062: Jane Pollak | Jane Pollak

Maturepreneurial Podcast: Interviews with Older Entrepreneurs | Online Business Tips | Learn From Those Who Have Succeeded

Jane Pollak is one of the Northeast's foremost coaches of entrepreneurial women and a living example of how to turn a passion into a thriving business.

A successful entrepreneur, public speaker, author and business coach, Jane launched her professional career in an unlikely field – egg decoration.

After earning a Masters from Columbia Teachers College, Jane taught high school early on in her career. What began as a class project became a passion for pysanky – the Ukranian word for “eggs which have been written on.” Jane’s artistic talents and keen attention to the smallest detail were ideally suited for this precise, highly creative art form.

Even so, there were times when the challenges of part-time entrepreneurship and motherhood– Jane was raising three children in suburban Connecticut – required real tenacity and perseverance.

Jane’s story is an odyssey that led her from remote craft fairs and customer rejections to an invitation to the White House and appearances on NBC’s Today Show. National publications featured Jane’s artwork as early as 1985, when her patchwork quilt eggs were showcased in Country Living Magazine. Since then, her work has appeared in The New York Times and other prominent publications.

As her youngest child headed off to school, Jane focused on further developing her business. A lifelong learner, she sought advice and wisdom in audio books by motivational and business gurus, such as Roger Dawson, Wayne Dyer and Brian Tracy. And something sparked.

Jane found herself wanting to inspire and guide other creative professionals to achieve greater success. Her unique experience as an accomplished entrepreneur and training as a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach resulted in a powerful, effective new business direction. Since then, Jane has helped thousands of entrepreneurial women — at all stages of their careers – achieve uncommon success.

The lessons Jane learned along the way led her to share her story and give advice to struggling entrepreneurs, traveling the country and beyond. Jane joined the National Speakers Association in 1997, and published her book, Soul Proprietor: 101 Lessons from a Lifestyle Entrepreneur in 2001. The Small Business Administration named Jane the 2002 Home-Based Business Advocate for the entire New England region.

Jane continues to share inspirational, yet practical lessons with creative professionals.

In addition to coaching, speaking nationally and blogging, she hosts Remarkable Women networking events and seasonal retreats. Ever-current with today’s business challenges, she recently re-released Soul Proprietor, complete with updated, timely lessons on pursuing your dreams during an economic downturn and leveraging new technology to authentically promote your business.