Jessica Jesse:

As business leaders, what you need to know is your core competency, right? And even though external factors obviously impact business, if you stay true to what you're really good at, you'll probably be able to navigate the turmoil that you might be in.

Frederick Royall III:

You've built a business that is not just resilient, but thriving. How do you define business resilience, and why is it so important for founders to focus on it?

Jessica Jesse:

Patience is important. I think as a founder, you need to have some space to think. And you need some time, right, to understand, you know, what the demands or external pressures are causing, you know, to the business. And when you use the word resiliency, sometimes to me, it seems like a bounce back, right? How do you avert the negative? And I do think that we need time to think and to evaluate.

Frederick Royall III:

What measures have you taken to ensure your business can withstand economic downturns or unexpected challenges?

Jessica Jesse:

I call it the three C's. Consistency, community, and common sense. Deliver what you're known for and do it correctly. The community is pivotal now in any business. You are the people that you serve. That's how you grow. And then common sense, well what can I tell you? Common sense is a superpower.

Frederick Royall III:

An understated superpower.

Jessica Jesse:

Understated, but it's a superpower.

Frederick Royall III:

What advice would you give to other leaders that are looking to build resilient business models?

Jessica Jesse:

As business leaders, what you need to know is your core competency. And even though external factors obviously impact business, if you stay true to what you're really good at, you'll probably be able to navigate the turmoil that you might be in. You need a little time for that, some patience. Don't pivot too quickly to something that looks like a solution, but it's not really to the standards and values of your organization.

END