Today we feature Jennifer Zwiebel, a woman who exudes joy and creativity.  See below for her reflections on how her career evolved into her successful Brilliance-Based Business!

Briefly, what are the highlights of your career story?

I completely enjoyed myself majoring in Comparative Literature and Judaic Studies at Brown, and then decided I needed a career. I got an internship at a film production company and, needing to pay the rent, ended up working as the shlepper girl in my mom’s jewelry design company. Five years later I was helping her run the company.

I was amazed by how much I loved business. At the same time, this particular business wasn’t my passion, so I left to try to figure out my next steps. During my time off, I picked up a book about organizing (not one of my apparent strengths) and was thrilled to discover that it was a learnable skill!  I practiced on myself and then brought my interest into my next job.

I became a clinician at a learning center for children and adults with learning issues, and then trained with a woman who taught organizing skills specifically for students. From there I serendipitously connected with several people who became clients or mentors, including one woman on a New York City bus.  Clearly something Divine was going on…

My business grew organically from there, all by word of mouth. When I started working with my own coaches, it radically changed both my business and my life. I began introducing what I was learning into the work I was doing with my clients, and that brought all of our experiences–and results–to an inspiring, powerful new level!

As best as you currently understand it, what are you here to do?  Who are you here to serve?  What difference do you make for your clients?

I get to work with smart, creative individuals to release what no longer serves them, build inspired businesses, and bring lasting, meaningful change to their lives. We work on letting go of what’s holding them back (physically and otherwise); designing unique systems that support them; and organizing their space, time and minds so they get clear about what they want and jump right into creating it.

My family grew along with my business, and, combined with the fact that my spiritual/community life is also important to me, I realized that I couldn’t do it “all” in the way so many people seemed to expect me to. I had a feeling I wasn’t the only one.

Now I specialize in working with Jewish women entrepreneurs, partnering with them to build inspired businesses and joyful lives. My clients become aligned with and inspired by their work, make more money, receive clarity and support, and feel so much better about themselves, their choices and what they’re capable of that their lives open up to joy.

How do you define “success” for yourself?

Being happy with my life. Releasing judgment. Recognizing my own voice and choosing to live my own life instead of living the one someone else wanted or expected me to. Getting to enjoy each day and be grateful for all I have and all I see I’m able to create.

What changes have you made or experienced in your life and business that have enabled you to experience more ease?

• I got support — from coaches to help at home to business assistants. And I switched to better support when I realized what I had wasn’t working for me.

• I learned to ask for help, and came to understand that we’re not meant to do it all ourselves.

• I committed to doing the inner work, through reading and coaching and meditation and other methods, which brought me in touch with who I truly am and what I’m meant to be doing. This changed my life, and brought ease and meaning to it. (And sometimes not ease, but it was still really important to do!)

What would you love your next breakthrough to be?

I’m ready to be comfortable and joyful about the idea of having a lot of money, instead of feeling like it’s somehow not OK or it’s unfair, or that you cannot be a good person with values that feel right to me if you have a lot of money.

What brings you joy?

My family. Reading. Watching movies. Getting amazing feedback from my clients about their progress! Being in beautiful places. Watching gifted people do what they were born to do.

What’s the best way for others to learn more about what you do?

If you feel you’re meant to be doing so much more, so much more powerfully, and are ready to release whatever’s been blocking you, inside and out, I’d love to chat with you. Feel free to contact me!

If you’re ready to clear your space, clear your time and clear your mind, I’d like to honor your commitment with a special gift rate for my Inspired Organizing group program for my Inspired Organizing group program.

This month I have some big doings in my life.  My daughter’s birthday. Typical end-of-school-year events. Negotiating with our district because my kids’ school is closing long-term. A friend’s wedding. Preparing everything for camp. Regular entrepreneur stuff. And – oh, yeah – my divorce trial.

You know that song from Oklahoma, “I’m just a girl who can’t say no?” We all know what she’s talking about.  But this blog post is about something a bit different.  Are you a girl who can’t say “yes”… to accepting help from others?  I may naturally be just such a woman, and I’m aiming to work through it.

Professionally speaking, seeking support is a breeze for me.  I’m all about delegation and collaboration.  I’ve even built a business around it.  And asking for long-distance personal support – a friend to listen to my stories and my feelings and brainstorm ways to address them – no problem.  I’m blessed with many people I have that kind of two-way relationship with.  But nearby, local support – that’s different to me.

So now comes a time when I truly need boots on the ground. During standard 9 to 5 weekday hours. People to actually take time away from their daily activities to help me with kid transportation and in-person emotional support during the days of the trial. And perhaps prepare a dinner or two.

And this makes me very uncomfortable.  There’s no money involved to compensate people for their efforts.  I already feel the stress they have in their full lives.  Without even asking them, I have explanations about how they’re all too busy: sick family members, young children, demanding work, major life events, etc.  And I certainly don’t want to put them on the spot.

In an effort to show myself compassion, I mentally put the shoe on the other foot. I asked myself: if one of my clients told me this very story, how would I respond as her coach?  Would I say to her “You’re right – don’t ask for help and don’t accept any when offered.  Tough it out and handle this huge load on your own.”  No, that doesn’t sound right.

To a client, I’d say gently “It’s time for you to stretch beyond this limiting belief that people aren’t able to support you the way you want.”  And I’d probably take it even further.  I’d say “there are at least three good reasons for you to say ‘yes’ to help:

• You need it
• You deserve it
• Because you asked, others may feel more comfortable asking when they really need you”

Later, when I shared these reasons with long-distance friends, one added “Maybe these busy people would appreciate the diversion.”  And the other said, “I truly believe most people enjoy helping out those around them.”  So now, thanks to their input, we have five reasons.

Hey, self-compassion is lovely! It’s time for me to treat myself the way I treat others.  So this week if anyone offers, I’m going to accept.  And even if no one does, scared though I may be, I’m going to actually ask for what I need.

How about you?

(6/15/11 update: The “Nevers” and “Evers” in this New York Times article also apply to my current experience.)