Meet Jennifer, The Heart Behind Carolina Mom
About the HOST
From Small Town Dreams to International Success (And Back Home Again)
Hey there, I'm Jennifer Dunleavy – founder and moderator of Carolina Mom, and probably a lot more like you than you might think.
I grew up in a small town in South Carolina, but life had bigger plans for me. I found myself building a successful career in the bustling technology center of Raleigh, North Carolina. At 27, my husband and I took a leap of faith and founded our own company. What started as a dream between two young entrepreneurs grew into something we never imagined – an international corporation that would change our lives forever.
But here's the thing about success – it doesn't always look the way you expect it to.
The Beautiful, Messy Truth About My Journey
Three things people are always surprised to learn about me:
- We welcomed our son Evan after 16 years of marriage. John and I struggled with infertility for many, many years. The journey was heartbreaking, hopeful, devastating, and ultimately miraculous. Our beautiful son Evan, now 8 years old, is living proof that dreams don't always happen on our timeline – but they can still come true.
- I have six dogs. Yes, you read that right – SIX. Here's what happens when you're going through postpartum depression in your 40s and can't have any more children: you start bringing dogs home. And you know what? Today, our home is full of love, a little bit crazy, and it's absolutely awesome!
- I left my life and career to come back home. After building something incredible, I heard a calling in my soul to return to my roots in South Carolina. Sometimes the biggest success isn't about growing bigger – it's about coming home to help others grow.
- Women entrepreneurs face a $1.7 trillion financing gap
- Only 1.9% of venture capital funding goes to women-founded startups (despite generating higher returns!)
- There are only 55 female CEOs among Fortune 500 companies
- Women-owned businesses represent 39% of U.S. businesses, generating $2.7 trillion in revenue
But here's the statistic that hits closest to home: One of the most difficult aspects of a woman's journey is the guilt she feels when balancing her family and her career.
I've been there. The 5:30 AM wake-ups, the juggling act, the constant feeling like you're not doing enough for anyone – including yourself. The dreams that whisper to you in quiet moments, then get drowned out by the beautiful chaos of daily life.
That's exactly why Carolina Mom exists.
Why I'm Really Here
The statistics don't lie, and they break my heart:
My Biggest Lesson
After 22 years of entrepreneurship, building multimillion-dollar businesses, navigating infertility, raising a family, and learning that it truly takes a village – here's what I know for sure:
We are in this together. We must help uplift one another and share what we've learned.
It's not about competition. It's not about having it all figured out. It's about extending a hand to the woman behind you and saying, "I've walked this path. Let me show you the way."
What Brings Me Joy
For me, there is no greater joy than sitting with my family in our backyard, watching my son Evan play among nature's beauty and peace. It's where I find God and connect to my own divinity. It's where the noise of the world fades away, and I remember what really matters.
Those moments remind me that success isn't just about the businesses we build or the goals we achieve – it's about the love we share, the community we create, and the legacy we leave for the next generation of dreamers.
this is my why
I'm here because I believe your dreams matter. I believe that every woman scrolling through Instagram at 10 PM, exhausted but still dreaming, deserves to know that her vision is valid and achievable.
I'm here because I've been poured into by incredible mentors and guides, and now it's my turn to pour into you.
I'm here because when we uplift women, we transform families and entire communities. And when we share our light, the whole world becomes a little brighter.
So welcome to Carolina Mom, beautiful soul. You belong here, your dreams are valid, and we're going to figure this out together – one conversation, one resource, one step at a time.
