Her Story
About Jennifer
Jennifer Howell is an entrepreneur, mentor, and community advocate whose career has been defined by creativity, leadership, and empowering others through personal reinvention. Based in Lucedale, Mississippi, Jennifer spent 24 years building and operating Jennifer's School of Dance, where she not only taught dance but also became a trusted mentor to generations of young women. Over the years, she cultivated meaningful relationships with her students that continue long after they left her studio, many of whom still turn to her for guidance and encouragement. Her dedication to mentorship and personal growth became a cornerstone of her professional journey and continues to shape her work today. After transitioning from the dance industry, Jennifer reinvented her career by stepping into real estate, digital marketing, and online brand development. For the past several years, she has focused on helping women navigate major life transitions by teaching them how to leverage social media and online platforms to create income and independence. She transformed her former dance studio into a TikTok shop studio and women’s workout space, using it as a hub for content creation, coaching, and empowerment. Through her expertise in social media marketing and branding, Jennifer not only promotes her own real estate business but also helps fellow agents strengthen their online presence through engaging video content and strategic digital storytelling. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Jennifer is deeply committed to serving her community. As an active member of the Junior Auxiliary, she participates in programs that support children, assist underserved families, and bring companionship to nursing home residents. Jennifer approaches each day with a strong sense of purpose grounded in faith, mindset development, and self-care. Whether she is coaching women through life changes, creating marketing content, or helping families find homes, Jennifer’s mission remains centered on uplifting others and proving that reinvention is always possible.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jennifer
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the Lord and my faith, first and foremost. But honestly, not having a choice was a huge motivator. I went through a divorce and found myself vulnerable in a community I didn't grow up in, which was probably the hardest thing I've ever done. I had two dependent children who needed me full-time, and I was their sole provider and caregiver. Everything was on my shoulders, so that was pretty much my motivation to go out and be the best I could, to give them the best that I possibly could. The need to feel safe and having to create it for myself drove me forward.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is to put myself out there, make myself visible, and start scared. You have to do it scared, and then practice makes perfect. I live by the motto: if at first you don't succeed, try reading the directions. That's really important because there are directions for pretty much anything, even grief. There's directions for it.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women to trust themselves and put themselves out there. Do not be afraid. Just go after it with all your heart. You have to be willing to take risks and believe in yourself. Above all seek the Lord first and foremost.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge I've faced has been having to rebuild myself in the public eye. I went through a really public divorce that was humiliating, and I had a mental health crisis. I kind of fell apart in public and had to rebuild in public. That was a huge challenge. Being a dance studio owner in a small town, I was like a fixture of the town, so everybody knew who I was. When my life fell apart, people wondered if I would or could pick up the pieces. But when other women see that I did it and I overcame it, I immediately give hope. That's become my opportunity - to show other women they can overcome and start new.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are integrity, honesty, and being present. I'm not fake, I'm real, and I have always treated people with respect. I treat people's money the way I would treat my own. When I had my dance studio, I treated their children the way I would want my children treated. Those values have guided everything I do.
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