Jillian Ferry shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Jillian, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I am being called to trust myself completely. For years, I played it safe. I worked for big companies, built other people’s visions, and stayed in my comfort zone because it was secure. Now I am putting everything I have into building something of my own. It is scary because there is no guarantee. No one is standing behind me with a safety net. Every decision, every risk, every late night is on me. But there is also something incredibly freeing about knowing that the outcome will be a direct reflection of my heart, my effort, and my vision. I am learning that courage is not the absence of fear. It is moving forward while carrying it with you.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Jillian Ferry, the co-founder of Durable Minds Everboarding. We create tools that help young adults step into the workforce with confidence, clarity, and a strong sense of self. Our flagship programs, DurableME and DurableSuccess, are built on the belief that the unwritten rules of work should finally be written down and taught. What makes our work special is that it is not just about career readiness. It is about self-leadership, self-awareness, and giving people the skills and confidence to show up fully as themselves in every space they enter.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My relationship with my daughter has completely changed how I see myself. Before becoming a mom, I was my harshest critic. I would focus on what I thought I lacked, nitpick my appearance, and hold myself to impossible standards. Once she was here, I realized she would learn how to treat herself by watching me. I became intentional about how I speak to myself and about myself. I stopped talking about looking bad. I stopped letting negative self-talk take up space in my mind. I want her to grow up knowing that her worth is never tied to how she looks or how perfectly she performs. Seeing myself through her eyes made me softer with myself, more patient, and more aware of how powerful our words are, especially the ones we say to ourselves.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
When I realized that sharing the hard parts could help someone else feel less alone. For a long time, I thought I had to look like I had it all together, especially as a leader and now as a founder. But the truth is, entrepreneurship is messy. It is full of rejection, doubt, and moments that make you question everything. Once I started being honest about that, I felt lighter. I stopped seeing my challenges as something to hide and started using them as a way to connect with people. I also learned that being imperfect is part of my power. Everything I am and everything I am not is uniquely me, and that is where my strength lives.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Kindness and empathy. Those two values are at the core of who I am and how I lead. To me, kindness is not surface-level politeness. It is an intentional choice to see people, to acknowledge their humanity, and to treat them with respect even when it is hard. Empathy is about listening without judgment, trying to understand someone’s perspective before reacting, and creating space for them to be fully themselves.
In my work, I protect these values fiercely. I want to build environments where people feel safe enough to share their ideas, admit when they are struggling, and celebrate their wins without comparison. Kindness and empathy do not just make interactions more pleasant. They build trust, strengthen relationships, and allow real growth to happen. If those values are not present, everything else crumbles.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
When I am with my family. My daughter keeps me present and reminds me to find joy in the smallest moments. My husband is my rock, the one person I can completely let my guard down with other than my mom and sister. He knows when I need to talk, when I need to laugh, and when I just need silence. Whether we are laughing around the dinner table, dancing in the kitchen, swimming with our daughter on a summer afternoon, or curled up on the couch after a long day, those moments strip away the noise of the world. They remind me that success is not just about what I build. It is also about who I get to share it with.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.DMEverboarding.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmeverboarding/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dmeverboarding
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmeverboarding/
