GOAT TALES #06
Jenna Isaacman, founder of trading in style
29 JULY 2024, WRITTEN BY JACKIE BARON
In the spirit of Neon Goat's vibrant energy, could you share a moment when your teen son brought an unexpected splash of colour into your life or business?
I do remember the first time I found a can of deodorant in his room, he had gone and bought one himself from the pharmacy. I remember thinking I can’t believe I have a young boy who now smells like a grown man 🙈
Teen-Inspired Innovation: Has your teen son ever given you a business idea or insight that was so brilliant it made you think, "Why didn't I think of that?" What was it, and how did it influence your business?
Jack is full of great ideas and I love chatting to him about all things business. He often gives me ideas on how to grow my business in terms of social media and often teaches me things I didn’t know including using ChatGPT and TikTok which have both been very helpful ❤️
The Teenage Perspective: Living with a teenager can be like riding a roller coaster in the dark. What's one challenge you've faced while living with your teen son, and how did you turn it into a positive experience?
I find this is an age where they really start pushing the boundaries and Jack is fiercely independent. I find Jack is always wanting more independence even though he is still only a young teen. We make sure to always set boundaries and have clear communication and definitely curfews!
Time-Travel Tips: If you could step into a time machine and visit your teenage self, what cheeky piece of advice would you give yourself about navigating the future, especially knowing what you do now about business and life?
Don’t sweat the small stuff! I would tell myself not to stress out so much about school and if I didn’t do so well in an exam then it’s not the end of the world. What really matters is being kind, respectful , a great friend and finding what you really love doing and are passionate about . If you are lucky enough to make a career out of your passion, your work will become one of your greatest joys . Everything happens for a reason and gets you to where you are meant to be.
Admirable Traits: Teenagers often teach us more about life than we realize. What's one thing you admire most about your teen son, or what have you learned from him that's been surprisingly profound?
Jack is extremely confident, way more confident than I ever was as a kid. He isn’t scared of what people think and always follows his true passions. He doesn’t follow the crowd and doesn’t have FOMO, which I find interesting and admirable for a teenager. He has incredible strength and determination. If he wants to learn to do something, he doesnt stop until he gets it right.
Navigating the Teen Terrain: Teens are known for their mood swings and monosyllabic responses. What's your secret to getting your teen son to open up and engage in meaningful conversations, especially about life and your business?
Eating dinner as a family every night or most nights for us is very important and a time when we connect as a family. I also find that if I lie on his bed at night just before it’s time to go to sleep, that's the best time for a chat. If I ask him after school how his day was I get “fine!”. I now realise he doesn’t feel like talking about the day as soon as he comes home from school and I get it. It’s all about timing and waiting until everyone is calm and relaxed. Also, I think it’s good to ask questions and try and make them talk even if they seem to not want to , there’s always a way to get them talking if and when the time is right.
Jenna is a Founder of Trading In Style - a luxury consignment store; timeless, modern and considered - renowned for a dynamic shopping experience founded in 2018.
@jennaisaacman
GOAT TALES #06: JENNA ISAACMAN
SHOP THE STORY
Read More
