Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/477247
www.HartfordBusiness.com July 21, 2014 • Hartford Business Journal 21 Jennifer R. Fiereck Age: 36 Title at work/what I do: President/Owner of J. Fi- ereck Photography. I have the best job ever. I capture and preserve moments in time that become a story and trea- sured history for my clients. I am one of only 25 Certified Professional Photographers in Connecticut. My business offers commercial, wedding, and portrait photography services. As with any small business owner, I wear many hats, which include: photographer, webmaster, book keeper, marketing manager, and janitor. Town where I work: Manchester Town where I live: Manchester College I attended: University of Connecticut My passion, hobby or special talent: Photogra- phy, of course Twitter handle: @jfiereck No. of LinkedIn connections: 345 Favorite place to network: HBJ events Favorite drink at a networking event: Ginger ale (because I'm usually working at the events) How do I create connections in my profes- sional life? It's amazing what a smile and a good handshake can do. Connecting with peo- ple is more about listening and less about talking. And I truly believe in the art of the handwritten note and a follow-up phone call. My business has embraced technology and social media, but we haven't forgotten the old-school ways of communicating. What's been my biggest challenge professionally? Geez. That's a hard one to answer. Being self- employed has a myriad of challenges no matter what industry. I would have to say the two big- gest challenges are staying self-motivated and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. One of the perks of my job is I do much of my work in the comfort of my home wearing yoga pants and a T-shirt. However, when you work from home you are always at work. I am not complaining at all, but I have to make a conscious effort to set boundaries. Having two daughters under 4 certainly helped me set those boundaries. When my sitter leaves for the day, I close my office door and put on my mom hat. I don't see myself as having a job, because I truly love what I do and photography is such a big part of my identity and spirit. Being self-employed, to me, is a lifestyle. What is the best advice I received? In the fall of 2008, I was working full-time at an advertising and public relations firm and running my photography business on the side. I was getting burned out. My husband, Dave, suggested I quit my real job to focus on the photography business. I remember him saying, "Let's give it a year. If it doesn't work you can always go get a real job. But you'll never know unless you try." I took the plunge into self-employment and I haven't had to get a real job yet. Sometimes all you need is that little push from someone you trust and love. What do I want my legacy to be? For me, it's not about being the most talent- ed, award-winning photographer or where my work is published. None of that matters. It's about how I make my family, friends, clients, and colleagues feel. Did I make you smile or feel good about yourself? Was I honest? Did I give you my absolute best effort and atten- tion? Do you know that you can always count on me? At the end of the day, I hope the answer to all of those questions is yes. 40 Under Forty 2014 From 2011-2013, TheKnot.com recognized Jennifer's photography as a Best of Weddings award winner. FUN FACT Molly Devanney Age: 36 Title at work: Vice president in charge of public relations at Highland Park Market. Highland Park Market has been our family business since 1953 when my grandfather bought the flagship store. We are now the third family and third generation who have run Highland Park Markets. I am so fortunate to work with my dad, two brothers, and two of my sisters. My role is public relations. I spend most of my time out in the communities in the towns we have stores supporting com- munity events and functions. Four years ago, we started fundraising for our Highland Park Families Foundation. To date, we have been able to give back over $150,000 to our host communities Town where I work: Manchester Town where I live: Manchester College I attended: Bryant University (undergrad); St. Joseph's University (master's degree) My passion, hobby or special talent: Enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, cooking and eating out Twitter handle: @mollyd78 No. of LinkedIn connections: 500+ Favorite place to network: Charity events – golf tournaments, community volunteer activities Favorite drink at a networking event: Captain Morgan and Diet Coke How do I create connections in my profes- sional life? Volunteering! Most of my connections are made outside of the office. I have been a part of amazing organizations in this area includ- ing: the Manchester Road Race, Purple Heart Homes, Visiting Nurse & Health Ser- vices of Connecticut Inc., The Manchester Scholarship Foundation, The Mayors Pro- gram for Manchester Children, Town of Man- chester Fireworks, Lutz Children's Museum, Eastern Connecticut Health Network, MARC Inc. of Manchester, Rebuilding Together. These groups have helped me connect with so many wonderful and generous people throughout the Hartford community. What's been my biggest challenge professionally? My biggest challenge is keeping up with the current trends in technology. Being able to adapt and utilize the latest technology and stand behind it in a positive way for your employees is not always easy. From online grocery shopping, to new time clocks, reg- isters, scales, Facebook, Twitter, and how people interact and approach a business has changed drastically. What is the best advice I received? My father has always taught all of his chil- dren and his employees that there are two words to live by and if you can take those two words and live by them it simplifies life. "Be Nice" is the motto my mother and father have pushed onto all of us. If you're nice to your family, employees, children, and cus- tomers, the rest will take care of itself. It sounds so simple but trying to live it every day is challenging. What do I want my legacy to be? I want to be remembered as someone who gave it her all and did the best she could every day. I want to be remembered as a good daughter, sister, aunt, granddaughter, coworker, and friend. 40 Under Forty 2014 In her Twitter profile, Molly says she wants to move to Ireland for a year and is just waiting for the right time. FUN FACT