business. In addition, I reached out to friends who had skills and expertise, in areas that I do not, that have helped me excel the business leaps and bounds. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s a friend, neighbor, acquaintance or loved one, communicate openly about your needs and let God move.
What three traits define you?
Resourceful, Detail-oriented, and Task-oriented
What women inspire you?
Oprah Winfrey, Allie Casazza, and my mom.
How has being a WBENC-Certified WBE helped your business?
Being a WBENC-Certified WBE has opened another door of opportunity. Meeting new people, building brand awareness and networking with other women has been, and will continue to be, a blessing for growing the business. Learning what companies are looking for women-owned suppliers through WBENC has been eye-opening as well.
What do you see as the coolest or most important trend in your industry?
More and more people being open-minded to trying natural alternatives to not only stay well, but also to combat symptoms.
As a business owner, what keeps you up at night?
Did I make the right decision? I have learned a lot about myself in this role as CEO; one thing being that I can be very indecisive. I have tossed and turned countless nights wondering if I made the right decision. I will often get this motherly instinct if I know something needs to be addressed; it’s just the aftermath of whether I made the right decision or not. I never realized just how significant business decisions really are and how they impact every facet of your life.
What are the biggest obstacles you see for young female entrepreneurs?
Marriage and children. Balancing time together and growing a business along with being able to shut everything off and really be present has been a struggle for me.
What do you love about being a business owner?
Allowing my creativity to come to life. Also, being awestruck by the stories that customers share knowing that my product is enhancing their quality of life is the absolute BEST feeling! I also love having flexibility in my schedule, so I don’t miss out on important milestones in my children’s lives.
What’s the hardest part about being a business owner?
Giving constructive criticism. I’m learning new approaches to communicating with different personalities in the work environment.
How do you define success?
Overcoming challenges that inhibit personal and business growth.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
Follow your passion.
If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
Exercise, meditate, yoga, journal and read.
What are you reading or listening to now?
Scale: Seven Proven Principles to Grow Your Business and Get Your Life Back and The Courage to be Yourself
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I can’t remember, maybe my mom would know? In high school I wanted to be a Real Estate Agent, which led to going to college for a marketing degree. That quickly changed as self-discovery and opportunity presented itself, which led me to Health Promotion and teaching to entrepreneurship.
How do you unwind after a long workday?
Quality time with my husband and kids. Playing cards, riding bikes or playing outside are some of our favorite things to do together. Unwinding for me can also be driving alone, while sipping on coffee or kombucha and listening to Christian worship music.
What do you like about your workspace?
It brings great energy and I feel purpose, passion and excitement for what’s to come when I’m here.
Fill in the blank:
When I face a challenge, I... talk to God.
If I could go back in time, I would tell myself… fear, you don’t own me.
The one thing I couldn’t live without is… my family.
By this time next year, I will be… older, wiser and stronger.
The best thing that happened to me last week was… spending time with my two best friends. We picked up right where we left off and it felt so good to be in their presence.
To get my creative juices flowing, I… turn to Pinterest.
The power of elderberries
The POWER of Elderberries produces immune-boosting elderberry products made using premium organic ingredients and local raw honey. Potent, delicious, and effective. Kids LOVE it! Let nature do the healing!
