Episode 5: From Burnout to Business Success: The Journey of Jenifer Namestka

Listen to the full episode of The Joy CEO Podcast with Jenifer Namestka

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📲 Follow Jenifer on LinkedIn at JD Namestka

🌐 Learn more about AVO Solutions at avoinc.com

What does it really take to pivot from corporate life to building a mission-driven business that actually works?

In this episode of The Joy CEO Podcast, Lori sits down with Jenifer Namestka—CEO of AVO Solutions—to unpack how she went from burnt out and laid off to leading a thriving, people-first consulting firm that’s redefining change management.

Jenifer’s journey wasn’t fast or flashy. It was layered, intentional, and full of quiet courage. And in this conversation, she shares the mindset shifts, leadership practices, and boundaries that made her pivot not just possible—but deeply joyful.

Whether you're considering a bold career move or craving more alignment in your leadership, this episode is full of real talk and tangible insight.

🔑 Key Themes from the Episode:

1. You Don’t Need It All Figured Out to Begin

Jenifer didn’t launch AVO Solutions with a polished business plan. She started with what she did know: how to problem-solve, self-assess, and build trust. Over time, that evolved into a proven change management model and a company that thrives on transparency and results.

“I didn’t have it all mapped out. I followed the clues and built what felt true.”

2. Create a Company Culture That Honors Real Life

AVO Solutions isn’t just client-focused—it’s employee-centered too. Jenifer built her team intentionally, hiring women with advanced degrees who had been burnt out by traditional workplaces. Her onboarding includes detoxing from hustle culture, redefining boundaries, and even welcome packages with Jo Malone candles and Jellycat plushies to remind her team: you’re worth it.

3. Leadership Means Being the Thermostat, Not the Thermometer

A former educator, Jenifer borrowed a powerful metaphor from her ministry days: “Be the thermostat, not the thermometer.” In other words, don’t just reflect the room—set the tone. She’s done just that, leading with warmth, clarity, and high expectations without toxicity.

4. Boundaries and Structure Are Leadership, Too

From hiring support to wrap Christmas gifts to finally realizing she was responsible for feeding herself well (a hard truth Lori helped her name), Jenifer shares how learning to stop minimizing herself was one of the biggest leadership shifts of her life.

“I kept canceling on myself. I needed to stop treating my own needs like they were optional.”

5. Pivoting Takes Nerve—but Also a New Definition of Success

When Jenifer got laid off, she didn’t rush to replace her income. She redefined success as “beating unemployment”—a small win that gave her room to experiment. That mindset shift sparked what is now a nationally respected firm.

“My pivot didn’t start with a master plan. It started with letting go of what was burning me out.”

6. Relationships Still Matter Most

From referrals to new client connections, Jenifer’s growth has been deeply relational. Showing up, saying yes to opportunities, and staying humble have been her secret weapons. As Lori reminds us: “It’s not about the how—it’s about the who.”

✨ Leadership Lessons to Take With You:

• Build your business (or your team) around your core values—and infuse them into everything.
• You don’t have to hustle harder to prove yourself. Structure is strategy. Boundaries are power.
• Your joy isn’t a reward for burning out—it’s a requirement for leading well.
• Sometimes success looks like lighting a candle, putting on lotion, and showing up as yourself.

📝 Journal Prompt:

“Where have I been canceling on myself—and what would it look like to show up like I matter?”