Jeanna Hodge

I attribute my success to my ability to pivot and make my family my priority while still maintaining my professional identity. What I'm most proud of is not just my career, but how I was able to balance both. I made the decision to run my own company when my children were young so I could be there for them, and that experience made me a much more confident person and leader. When my kids were raised, I was able to take everything I had learned and go back into the industry, and I was able to build myself as a leader based on all those experiences. I've shown that women can have it all - you might have to make some sacrifices here and there, but you can do it. I didn't make the kind of money I could have if I had stayed in executive roles the whole time, and I could have retired by now or been higher up, but I wouldn't have gotten that balance in my life that I needed. My success comes from understanding that you can be hugely successful in your career while also being present for your family.

Don't give up your career even when you need to pull back to prioritize family. I tell my daughter-in-laws, who are both making decisions to pull back on their careers after having babies, to spend this time with their children but to find something that's just for them so they can stay in the market and stay relevant. Even though you're a mom, you still need to keep your identity. That way, when your children do grow up, you still feel you can make it on your own and you're not just dependent on your husbands - you can get out there and still do it. You might have to make some sacrifices and you might not make as much money as you could have, but you can have both a successful career and be there for your family. Women can do it all.

Family is absolutely my top priority - if anybody asks me what I'm most proud of, it's not my career, it's my family. I believe in being present and hands-on, whether that's with my family or in my work. In my professional life, I value not sitting in an office but getting on the floor and working alongside my team, showing up at 4 in the morning when needed to make numbers. I believe in finding and developing talent from within, promoting people who show potential even if they're in different roles. Health and fitness are also very important to me - I need to stay as healthy as possible so I can chase after my grandbabies, and I'm a better employee and better in my job when I'm going to the gym and either working out my frustrations or staying as healthy as I can. I also value creativity and love being able to help others, whether that's through interior design, party planning, or just being there for my friends and family. Ultimately, it's about balance - being able to support myself and my family financially while also being present for the moments that matter most.