Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Cline
Hi Jennifer, I’m so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
From a widow at 37, left with the responsibility of two young children, I found solace and purpose in my husband’s tools. Our 200-year-old farmhouse became my canvas, and I, a self-taught woodworker, maker, and YouTuber. As I honed my skills, my reputation grew among friends and coworkers. I began sharing my projects online, which opened doors to numerous opportunities and partnerships. Today, I stand as a social media presence and content creator, with a community of over 500K followers.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been relatively smooth so far?
Some of the biggest challenges have been changing stereotypes within the DIY niche. When I started posting on social media over seven years ago, no women were using the market of tools and advertising in general. I took it as a personal challenge to change this imbalance and believe I had a significant impact. I aimed to show that women could encompass many sides and not lose their femininity because they knew how to build or fix things. Many of my female followers say they tried a new task because they saw me doing it, and many men say the same thing! I hope to be helpful to all of my followers.
Thanks for sharing that. So, tell us more about your work next.
I left my job as a paralegal to focus on being a full-time flag maker (Instagram: @blessedarethepeacemakers5.9) and content creator (YouTube: Jenny from the Shop). I’m known for tool reviews, how-to projects, and crafts, and I especially love up-cycling! Grabbing something from a thrift store or, better yet, CURB, I enjoy the challenge of taking something no one wanted and making it into something beautiful or valuable. Professionally, I’m very proud to have won the DeWalt “Show Us Your Tough” contest in 2017, which was a springboard for my life’s purpose. I’m also pleased to be one of YouTube’s few lady tool reviewers. I’m most proud of raising two exceptional kids as a single mother. What sets me apart is my attention to detail in producing videos. I give as many shots and details as possible in my YouTube videos without drumming on too long. I like turning my short-form videos into mini music videos by being fussy-precise about music and timing. I have dressed in costumes in many of the videos if it fits the “theme” of my project. For example https://www.tiktok.com/@jennifer.cline/video/6747024885748354310?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7299443500659050027
How do you think about luck?
The harder you work, the luckier you become! I was fortunate when I won the contest through DeWalt (a trip to the PBR Finals in Vegas). Still, through hard work, I was invited back the following year because their Chief Marketing Officer liked how I promoted the brand positively on social media. I was also invited to a NASCAR race and sat in the pit with Team DeWalt. I have been blessed to attend many events and enter into exciting partnerships because of that first big break. I also believe part of my life’s purpose is to bless others, and I have given many of my projects away to friends, family, or worthy causes, and I have helped repair things for church members or other widows.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jennyfromthe_shop
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennyfromtheshop1
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChC6QjpxVs3IDmDuR9XMb3w
