Meet Jennifer Yousem, the visionary behind I Heart EBITDA, a platform dedicated to demystifying finance for individuals and businesses.
Driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact, Jennifer embarked on an entrepreneurial path while searching for her next professional endeavor. Drawing on her extensive experience advising companies of various scales, ranging from solopreneurs to multimillion-dollar enterprises, she recognized the need for accessible financial guidance in business. With the launch of I Heart EBITDA, Jennifer aims to equip business owners with the tools and knowledge to construct robust financial strategies. Jennifer's mission is clear: to empower entrepreneurs in bolstering their companies while maintaining a firm grasp on their financial performance. By providing invaluable insights and support, she guides CEOs on a path toward growth and success.
In our interview with Jennifer, we delve into what sets I Heart EBITDA apart from other financial services, the significance of establishing a support network as an entrepreneur, and the advice she’d give herself if she were to start her journey all over again.
Q: Tell us the story behind your company’s founding. How and why did you start working on I Heart EBITDA?
A: I would love to pretend that this was all intentional, but in reality, I stumbled into entrepreneurial life while looking for my next full-time role. However, the realization that I could do what I love and what I’m great at, for people who really need it and who I actually like working with, made the choice easy.
Q: What makes I Heart EBITDA different from other, similar companies?
A: Finance people tend to forget that finance is like a second language to most people. I work very hard to make sure I’m not only getting people’s books in shape but that I am making sure they understand what their financials are telling them. I avoid acronyms at all costs and meet business owners where they’re at, using terminology and examples that make sense to them. I am honest to a fault, so it's not always an easy conversation, but we will figure out a path forward together.
Q: In what ways has your upbringing or past experiences contributed to how you operate as an entrepreneur?
A: My parents were both entrepreneurs with incredible work ethics. I think being exposed to that early and often helped shape me. Also, I used to do my mom’s expense reports as a kid. I think growing up having one of the few mothers who worked among my friends gave me a great blueprint for success.
Q: Have you ever felt like you’re “different”? If yes, in what ways has this contributed to your journey as an entrepreneur?
A: I have always been different, but I forced myself into a typical corporate finance box for years. Being an entrepreneur has allowed me to be myself. I speak to clients the same way I speak to my family and friends. There is no longer a need to put on a costume, which has allowed me to attract the exact kind of customers I want to serve.
Q: What’s one thing you wish you had known before starting I Heart EBITDA?
A: Even if I had known what I do now, I’m not sure it would have helped, because there is absolutely no way to prepare for the unpredictability that entrepreneurship brings. The highs are high and the lows can be so low, and they can come minutes apart and multiple times a day.
Q: What’s the biggest misconception that others have around entrepreneurship?
A: The freedom it brings. Sure, I have more freedom in that I have more control over my schedule. But there is always a gnawing feeling of needing to do more. People talk about Sunday Scaries; entrepreneurship means Everyday Scaries.
Q: Have you felt like giving up? What made you persist?
A: There are always those days when I think having a steady paycheck and handing off the decision making to someone else sounds pretty amazing. My husband is my biggest supporter and he is always quick to remind me of a horror story from my past corporate life, to take a break, and how far I’ve come in a short time. Entrepreneurship can be lonely, so make sure to find a support system, whether it’s a networking group, a friend, a mentor, or a partner who can be your cheerleader when you want to give up.
Q: How have you grown as a leader since startingI Heart EBITDA? What experiences have contributed to this growth?
A: I had some unbelievable bosses and mentors in my career, but they were the exception, not the rule. I am trying to build the type of organization that I didn’t get to experience very often; one that allows mistakes and rewards great work with praise and recognition instead of just more work.
Q: How would you describe the journey you’ve had in a few sentences? Would you do it all over again?
A: I started off in equity research but after business school, I had a pretty traditional finance career in both consumer packaged goods and digital media. I don’t have many regrets, but if I had to do it all over again, I wish I would have trusted my gut more. When it’s great, I often wonder why I didn’t go out on my own sooner, but I also know that everything that I did before this is what shaped me into the person that I am now. I could not have gotten here without those experiences—the good ones and especially the bad ones.
Jennifer is a member of Dreamers & Doers, an award-winning community that amplifies extraordinary women entrepreneurs and leaders by securing PR, forging authentic connections, and curating high-impact resources. Learn more about Dreamers & Doers and get involved here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
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Gesche Haas is the Founder/CEO of Dreamers & Doers, a private collective that amplifies the entrepreneurial pursuits of extraordinary women through visibility opportunities, resource exchange, and collective support.
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