Her Story
About Jessica
Jessica Nicole Gardiner is a Fine Jewelry Supervisor at JCPenney in Colorado, bringing nearly 30 years of retail experience alongside a strong academic and professional background in science and education. Jessica began her career in jewelry sales while pursuing her studies in chemistry and has since gained experience across multiple retail environments. In her current role, Jessica oversees the fine jewelry department, managing daily operations, staff oversight, hiring and training, and front-end and back-end processes. Her leadership experience has positioned her as a key resource within the department, where she works to maintain effective operations and provide a positive customer experience.
Jessica’s professional journey is distinguished by her diverse background in science and education. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Colorado and an associate degree in Science from Red Rocks Community College. Her scientific experience includes work as a Research Use Only oligonucleotide chemist, molecular biologist in a Biosafety Level 2 research laboratory, and Clinical Laboratory Technician in a Molecular Genetics Laboratory. She also spent approximately six years working in education, teaching students from preschool through higher education in both traditional classroom and online settings. Her commitment to science education extended into volunteer service as a Science Fair Judge and Science Coach with the American Chemical Society.
Throughout her career, Jessica has been guided by a strong work ethic and the support of influential women, including family members and mentors who helped shape her professional development. She values loyalty, respect, compassion, humility, and passion, believing that being committed to meaningful work and making each day productive are essential to success. Looking toward the future, Jessica hopes to advance into a broader management position, potentially pursuing a store manager role as her organization continues to grow. She encourages young women entering retail to remain open-minded, embrace a growth mindset, and recognize that every position offers transferable skills and opportunities for professional growth.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jessica
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my upbringing, strong work ethic, and the support of the people who have encouraged me along the way. I am especially grateful for the strong women in my life, including my sister, cousins, and the mentors and managers who trained and guided me throughout my career.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to value mentorship and recognize the impact of people who believe in your potential. Several strong women in my career invested their time, knowledge, and guidance in me, helping me develop the skills and confidence to succeed. Their support taught me that great leaders not only teach but also recognize potential, create opportunities, and empower others to grow.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to remain open-minded and willing to learn. Even in your first job, you are developing valuable skills that may be transferable to many different opportunities. Maintain a growth mindset, recognize the value of what you are learning, and believe that you can continue to grow, learn, and achieve your goals.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in retail and fine jewelry are the fast pace, employee turnover, and constant need for training, which require adaptability and strong leadership. As a woman who is often perceived as younger than I am, I have also learned to overcome assumptions by demonstrating professionalism, confidence, knowledge, and consistency. At the same time, these challenges create opportunities to grow as a leader, develop teams, understand customers, and adapt to an evolving industry.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are loyalty, respect, compassion, humility, and passion. I believe in bringing genuine enthusiasm to everything I do, regardless of my position, while striving to be the best person and professional I can be each day. I make a conscious effort to stay productive, positive, and purposeful, even when challenges or fatigue make it difficult.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.