Meet Jessica White | Founder & CEO

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

Hi Jessica, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I never actually set out to start my own business when I had started playing with the idea of organizing Wander Woman. I remember sitting in a turkey blind with my dad, and we were talking about how challenging it was for me at the time to find outdoor hunting opportunities outside of what I was already doing with my family. I was introduced to some well-known national non-profit organizations, which I immediately joined as a committee member. Once I started participating, it soon became pretty clear that I was the only consistent female member. I then decided that I thought that should change. That more women need to know what is available out there for them, and to make it easier to access.

What should our readers know about your business?
Wander Woman Kansas was developed to bring women together in a tough outdoor industry that can be difficult to navigate alone. I wanted to bring something to Kansas that encouraged women to get out and try new outdoor activities without feeling the pressure of a man’s presence. Wander Woman was founded to be a safe space for women to come together to learn, build confidence, find lifelong friendships, and become mentors themselves. Access is the key, if you don’t know something is available or are too nervous to join in on your own, then most times you end up not doing it. Wander Woman Kansas has accomplished these goals and so much more.

At first it was challenging, because like most women I had no idea where to start. Luckily, I have met some incredible people that saw my mission and were all in to support us in any way. We started in 2018 organizing one outdoor educational event a month, to almost 5 years later hosting multiple events a week. I’m incredibly proud with what our community has accomplished with this group and the mission of Wander Woman.

I hope the word continues to spread, that it is important to open opportunities to women and youth around you. Whether you pass on your positive experiences to other women to join in on our adventures or you invite a woman in your life to head outside. It’s all about access and knowing what is available. If you don’t share these experiences with others, they might never have a chance, and everyone deserves some time in the great outdoors.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The amazing thing about Wander Woman is the doors it’s opened and the knowledge it has provided. Kansas and our surrounding states have so much to offer.

If my best friend was coming into town, we will say it is during one of our big Wander Woman trips. We’d go kayaking with some of the other Wander Woman ambassadors, specifically in Lenexa Kansas at Black Hoof Park. Maybe get a little kayak fishing in. We’d finish that full day of paddling with some tacos and a margarita, because that sounds like a perfect way to end a hot day on the water! That week we’d be prepping for one of my favorite events of the year, our Wander Woman Wrangle. We would leave in the afternoon to drive to our Air BNB in Cottonwood Falls Kansas. There we would throw on our cowboy boots and head to the ranch headquarters to meet up with Flint Hills Ranchin Adventures. Here we would spend our weekend on horseback learning about horsemanship, riding techniques, then moving cattle and any other ranch chores that might need to be done that weekend. It’s a fully hands on experience where beginners are welcome. Just an amazing time in the beautiful Kansas Flint Hills.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I couldn’t write this without shouting out to my family. Both my mom and dad introduced my sister and I to the outdoors. We grew up always going on some kind of outdoor adventure whether it was camping, fishing, caving, hunting, or canoeing. My passion to share the outdoors comes from them. They also have been by my side since the moment I chose to start Wander Woman Kansas. They both put on educational classes for the women in our community and are there whenever I need their help. I couldn’t do this without their continued support.

Website: www.wanderwomanks.com

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