Short "About Julie" Story: 

 I am one of those kinds of people that LOVES to connect with people and connect people together, and I do it out of the kindness of my heart because I care about people so much… meaning, there aren’t any strings attached!  Simply put, I am a person of harmony and believe we are all here in this world together so we might as well do our very best to get along, work together and help each other so we are all successful!  I have turned that passion into a way I do business and am combining my businesses, passions, and interests together through this website including my hand beaded jewelry, my online travel website, my networking events, as well as recommending to you people that I know and trust. 

There is a lot for you to look at and read through on my site – thanks for taking the time to check it out!
~Julie Jacky

Long "About Julie" Story:

I was born December 1st 19… just kidding! I am not going to start back that far! (Well, I could… because I have an interesting story around that, too, but that would be under “Longer About Julie Story” and I haven’t started writing that book, yet.)

Starting when I was a teenager, I dreamed about owning my own retail store.  I worked in retail, got my degree in retail and then managed a retail store.  Well, you have heard before life changes when you have kids, haven’t you? Mine did!  After I had my son, I put my dream on hold and quit retail because I didn’t want to work nights, weekends and holidays anymore… it just wasn’t worth missing seeing him grow up!

When I left retail I headed to the corporate world.  I worked at a large insurance company downtown St. Paul, Minnesota for several years.  My favorite job there was working in the Diversity Department.  Wow!  I learned so much, grew tremendously as a person, and met some friends that have had a huge impact on my life and am still in touch with today.

When things got tough in the insurance industry that department was cut.  Shortly after that I headed across the street to a large software company where I worked in Organizational Development.  At that company I was required to have my security badge with me pretty much at all times.  I wore nice dress clothes to work and then put on a “shoe-string” to hold my security badge… Didn’t like that look too much so I decided to hand-bead a lanyard to hold my security badge… little did I know that was the start to my jewelry business!

Then in May 2006 I received notice that my job would end.  Since I received a severance package, I decided to take the summer off and enjoy time with my son.  While on vacation with my son in California, at my brothers, for the first time in a long time I really took the time to totally enjoy EVERY minute with my son.  I remember asking my son what he thought was my favorite part of the trip and after naming a few things that we did together I said to him, “Those are all great things we did together. I totally enjoyed them, and my favorite part of the trip is spending time with you!”

After sharing that conversation with my son I took some time to reflect on the past 9 years of my life… and in that moment, I KNEW that I needed to find a way to spend more time with my son because he was growing up way too fast and I wanted to be a bigger part of his life!  Life is too precious to let is pass by without enjoying the special people in our lives!  I had been too scared to take that leap of faith but now I KNEW this was my chance for change and I needed to take it!

It’s been over 5 years now since I took that leap of faith and to tell the truth, there have been a lot of ups and downs.  And I certainly can’t say it has been easy building my businesses – but I can proudly say I am doing it! I have learned so much, gained so many new skills, and met so many wonderful people.  Even though it has taken longer than I thought and has had some unexpected twists and turns along the way I know that everything happens for a reason and a purpose and I know that I am sure blessed with wonderful family, friends and business partners in my life that have been so incredibly supportive of me.  In fact, I know I wouldn’t be writing this to you without their help and belief in me!  So – THANK YOU to my supporters!

And really, I do this all for my son. He is the passion that fuels my fire!  He needs to know without a doubt that he can do anything he sets his mind to do and that with God on his side, all things are possible!