In Conversation
Jessica Yost for Bold. Brilliant. Unstoppable.
Read the transcript
Jessica Yost: Being an influential woman to me means making sure my people feel safe around me. So what that looks like on my team at work is if something comes up with your kiddo or your health and you need to move a deadline around or something of that nature. You feel safe enough to come to me and let me know and know I'm not gonna jump all over you, but know that I am gonna move things around and make it so that you can focus on the most important things in the life, which is your health and your kids and your family and your friends and your well-being. And when it comes to friends and family, it's knowing that they can confide in me, they can make that late night call when they need something and know that they're not going to get judgment and that I am going to show up for them. Influence is based in trust. And so when you make sure that folks feel safe around you, you give them the grace that you've probably also been given, it creates this net of safety and trust that allows real influence to flow.
What's one piece of advice you would give to younger women chasing their dreams?
Jessica Yost: To the younger women chasing their dreams, oh my goodness. The best piece of advice I can give you is to not take anyone's advice, but to follow your gut and just know that the road is long and you're really only in competition with yourself. It doesn't mean you're always gonna make the right decision. Of course, you're gonna make mistakes and fail. But hopefully, you'll learn to use those as data points to push you where you want to go. And the fact of the matter is nobody knows what's coming around the bend. I could tell you in my life, I have been thrown for loop after loop after loop, and yet I am. Experiencing the best life I've ever had at my age. So, I can't tell you that it always gets better because of course, we always want to learn and grow and do more, but just know that your gut and your intuition, if you're willing to do the work of self-reflection and, and really honing your skills and being the best person you can be. And doing your best always and trying hard and always show up, your gut will lead you where you need to go. So just relax and enjoy the journey and have fun.
Her Story
About Jessica
Jessica Yost is a strategic marketing consultant whose career path reflects resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to growth. Although she has built her career in marketing, her journey began in New York City, where she explored the possibility of a professional dance career. While immersed in the city’s demanding creative scene, she gained early exposure to high-profile events through work with MTV and TRL, supporting celebrity-driven productions. Originally pursuing a degree in psychology with plans to dance professionally, Jessica discovered a passion for marketing and made a decisive pivot—recognizing both the creative and strategic opportunities the field offered.
Over the years, Jessica has developed a diverse and dynamic marketing career, ultimately joining Powerhouse Planning in 2016 as a strategic marketing consultant. In this fully remote, full-service firm, she operates as a versatile 1099 professional, contributing across project management, copywriting, social media strategy, public relations, and content development. Her work spans a wide range of clients—from small nonprofits to large global organizations—demonstrating her ability to adapt and deliver results across industries. Known for her strong communication skills and strategic mindset, Jessica brings both creativity and discipline to every engagement, helping clients build meaningful, results-driven marketing initiatives.
Jessica’s personal journey is equally inspiring, marked by perseverance and reinvention. After navigating the challenges of military life as a Navy spouse and an unexpected divorce, she rebuilt her life with intention—traveling extensively, completing a marathon, and embracing a renewed sense of independence and purpose. A former dancer who overcame major hip reconstruction to become a dedicated runner, she embodies resilience in every sense. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys hiking along the Potomac River with her dog, attending live music events, and supporting causes like the Travis Manion Foundation. Guided by gratitude and a strong inner compass, she continues to approach both life and career with authenticity, strength, and optimism.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jessica
01What do you attribute your success to?
I honestly couldn't tell you exactly where it comes from, but I think going through my divorce and how blindsided I was really shaped me. When I told people I was getting divorced, they were so puzzled because his friends were saying they would love a wife like me - that I'm a cheerleader, I do all the things, I'm interesting. A friend said if that happened to them, they would be on the couch, 400 pounds, and wouldn't have gotten up. But somehow within me, I have a natural ability to see silver linings. Somebody, maybe Mark Twain, said the depth to which you experience pain and sadness and suffering is the exact same amount of joy and happiness you can consume. Being a military spouse, people die at the drop of a hat, and you never know - we're all living on borrowed time. Life is so short, and I believe that if we're still here and we still have breath in our lungs, we absolutely have a reason to be here, even if that is just to be good to other people and create relationships and live every day full of gratitude. Things can always be better, but they could always be worse. I've learned that if I don't take care of myself first, I can't fully take care of other people. If I don't get sleep, feed myself well, get in a workout, make sure my house is tidy, all of these things add up. I've been given so much and I'm blessed with so much, and I think it's part of my job to always pay that forward too.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've received is to always put yourself first, because if you don't, you can't show up for the people you love. I learned this from my strength coach who trained me for the marathon. He's an incredible human with incredible drive, and he has two super sweet little girls, 5 and 10. He's a single dad who still wakes up every morning, travels constantly for work, and gets in his workout every single day. He's constantly telling me that you have to put yourself first, because if you don't, you can't show up for the people you love. If he can do that with two little girls and he doesn't know what he's doing, then I can do it too. I don't have kids, so I can get up, I can get in my workout. He taught me that lesson about self-care being essential to being able to care for others.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't listen to any advice. Truly, just do what you know is best for yourself, and it'll work out. You know yourself and your gut, and what you should be doing better than anybody, and every time I've tried to do what I'm quote-unquote should be doing, it never works out as well as when I just do what I know is right. I've had that same instinct from when I was a little kid, and it's always served me well. It doesn't mean it's easy, but just know what you want, and have a plan to get there, and know that it's probably gonna change. The biggest thing I could ever tell anybody is to always practice gratitude and be where your feet are - that's something you learn when you're running. Yeah, you want to get to the finish line, but the actual race is the experience. If you had finish line after finish line, that wouldn't do anything. It's the training, and it's the showing up at the start line with the nerves, and going through the pain and suffering of a race, and then you get the accomplishment. You have to be grateful for everything.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · Virginia
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.