For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a helper. It’s part of who I am.
I saw it in my grandmother, Bess, who built her life around service — her community, her family and the people who relied on her. I’ve heard it through the stories of my other grandmother, Bartola, who devoted herself to supporting my grandfather, Victoriano, and his gavanes business in Ciudad Hidalgo, Michoacán, Mexico.
Their stories and lessons shaped me. They helped mold my approach to leadership, service and how I show up for the people in my life.
But for years, I tried to carry it all alone. I thought I could balance everything effortlessly. But if you’ve been with me long enough, you know that approach didn’t get me very far. Eventually, I had to ask myself: What kind of leader, and what kind of person, do I really want to be?
Through a lot of personal reflection (and many hard, raw, honest conversations), I realized something: We all want freedom. Freedom to be authentic. But being truly authentic? That can feel terrifying. We’re told to curate our lives to look polished, successful and unshakable. But the truth is, that kind of perfection is isolating. At least, it was for me. I found myself craving real connection and building a life that felt as good as it looked.
That’s exactly why my journey has led me to this: Bestola Collective.
Welcome to Bestola Collective
Helping has always been personal to me — one conversation, one connection, one act of service at a time. But I also know that storytelling, shared experiences and genuine reflection have the power to reach so many more people.
That’s what Bestola Collective is all about.
This is a space for real conversations — ones that go beyond highlight reel aesthetics and surface-level success. Here, we talk about leadership, life, relationships and well-being in a way that’s unfiltered and sometimes messy.
Because real success isn’t about doing it all. When we strip away the pressure to be perfect, we might just find that it’s about simply thriving in our own light.
We’ll share tools, resources and insights to help you gain perspective and, hopefully, feel connected and empowered on your own journey. You’ll read stories from people who are navigating the same questions, struggles and triumphs as you. Some stories will be mine — but most won’t. This is bigger than one voice. It’s about seeing each other, hearing each other and learning from one another.
I’m also reigniting my passion for serving the business community. Remember Bestola Consulting? She’s back (but really, she never left). Where Bestola Collective is about meaningful conversations, Bestola Consulting is where we take those insights and turn them into action. For organizations looking to elevate their client experiences, develop impactful leadership or cultivate a people-first culture, Bestola Consulting is here to help. Because real leadership isn’t just about vision — it’s about execution, connection and building something that lasts.
Join the Collective
Bestola Collective is officially live, and I want you to be part of it. Sign up for our email list to get the latest stories, reflections and conversations delivered straight to your inbox — no fluff, no noise. Just real, thoughtful content designed to help you thrive.
I won’t pretend to have all the answers. But I do know this: Life feels lighter — and so much more meaningful — when we stop performing and start showing up as we actually are.
See you inside,
Jen
