We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenn Grindeland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jenn, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have to answer this question by starting with my story, because it is so deeply intertwined with why I started my business. My first brain injury was when I was 15, which left me stumbling though classes and social settings. I learned how to manage my symptoms and use my experience as a strength, and went on to get my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, graduating both programs earlier than the traditional timeframe. As a working professional, I had two more brain injuries within six months of each other. I witnessed how confused my supervisors and peers were with how to handle my re-emerging needs that I was able to mask before. I began having discussions, interviews, and focus groups with other disabled and neurodistinct colleagues and realized I was not alone in my experience, nor how it affected my work team culture. I began to see how my unique experience and education could illuminate a new pathway for companies to create more inclusion, equity, and better communication in their teams. I created a system with five pillars for teams to foster collaborative and productive work teams, teaching leadership skills designed to support invisible disabilities and neurodiversity in the workplace. I couldn’t find this type of support anywhere I looked. I knew I was uniquely positioned to fill this gap, and it would be a disservice to my community if I didn’t share my knowledge. So, The Working Well was born!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’m proud that my business is deeply rooted in personal experience. I can directly relate to what my clients are going through and help them not only from that personal experience perspective, but from my higher education in leadership and psychology, too. It’s a unique mix I haven’t found elsewhere.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting for a week, we’d do some things in the city, but we’d make sure to also hit the mountains for hikes! We’d eat at places like Avanti, Just BE Kitchen, and Little Man’s Ice Cream. We’d hang out around Confluence Park, paddle board at Autrey Resevoir in Superior, and head into the mountains to check out Eldorado Canyon. We might also do some of the classics if it’s her first time here, such as Pike’s Peak, Garden of the Gods, Red Rocks, Chatauqua, and Mount Evans.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The biggest of all shoutouts goes to my loving husband, Jordan, who has supported and believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. He has worked tirelessly to make sure we’re taken care of while my business continues to grow. I’m thankful every day for him. I know not all entrepreneurs have a backup support person and I don’t take that for granted.

I also want to give a shoutout to Elizabeth Winheld and Myka McLoughlin of WINC and the women in the entrepreneur community they’ve created. While Elizabeth and Myka taught me invaluable business skills and strategy, the women in this group reminded me everyday that I, and my knowledge to share with the world, are valuable and worthy – something it took me a while to own as truth.

Website: theworkingwell.us

Instagram: @rennafrenn

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jenngrindeland

Image Credits
Image credit goes to Tina Wink and Acey Holmes.

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