Jessica Lowry never planned to leave academia. As a university professor with a clear career path, starting a business wasn't on her radar until a desperate prayer during financial hardship changed everything. When three of her teaching courses were unexpectedly dropped while her husband faced health issues, Jessica found herself on her knees asking for guidance on how to support her family. The answer came through elderberry syrup.

What began as a mother's attempt to create a natural remedy her daughter would actually take quickly evolved into a full-fledged business. Jessica and her husband found themselves working late into the night, learning everything from food safety regulations to manufacturing processes with absolutely no prior experience. "I felt completely unqualified," Jessica admits, capturing the doubt many entrepreneurs face when stepping into unfamiliar territory.

The journey wasn't just about creating a product. For Jessica, it meant reconciling her identity as an educator with her new role as a business owner. "I believe a piece of my heart is still sitting at the podium in Kearns Hall, room 201," she shares, describing the emotional challenge of leaving teaching. But the perspective shift came when she realized God didn't pull her out of the classroom – he simply made her classroom bigger, allowing her to educate people about holistic wellness on a national scale.

Through trademark lawsuits lasting three and a half years, financial struggles that left them unable to pay themselves, and constant questioning about whether this was truly her calling, Jessica persevered. Today, The Power of Elderberries ships nationwide and is recognized by holistic practitioners across the country. Rather than expanding into multiple products, Jessica remains focused on their signature elderberry formulation that supports whole-body wellness.

For anyone feeling called toward something that makes your heart race with both excitement and anxiety, Jessica offers this wisdom: "Stepping into what we're being led to can open up our greatest purpose in life, even when we don't feel qualified." Her story reminds us that sometimes our most meaningful work emerges not from careful planning, but from having the courage to follow unexpected guidance, one faithful step at a time.

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She Suite Society is a community where women from all backgrounds come together to share their stories, support one another, and reveal the unfiltered reality of our lives. New episodes drop every week wherever you get your podcasts.

What happens when you've checked all the boxes for success but feel empty inside? June Sapunpak knows this terrain intimately. As a first-generation Thai American raised to believe she should become "either a doctor or a doctor," June spent years pursuing external validation through a successful career as a Hollywood stylist. On paper, she had it all – the prestigious clients, the creative career, the accolades. But something fundamental was missing.

"I checked every single box," June shares with remarkable candor. "And once I checked off all my boxes, I was like, 'Wait, aren't I supposed to be happy by now?'" This pivotal realization began a transformation that would eventually lead her to become a Joy Guide, podcast host, and champion for authentic living.

What makes June's story so powerful is her willingness to name the performative aspects of high achievement – what she calls the "dance, monkey, dance" of appearing put-together while crying in bathroom stalls between client meetings. For many high-achieving listeners who've mastered the art of making everything look effortless, June's admission that she had to "stop lying to herself" offers both challenge and profound relief.

Now working with "heart-led leaders and high-achieving humans who are successful on paper but secretly wondering 'is this it?'," June brings a unique blend of psychology background, spiritual tools, and lived experience to her coaching practice. Her definition of joy itself is revolutionary – not the constant happiness we're sold, but "being so honest in being yourself at any given moment, giving space and honor to the version of you that's showing up today."

Ready to take your own brave, messy step toward greater authenticity? June's journey from external achievement to internal alignment reminds us that sometimes the most courageous thing we can do is admit when something isn't working, even when everyone else thinks it should be. Subscribe to hear more conversations that illuminate the unfiltered reality of transforming your life one honest moment at a time.

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Thank you for listening to She Suite Society!

If this episode resonated with you, here's how you can help us reach more women who need to hear these stories:

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🎙️ Be a Guest Do you have a story that could inspire other women? We're always looking for authentic voices from all walks of life. Email us at dalia@directpathsolutions.com or send us a DM.

Remember, your story matters. Your journey is valid. And you're not alone in figuring it out.

Until next time, keep making your life extraordinary.

She Suite Society is a community where women from all backgrounds come together to share their stories, support one another, and reveal the unfiltered reality of our lives. New episodes drop every week wherever you get your podcasts.

What happens when you follow the unexpected twists in your career path instead of fighting them? Jessica Minor's journey from political science student to custom cabinetry business owner reveals the power of embracing professional evolution.

Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, Jessica initially resisted following that path. She pursued a political science degree with dreams of "saving the world," briefly attended law school, and navigated corporate America before recognizing her true talents lay elsewhere. The road to finding her passion wasn't straight—it curved through family business experience, house flipping, and finally to creating stunning custom cabinets now shipped nationwide.

Jessica's story demolishes the myth that success requires unwavering focus on a single career from day one. Instead, she demonstrates how each professional experience builds upon the last, creating a unique foundation of skills that can't be replicated. Most remarkably, what began as a "side biz" in house flipping transformed into a thriving cabinetry business making "ten times more than I ever dreamed of making."

For women contemplating their own entrepreneurial ventures, Jessica offers crystal-clear advice: "Have multiple streams of income." She emphasizes that side businesses can evolve into primary enterprises if given room to grow, providing both financial security and the flexibility to navigate different life seasons. Her approach to business—prioritizing quality relationships over maximum scaling—challenges conventional growth-at-all-costs wisdom.

Whether you're questioning your current path, considering a side business, or wondering if it's too late to pursue what you're passionate about, this conversation delivers both practical wisdom and the reassurance that confidence often comes with time. Sometimes the most fulfilling careers emerge from the intersection of talent, passion, and market need—even when they look nothing like what you initially imagined for yourself.

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Thank you for listening to She Suite Society!

If this episode resonated with you, here's how you can help us reach more women who need to hear these stories:

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🎙️ Be a Guest Do you have a story that could inspire other women? We're always looking for authentic voices from all walks of life. Email us at dalia@directpathsolutions.com or send us a DM.

Remember, your story matters. Your journey is valid. And you're not alone in figuring it out.

Until next time, keep making your life extraordinary.

She Suite Society is a community where women from all backgrounds come together to share their stories, support one another, and reveal the unfiltered reality of our lives. New episodes drop every week wherever you get your podcasts.