Send us Fan Mail

She Started With a Pen… Then Built a Business

What happens when an unexpected life change pushes you to rediscover your creativity—and that creativity turns into a business?

In this episode of Entrepreneur Like ME, I sit down with Sandra Crosby Robinson, founder of Just Pen It and creator of Journey by Journaling, to talk about what happened when retirement came earlier than she expected and she had to figure out what was next.

What started with Sandra creating one-of-a-kind jeweled pens grew into journals, workshops, and an experience designed to help people slow down, reflect, create, and tell their own stories. Along the way, Sandra learned an important lesson: just because one chapter ends doesn't mean your gifts stop with it.

We get into the real side of building a business—knowing when your hobby has become something more, listening to your customers, pivoting when the opportunity changes, managing your time and finances, and staying connected to the thing that made you start in the first place. Sandra even shares her big vision for a mobile Journey by Journaling experience that could take her workshops on the road.

And if you've ever bought a journal with every intention of using it...and it's still sitting there blank 👀—this conversation is definitely for you.

Sometimes you don't need to have the whole next chapter figured out. You just need to put something on the page and start. 🎙️✨

Sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) – Make it in Michigan with the support of a robust partner network designed to help entrepreneurs succeed. Learn more at michiganbusiness.org.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the ELM Podcast!

If you enjoyed this episode be sure to subscribe for more inspiring conversations with entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Connect with us:

• Follow us on Instagram: @cmuresearchcorp
• Visit our website: www.cmurc.com/elm

Don't forget to leave us a review and share this episode with your friends. Stay tuned for our next episode where we continue to explore the journeys of extraordinary individuals in the world of business and innovation. Until next time, keep exploring, learning, and making an impact!