Was there a man who supported you along the way? That’s what Andrea Guendelman, cofounder and CEO of BeVisible and I asked the women in this Self-Made Women series.
What we heard is that the relationships these women cultivated with smart men have been as vital to their success as the number of amazing women they have worked for and with along the way.
Jessica Teal, the 38-year-old Principal of Teal Media and Designer for the U.S. Digital Service at The White House (transforming how the government works for the American people) knows that a mentor doesn’t always need to look like you:
Two men immediately come to mind. The first is Joe Rospars, CEO, Blue State Digital. Joe took a chance on me. Joe brought me on-board at the Democratic National Committee, despite my lack of direct political experience. He saw promise in my “movement-building abilities” after spotting a personal website of mine --teamjess.com, which was essentially a self-help fan club I created for myself after going through a tough time. Taking Joe’s lead, I immersed myself in the work and discovered a new passion at the intersection of technology, design, and politics. I then followed Joe to two more jobs -- Blue State Digital and the Obama ‘08 Presidential campaign. I initially turned down both opportunities, but Joe was persistent -- thankfully. Those opportunities changed my life and allowed me to start the business that I have today. Joe also somehow managed to fly me out the morning of the Inauguration so that I could attend (wearing my wedding dress under my winter coat so that I could head to one of the balls afterwards, but that is another story!). Joe has had faith in me when I wasn’t sure of myself. Without Joe, I would not have the opportunities that I do now.
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And my husband, Jon Teal, Vice President/Senior Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch. Jon has been my unwavering supporter since we met in 2006. Though I received the offer to join the Obama campaign a mere six months after I had relocated from Washington, DC to Michigan to be with him when we got engaged, he would not let me say no to such an amazing opportunity. Our wedding was in September of 2008, a critical time during the election season. Jon drove from Michigan, picked me up in Chicago, and then we drove to Minnesota to get married in my parents’ backyard. Then, after the wedding, he dropped me off in Chicago on his way home and I didn’t see him until after the election. Jon has been there for me through the victories, the failures, and everything in between. He listens to me talk about my work night after night after night and has an innate ability to put everything in perspective. Jon is a steadfast supporter of me and my business, and does everything in his power to help me succeed. I could not do any of this without him. He is my true partner in this crazy journey called life."
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