Meet Jennifer Lynn Robinson | Speaker & Influencer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Lynn Robinson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer Lynn, what do you attribute your success to?
I never give up. I set goals and I pursue them until they are accomplished. Sometimes they take longer to achieve than I would like, but I do not quit. It took me five years between the time I set a goal of doing a TEDx talk and actually being selected and making it happen. I also believe part of my success is due to my visibility. Of course, it was easier to be visible pre-covid when we were all still seeing people in person and staying top of mind. But once the country went into lockdown I doubled down on my visibility efforts securing multiple guest media segments on local and national media, writing for various publications, consistently posting on my platforms, serving as a guest on podcasts and instagram live interviews and more. I was not going to watch many years of building my brand go down the drain. Some days it was very difficult because mentally I was not in a good place. Like many of you, I had ups and downs during the last two years and even as a positive person I hit my low points. This was especially tough for me at the beginning in 2020 when I watched almost all of my paid speaking engagements cancel and the income vanish. But never giving up and staying visible allowed me to bounce back.

What should our readers know about your business?
I started my career as a litigator. It was not until I had been practicing for over a decade and had a near death accident that I decided to start a business and become an entrepreneur. I never had any plans to run my own business. At the time I was suffering from very serious physical and mental injuries and a traumatic brain injury. I had been told to reconsider a career involving public speaking. I love having an audience and did trials and hearings as a litigator. It was always my goal to grow my business into speaking as my condition improved. I started out mainly doing consulting. It was a long road. I saw what a big role growing a large and diverse network had done for me and knew I could help others. Prior to starting my business my entire network was in the legal community so when I ventured into the entrepreneurial world, I was at a disadvantage. I want to help others realize the value of building a diverse network.

Today, I do speaking, consulting, training, media commentating and serve as a moderator/emcee. My speaking focuses on strategic networking, communications and workplace relations. I also do motivational speaking around overcoming challenges and reinvention incorporating my personal story.

My success is due to my network. I’ve realized the value of relationships and of surrounding yourself with people who will advocate for you when you are not in room. I try my best to make introductions and help others. I want to help others to love and appreciate networking the way I do. Knowing the right people or being in the right rooms can catapult your business.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have grown up in the Philadelphia area my whole life and love showing people around our great city. I adore art so no visit would be complete without a trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes Foundation or Rodin Museum. Some favorite places to eat include Parc, Suraya, Spice Finch and anything Jose Garces-especially tacos and sweet corn. I’m also fanatical about La Colombe coffee and Lorenzo & Sons Pizza. And I box so visiting the Rocky statute (though very touristy) is always a must. My favorite activity is people and dog watching in Rittenhouse Square.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I really have the best network and inner circle. When I had to deliver my TEDx talk in Spring 2020 remotely without an audience, many people who knew my story of recovery and reinvention as well as how far I had come to be able to do this talk on the TEDx “stage” spread the word, advocated for me, reached out to press contacts and reached out to me personally, It meant the world especially since we were all in such isolation at that time. Particular shouts outs to Marissa Reale who was extremely involved in helping me secure press for my talk and to Ann Marie Casey (AMC Photography Studios) who allowed me to tape my talk during lockdown and served both motivation and tough love to bring out the best in me at my taping. I am so grateful.

Website: https://www.purposefulnetworking.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/areyounetworked/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferprobinson/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AreYouNetworked

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.l.robinson.54/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFdlE92YY9ayITSlxey9zzA

Other: TEDx talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_lynn_robinson_from_fighting_for_breath_to_fighting_for_life

Image Credits
A few of the photos are by Ann Marie Casey AMC Photography Studios. I can let you know which ones depending of which you decide to use. I have the rights to all of them. The photo of me speaking (black and white) is by Norma Velez Photography. I have the right to use it.