|
| January 2, 2018
What should be the first image I put in a reader's mind? Accomplished, successful, driven, coach, smart, funny? Or should I start with homeless, poor, technology-wiz, HR pro, someone to fix your car?
We are all a composite of our experiences – and Jenn Lofgren is no exception. She’s far more than a product of the street … she’s been strengthened by her experiences.
Born in Ottawa, 2nd born of two daughters. Parents divorced. Mom is a retired Avon lady/office worker/school administrator, dad is a locksmith. Jenn came to Calgary in 1979, left in ’84 and returned in ’89. She was a really good student until 15, in 10th grade, when she was expelled from her mother’s home. Homeless for four months, helped by a shelter and programs to get her ‘on her feet’ living independently she stayed in school and became a mechanic in the military reserves. She graduated from Western Canada High, studied Psychology at University of Calgary for two years – worked in tech, returned to school to get her HR diploma at Mount Royal University.
Jenn’s world of work began in I.T. – she was nerdy and good at it – as a way to fund her schooling; her path was A&B Sound, Shaw, networking, AT&T, consulting after the dot-com bust, Nexen, was a VOIP pioneer, loved tech. But she loved people issues more – then back to school for more focus on team building and leadership. Following MRU, Longview Systems, H.R. generalist, problem resolver …
Along the way she found a husband (he’s a geologist) and they have a nine-year-old daughter. While on mat-leave, she founded INCITO (pronounced IN-SITE-OH) in 2009, during a downturn, to focus on education, coaching/training, International Coach Federation – and, as she described it, “there was no plan”. Her business development focus was her H.R. association, networking, volunteering, “coffee with people”. She got some contracts, some of which are still going strong. She mentioned a couple – Canoe Financial, the Mayor of High River – but stopped there, “most of my clients are confidential and wouldn’t want me disclosing who they are”. Her team, her shop: Jenn, five consultants/contractors, four consulting advisors.
Why are you successful? “Because I’m resilient. I’m NEVER a victim. I get to make choice in my life. Being blessed by my husband and daughter – to be ‘present’ with them.”
What has held you back? “Sometimes it’s been worrying about what other people will think – that gets in the way. Sometimes I’ve taken on too much.”
|
|