We had the good fortune of connecting with Jodi Jahrling and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jodi, what role has risk played in your life or career?
My mantra is “everything is temporary.” Telling myself that takes the fear out of it. If it’s painful, I can endure it. If it’s amazing, I need to enjoy it while it lasts. So risk becomes relative.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I wrote this open letter to residents of Montezuma county, Colorado, at the end of 2020 about my personal challenges of the previous year:
Over a year ago, my friend and I talked about wanting more positive news to be shared in our community, and she challenged me to start a hyperlocal newspaper. I tweeted about the challenge (in November 2019), as if adding it to a vision board. “Back to the Zu,” I’d say every time I hit the Montezuma County sign coming back from a trip to Farmington or Durango. I jokingly referred to Montezuma County as the Zu, not realizing I’d bring back this quip. In early January 2020, I texted my friend that I had purchased the website domain thedailyzu.com, and she cheered (and laughed) at my progress. The holidays had been extra busy with holiday parties and work events, so this little project took the back burner. But, there were many reminders why I should start this every time I stumbled into a load of Facebook comments that often divided neighbors, friends and even families. I was determined to find a way to share the beautiful side of Montezuma County and show how wonderfully different, yet closely alike, we all are in our daily lives. I wanted to build something that would celebrate our successes, no matter how small, and be proud to show off to any tourist, visitor or local. If you’re curious, I’m a marketer and event producer by trade so I have photography, graphic design and web development in my toolbox. The Daily ZU was going to be my ultimate marketing masterpiece.
And then on January 25, 2020, I had a stroke.
I was only 47. A beaded artery was the likely cause and led to many months of learning how to function again, including learning to walk again. Everything became a challenge and a chore and I often found myself sitting quietly on the couch watching hours of television and often crying myself to sleep. About four months post stroke I started thinking about my “little project” and decided it was time to start building the website. Thedailyzu.com became the catalyst to bringing my focus and creativity back to full steam. It helped motivate me to wake up in the mornings and get away from my 10-12 hour restless sleep sessions. It helped get me excited about possibilities again. Now, 11 months post stroke, I can walk unassisted. As I type this, I’m still pecking the keyboard with my right middle finger because the feeling on my right side hasn’t completely returned, but I’m more grateful that I can type a little instead of seeing it as a chore or challenge.
Thedailyzu.com went live at the end of July 2020 with no content and only possibilities. My first goal was to fill every section I dreamt up with at least one article or image. The first article was posted on August 6th at 5:57pm.
And then the website crashed completely.
But reflecting on the stops and starts of the previous months, I didn’t let that discourage me. The goal (and still today) is to make The Daily ZU better each day. In a very short five months, WE (our wonderful community) have created a hub of stories (long and short) of life in our little piece of the world. I couldn’t have done it without you sharing your beautiful, flaw-filled, funny, fabulous pieces of your lives and perspectives while living in or just visiting Montezuma County, Colorado. Please continue sharing your good news with us.
Sincerely,
Jodi Jahrling, zu-keeper
I am now nearly 2 years post-stroke. A lot has happened in the world as well as my personal life to continue to be grateful for every step I take both literally and figuratively.
I started ZU Gallery with the hope of creating a physical community space that personifies The Daily ZU online community that we have all created in MonteZUma County. The space is divided into three main sections: an art gallery, a meeting and makerspace, and a photography studio.
The Art Gallery artists were carefully curated.
A dedicated, front window display highlights events, contributors and advertisers with a monitor-based scrolling calendar and Instagram feed.
The photography studio was built around Wild Blue Bug Photography, a business that is now over a decade old and run by my mom and me. The studio offers affordable, local portrait specials, event photography with on-site printing, and commercial photography, from business headshots to products.
The hub of community activity is the Meeting and Makerspace. This modern space is able to host meetings and events for up to 50 people with various seating configurations and meeting technology.
www.zugallery.com
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Pretty easy. Our area has the best landscapes around, from mountains to desert with rivers and lakes in between. Mesa Verde is an all day excursion but can easily be multiple days of hikes and viewing ancient ruins. We’d visit Fahrenheit Coffee in Mancos for the best coffee I’ve ever had (and I’m a coffee snob), with a stroll of their downtown art galleries.
Olio in Mancos for the best food and wine experience. Our county boasts two cideries: Fenceline in Mancos and Eso Terra in Dolores – each with their own flavor and experience. Sushi from Stonefish in Cortez hands down. Catch a Listening Room event at ZU Gallery in Cortez and see art only from Montezuma County artists. Take in a Native American dance night at the Cortez Cultural Center followed by the best craft beer experience (also a craft beer snob) from WildEdge Brewing Collective.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Scott Farris has known me since I was 15 years old. He wasn’t a high school sweetheart or a best friend at the time. He sat behind me in Sophomore English class and was my sounding board for all things, often unimportant. Through the years we remained friends and he was always someone I could check in with on all things. He helped with resumes, business ideas and even relationships. Recently, both of our marriages ended and after 30+ years of friendship, we became romantic partners. He urged me to follow my passions and has been a backbone in starting my current endeavor of a storefront. Shoutout to Scott, who has helped me remember my fearless child within.
Website: https://www.zugallery.com and https://www.thedailyzu.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zugallery. and @the_dailyzu
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thedailyzu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zugallery and @thedailyzu