Daily Inspiration: Meet Leslie Jespersen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Jespersen. 

Hi Leslie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs and had the privilege of sitting through board meetings as a child, soaking it all in. My mom and stepdad founded and ran a nonprofit festival for nearly 20 years and I developed a passion for events as well. I loved seeing months and months of planning and work come together and spread joy and excitement. Right after high school, I scored a spot working with my favorite band, helping to manage their street team and events at each of their tour dates, it was here where I learned a lot and honed in on my skills. I met so many people that would ultimately make my career what it is today. 

After college, I began my work in media and founded my marketing & communications company in 2016 I always found myself taking on clients in entertainment and events anyway, a niche that truly fulfilled me. I began producing small events in comedy on the side. In 2019 I had the opportunity to produce my first concert series and was able to call on the artists and professionals I had met over the last 10 years. I really was able to prove myself with this! 

On a personal note, I had experienced natural disaster, infidelity, divorce, eating disorders, low self-worth from 2012 – 2018 and I began sharing my story and my thoughts online. I found that my speaking my truth and sharing my message, I was helping others find hope and develop their own self-confidence. I decided that I wanted to combine this side of my life with my professional experience, so I held my first women’s empowerment event. 

When the pandemic hit, I had to sit with myself and figure out how I was going to pivot given that the entertainment industry came to a screeching halt. So, I continued to show up on social media, sharing inspirational messages, and even successfully sold out a women’s empowerment event in July 2020. Bringing women together and cultivating communities of support all over the world is my main passion now. 

Since restrictions lifted, I resumed producing entertainment shows and working for different festivals, events, etc. But I also wanted to go BIGGER with my women’s self-love + confidence work. I announced my first destination retreat and will be taking some of my events on tour in 2022. I am also doing confidence coaching remotely. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was a rough road. I became a single mom in 2012, after losing my home in a hurricane, and shortly after, discovering my husband was having an affair. 

Holding myself together to raise 2 children while being an entrepreneur and making sure we had food to eat was hands down the hardest thing I have ever done. There were days that I did not want to live and days that I never thought things would get better. 

I still struggle with imposter syndrome and have trouble showing up for myself and for others sometimes. 

There were many pivots and plot twists, failures, and I had to learn that it was okay to change my mind and do what makes me and my children happy, not what everyone else thinks I should do. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m most proud of the work I do to bring smiles to faces. Entertainment and events is a whirlwind of chaos and adrenaline but it is so satisfying to see everything coming together. 

Whether it’s a comedy show in a gay bar in East Nashville, a male revue show in Atlantic City, or a self-love vacation in Miami, I absolutely LOVE spreading joy.

When I was running my media company, I was known for my social media expertise, and really was a trailblazer in the industry 5-6 years ago, before everyone was an expert. I still do branding consulting, but it just doesn’t fulfill me like entertainment and events does. 

What sets me apart is that I’m a true renaissance woman. I have such a unique skill set that allows me to be versatile and go with the flow, which is very much my personality. I could never sit at a desk from 9-5, and I know this because I’ve tried it many times! I love that my work can be done from wherever, and I have the ability to spread a message and a feeling that improves peoples’ lives, through laughter, love, and excitement. 

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I think the pandemic taught us that there is no substitute for the human, in-person, face-to-face experience. I think we will see a lot more livestreaming and virtual events, but there will ALWAYS be a need for a live show or event. 

I think we will see an influx because people need that connection more than ever and realized not to take things for granted. The next time they see tickets for sale, they’re going to go. They’re not going to say, ‘there’s always next time’. Because there isn’t. Life is short. 

Contact Info:

• Email: hi@lesliejespersen.com
• Website: www.lesliejespersen.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/leslie_jespersen
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/lesliejespersenofficial
• Other: www.tiktok.com/@leslie_jespersen

Image Credits
Beau Ridge Photography
Leslie Jespersen