From Center Stage to Corporate: Jen Jamula on Creative Communication and Reinventing Your Career

The Second Degree with Emily Merrell

In this episode of the Second Degree Podcast, Emily Merrell sits down with Jen Jamula, co-founder of GoldJam Creative, to explore the fascinating journey from acting to entrepreneurship. Jen shares how her theater background inspired the creation of a unique communications training company that helps individuals and teams master public speaking, storytelling, and overcoming gender bias in the workplace. Tune in to hear Jen's insights on adapting your career, the power of storytelling in pitches, and how emotional connections can transform your communication skills. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, actor, or just looking to elevate your professional presence, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration!

What You'll Listen:

• Jen shared the origin of GoldJam, a communication training company she co-founded with Allison Goldberg. The name "GoldJam" combines their last names, Goldberg and Jamula, symbolizing their creative partnership. GoldJam offers interactive, research-based training sessions on topics like public speaking, storytelling, and combating gender bias in the workplace.
• Jen talked about her journey from acting to entrepreneurship. Initially pursuing an acting career after studying theater at Yale, she eventually found more fulfillment in creating and producing original performances. This shift led her and Allison to establish GoldJam in 2014, leveraging their theatrical backgrounds to coach professionals in communication.
• The early days of GoldJam were a mix of performances and coaching. Jen and Allison joined a co-working space in New York, which played a crucial role in gaining their first clients, including BuzzFeed and Lean Startup Machine.
• Jen emphasized the importance of adaptability and persistence, highlighting the balance she and Allison brought to their partnership—Allison as the "gas" and Jen as the "brakes."
• In 2021, Jen became the sole owner of GoldJam after Allison shifted her focus to comedy.
• Jen now runs the business independently, with a team of facilitators who assist with training, social media, and newsletters. She continues to conduct both virtual and in-person training sessions and offers individual coaching.
• Jen discussed the art of pitching, emphasizing the need to shift from a transactional to an emotional approach. She shared insights on using storytelling to create a connection with the audience, making the pitch more compelling. Jen also touched on Aristotle’s elements of influence—ethos, pathos, and logos—and how they can be applied to effective communication and pitching.
• Reflecting on her journey, Jen encouraged listeners to embrace adaptability and not be afraid to reach out and make connections. She stressed the value of persistence and the importance of crafting a pitch that resonates on an emotional level, rather than just presenting data or solutions.

To learn more about Jen Goldber, visit her website GoldJam Creative and follow on instagram at @GoldJameCreative

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