Member story

Jen Kilman

How Jen Turned Her Personal Experience Into a Purpose-Driven Business With Confidence From Day One

The short version

From feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start, to launching her first program and gaining real traction – Jen built her business with clarity, confidence, and a focus on revenue.

“I actually just started… but I jumped on it.”

Jen Kilman didn’t spend years planning her business – she took action when the right idea came along.

After working in the corporate world, she had always wanted to build something of her own. But like many aspiring entrepreneurs, she struggled to find the right idea.

That changed when she experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating perimenopause while working.

“I lived through it… and I realized there just weren’t resources.”

That insight became the foundation of her business: performance coaching for women over 40, helping them evolve into who they want to become.

The Biggest Challenge: Overwhelm

Even with a strong idea, Jen quickly ran into a common problem – figuring out how to actually build and market a business online.

“I would start researching… and then I would get very overwhelmed. And then I would stop.”

She knew she needed to show up online and build a digital presence – but without a clear plan, it felt like too much.

Building the Right Way From the Start

Joining the GeekPack + Verizon Digital Ready Cohort gave Jen exactly what she was missing: structure and direction.

Instead of guessing, she was able to build her business the right way from day one.

“It helped me build it from the get-go… instead of building it the wrong way and having to go back and fix it.”

What made the biggest difference was the program’s focus on one key question:

“Is this going to drive revenue?”

This became her filter for everything – cutting through the noise and helping her stay focused on what actually matters.

From Idea to Real Progress

With that clarity, Jen didn’t just learn – she implemented.

She built out her first coaching program and began testing it with real people.

“I’ve built what my initial program is going to be… and I’ve been able to build that out with some beta test.”

At the same time, she started approaching her marketing differently – focusing less on just posting, and more on connection.

“It’s not just about posting – it’s about interacting… and building relationships.”

A Massive Boost in Confidence

Before the cohort, Jen struggled with uncertainty and second-guessing.

Now, she shows up with confidence – not just in her skills, but in her business.

“100%. I feel more confident.”

She’s talking about her business more, putting herself out there, and seeing real validation from her audience.

“The more I talk about it, the more people say, ‘Oh my gosh, yes – we need that.’”

Some are even referring others to her – proof that she’s building something people truly want.

Not Doing It Alone

One of the biggest shifts for Jen was realizing she didn’t have to figure everything out on her own.

“You’re not by yourself… so many times as entrepreneurs, we feel alone.”

Through the cohort, she found a community of people building businesses alongside her – sharing ideas, offering support, and helping each other grow.

“It truly felt like they wanted to help me build my business.”

The Takeaway That Changed Everything

If there’s one lesson Jen will carry forward, it’s this:

“Simplify… and really focus on what’s going to drive revenue.”

Instead of trying to do everything, she now focuses on what actually moves her business forward – one step at a time.

Looking Ahead

Jen is still in the early stages of her business – but the difference is clear.

She’s no longer stuck in overwhelm. She has direction, confidence, and momentum.

“I’m so excited about the future and the potential.”

And with a validated idea, a growing audience, and a clear focus on revenue – she’s building a business designed to grow.

Read the full interview

Can you share a quick overview of your business?

I’m a business of one. I’m a performance coach for women over 40, focused on helping them recalibrate through perimenopause while they’re still working. It’s not about going back to who they were, but helping them evolve into who they want to become. It’s an area where there’s a huge need right now.

How long have you been in business or worked in this role?

I just started in the last couple of months. I’ve wanted to do something for a long time but couldn’t find exactly what it was. This idea came about from my own experience, and I jumped on it.

Do you have any employees (if so, how many)?

No, it’s just me right now. But I would love to build out a team as the business grows.

What problems were you looking to solve by signing up for the GeekPack + Verizon Cohort?

Being so new, I needed to create a marketing plan and figure out the best ways to market my business. I wasn’t very active on social media, so having resources to build that from scratch was really appealing.

I also really appreciated that the cohort focused on driving revenue. That constant focus on “is this going to drive revenue?” helped guide everything I was doing and made it much clearer what I should prioritize.

Have you tried to learn about improving your digital presence before?

Yes, but I would get overwhelmed. I’d start researching, do well for a few weeks, and then stop because it felt like too much.

The way the cohort was structured – focusing on one thing at a time and tying it back to revenue – helped reduce that overwhelm significantly.

Have you seen any tangible returns (more money, more customers, client feedback) from implementing what you learned?

I’m still very new, but I’ve seen great feedback. I’ve also built out my initial program and started beta testing it, which is really exciting.

Do you feel more confident with digital skills for your business than you did before?

100%. I now understand that it’s not just about posting content – it’s about interacting with people, engaging with similar content, and building relationships. That’s helped me start building my brand and feel much more confident.

What were your biggest challenges during the cohort or with the courses?

The timing of the live sessions was difficult since I work full-time – they were in the middle of my workday. I tried to attend as many as I could and watched replays when I couldn’t.

The live sessions were really valuable because it was helpful to hear from others in different industries and see how their ideas could apply to my business.

What else would benefit your business for you to learn?

I’d like to become more confident in asking for the sale. I’m comfortable talking about what I do and how I help, but I need to improve at actually asking, “Can I help you?” and turning that into business.

Did you feel supported when going through the Digital Ready courses and being part of the GeekPack cohort community?

Yes, 100%. Everyone in GeekPack has been fantastic. People are always willing to help, answer questions, and walk you through things.

Once I became more engaged, I realized how large and supportive the team and community really are. The cohort leader was incredibly positive and also asked thought – provoking questions that helped me focus on what really matters.

Did joining the GeekPack cohort help with your progress in the Digital Ready courses?

Yes. The structure, support, and ongoing focus helped me stay on track and keep moving forward, especially compared to how I struggled with overwhelm before.

What was your most impactful takeaway from your time in the GeekPack cohort?

To simplify and focus on what drives revenue. I was initially overwhelmed trying to do everything, but it really comes down to identifying how to get customers and repeating that process.

In your opinion, what is the most valuable part of being in the Cohort?

Not feeling alone. As an entrepreneur, it can feel isolating, especially when you’re a team of one.

Being part of a community where people are going through similar experiences, sharing ideas, and supporting each other was incredibly valuable.

What’s your number one tip for someone who wants to learn a new skill/move forward in their business?

Cut out the noise and focus on what actions will drive revenue. Even if it’s just one small action per day, staying focused on that makes a big difference.

What does the future look like for your business?

I’m very excited about the future. As I’ve become more confident and started talking about my business more, I’ve seen how much it’s needed.

People are responding positively and even referring others to me. I’m excited to continue growing, building connections, and being part of supportive communities like GeekPack as I move forward.

The newsletter