Episode 288
Building Community, Not Just Business | Jennifer Kornoely on Book Clubs, Networking, and Entrepreneurial Freedom
Starting a business is exciting—but it can also be incredibly lonely.
Many entrepreneurs know how to deliver a great product or service, yet struggle with marketing, networking, finances, and finding people who truly understand the journey.
Without community, building a business can feel overwhelming.
Too many business owners try to figure everything out on their own.
They hesitate to network, avoid putting themselves online, and miss opportunities simply because they don't have the right people in their corner.
Success isn't just about working harder—it's about building relationships that open doors.
In this episode, Jeff Kikel sits down with Jennifer Kornoely, entrepreneur, real estate photographer, and founder of She Reads She Leads, a business book club and membership community helping women grow through books, networking, and meaningful conversations.
Jennifer shares how she taught herself entrepreneurship through audiobooks, why she pivoted from photography into building a thriving membership community, and how networking transformed both her business and personal life.
In this episode you'll learn:
- Why entrepreneurs need community more than ever
- How Jennifer built a membership business from scratch
- The importance of networking and relationship-building
- Why reading business books accelerated her entrepreneurial journey
- Lessons learned from launching—and growing—a community
- How outsourcing helped her focus on her zone of genius
Whether you're building your first business or looking to create recurring income through a membership model, this episode is packed with practical advice for achieving your own Freedom Day.
👉 Subscribe and follow the Freedom Nation Podcast for more conversations about entrepreneurship, financial freedom, passive income, and building a life on your own terms.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Why Jennifer left traditional employment to build her own business.
- How audiobooks became her unofficial MBA.
- The loneliness many entrepreneurs experience—and how community solves it.
- How She Reads She Leads was born from a desire for connection.
- Why membership businesses create predictable recurring income.
- The biggest mistakes Jennifer made when launching her community.
- Why getting comfortable on camera helped grow her audience.
- How outsourcing accelerated her business growth.
- The power of networking and becoming a "super connector."
- Why personal finance should be the first subject every entrepreneur studies.
About the Guest:
Jen is the founder of She Reads She Leads, a collaborative online book club for entrepreneurial women using non-fiction books that will help us grow, and are the vehicles for conversations that let us all be both mentors and mentees.
Links:
https://www.shereadssheleads.com/
https://www.facebook.com/jenniferkornoely
https://www.instagram.com/she_reads_she_leads/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifersharpkornoely/
Fast Five Questions:
- If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? "Join BNI. I'm gonna visit all the other chapters."
- What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? ""Not realizing the impact of building relationships and having a community. It is one thousand percent make or break the relationships that you have."
- What is a book that you would recommend? "Everyone needs to start with personal finance books." Networking recommendation: The Wealth of Connection by Vincent Pugliese.
- What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? "Social media. My library card."
- "What is your definition of freedom? "To be able to do what I want and not worry about how much the cost of eggs is. Freedom is to be able to have control of where you are and when you are. I don't want to have to count my pennies all the time."
About Jeff:
Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation
Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/
Connect with Jeff:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/
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