Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Lynn Robinson.
Hi Jennifer Lynn, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I started my career as a trial lawyer in the Philadelphia, PA region. After a near-death accident, I founded my own business, Purposeful Networking. It was a tough road because I suffered very serious physical injuries as well as other injuries including a TBI and PTSD in that accident. Today, I consult and speak across the country both in person and virtually.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
After my accident, I had several years of treatment for physical, cognitive, speech, and vestibular problems. I suffered a TBI and was having trouble with word finding, noise, light, stimuli, and more. I had multiple surgeries. It was very difficult to walk away from litigation and to be told I should reconsider a career that involved public speaking.
I started my own business because at the time I was not capable of being behind a desk at a traditional job anymore. I began consulting and told myself as my condition improved, I would grow my public speaking. My biggest goal was to be on the TEDx stage, and it took five years of rejections before I secured a spot to give a talk. It has been challenging to reinvent myself and create an entirely new career path. I also had no idea how to run a business and never had any plans to become an entrepreneur before my accident.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Purposeful Networking?
My business focuses on strategic networking, communications, and workplace relations. I also do motivational speaking on leadership, change, and resilience. Since the pandemic in 2020, much of my business has focused on virtual networking, building and maintaining relationships, and presenting in the virtual space. My most requested talk by far in these last few years has been, “How to Become a More Resilient Leader.”
I present often to companies, firms, conferences, and other organizations. I also serve as a media contributor writing for various publications and appearing on guest segments for tv stations. I am most proud of the fact that I have been able to reinvent myself after going through some very tough years. I am also proud of my professional and personal networks. So much of my success can be attributed to my relationships and connections. I truly walk the talk and encourage others to do the same.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Many Saturdays as a child, I would head to the local roller skating rink with friends. I even had a pink satin bomber jacket that said “Roller Queen” on the back, those were fun times!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.purposefulnetworking.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/areyounetworked/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.l.robinson.54/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AreYouNetworked
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/events-with-a-purpose/?viewAsMember=true
Image Credits
Norma Velez, Jessilyn Palumbo, Ann Marie Casey, Joe Pier Navy, and Bethany Womack
