MEET JEN FORSMAN | FOUNDER OF STAGEFULLY, CREATOR OF THE STAGEFULNESS PHILOSOPHY

HI, I'M JEN! I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE, as I created Stagefully & the stagefulness philosophy just for you. I care deeply for people and the world we share. And, I have a feeling you do too.

EMBRACING "FAILURES AS LEARNINGS" LED ME HERE

My career began ambitiously in asset management, where I represented some of the largest banks and wealthiest families in the U.S. for 15 years. I was fortunate to collaborate with incredibly talented professionals, masters in the art of managing substantial financial portfolios.

Yet, I observed a disconnect; while these individuals excelled professionally, their personal lives often told a different story. I, too, found myself in this narrative, expertly managing assets yet struggling with personal & relational fulfillment, all while burning the candle from both ends. I realized it wasn’t just us—or me—everyday people everywhere were overwhelmed & struggling to manage their lives.

Then, unexpected life events, like navigating the challenges of divorce as a single mom, reinforced what I was already sensing. Initially, they seemed like detours and setbacks. However, they were, in fact, invaluable lessons that reshaped my perspective time and again.

NAVIGATING LIFE'S DETOURS TO BUILD STAGEFULLY

Throughout this time, I kept looking for a guide who'd walked the same path but struggled to find one. In my quest for guidance, I discovered a glaring void. And, I thought to myself, there's got to be a better way to live life—to avoid the school of hard knocks, by overcoming.

This experience inspired me to create Stagefully & the stagefulness philosophy, to help people understand complex concepts by simplifying them—like putting together puzzle pieces to form a clear picture, and scaling this approach with the power of EdTech.

Because of the affordable technologies that Stagefully is building now, those facing personal challenges or lacking essential "how-to" knowledge can achieve focus and clarity, overcome feelings of isolation, and empower themselves to navigate life's complexities with resilience—by managing more elegantly to distill.

DISCOVERING WHAT I WAS BORN TO DO, INTUITIVELY

In creating the stagefulness philosophy and founding Stagefully, I intuitively discovered my true calling—it's what I was born to do but never expected, after experiencing loss after loss. As an unexpectant philosopher, entrepreneur, guide/coach, and author, I help a diverse range of real people and executives navigate complex life transitions and achieve greater fulfillment by offering philosophical insights into stagefulness to achieve dramatic transforms.

I also leverage my professional background and restaging experiences to help them reverse engineer life goals, much like the strategies used in finance. My goal is to empower people to lead balanced, fulfilling lives of meaning, fully equipped to face future challenges with clarity and confidence—to overcome by living stagefully.

GOLDEN SCHOOL DAYS.

Greater Atlanta Christian School: Where it all began! I fell in love with the arts here, overcoming stage fright to play Maria in 'West Side Story' and graduating at the top of my class, where I was voted 'Most Likely to Win an Oscar. Then, life happened.

University of Georgia: I embarked on finance studies here, setting the stage for a deep understanding of economic frameworks and beginning a pivotal chapter in my life.

Georgia State University: Here, I followed my college sweetheart to Atlanta, which led to a decade of marriage, two wonderful children, and a Bachelor’s in Finance.

BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.

Pepperdine University: I followed my heart here too, only it was broken at the time, hoping to unravel the threads that had led to my divorce by studying Marriage & Family Therapy. Yet, as my curiosity deepened, I realized I was searching for something more, prompting a broader transition to a Master’s in Psychology.

IRONMAN U: Amidst personal upheaval after my divorce, I found solace and strength in the discipline of triathlon. Completing rigorous training, I emerged as an IRONMAN Certified Coach.

UC Davis: Here, I achieved my coaching certification as a Professional Coach for Life & Work, enabling me to integrate personal insights with professional expertise to empower others.

International Coach Federation (ICF) Membership: My commitment to professional development is enhanced by my ICF membership, ensuring I stay connected with the latest advancements and highest standards in coaching.

MY FAMILY.

I'm blessed to call Atlanta & the Sautee Nacoochee Valley home, where I live with my beloved family. My husband, Daniel Lakier, a brilliant technologist from South Africa, and I treasure every moment together, soaking up the joy and energy our children bring to our home. Having both navigated the ups and downs of divorce, we've restaged our lives to cherish each day. Sometimes, it feels like a twist of fate weaved us together, and I genuinely feel like the luckiest woman in the world to live each day alongside my best friend and children.

Our lively household includes a delightful array of pets: two playful cats named Jake and Shyla, a sociable bird, and an enchanting turtle. If you're an animal lover, you'll enjoy the snapshots of our furry and feathered companions on Stagefully's Instagram.

AT A GLANCE.

CAT MOM

To Jake + Shyla

TALKS ABOUT

Stagefulness + ADHD Hyperfocus + Post Traumatic Growth (PTG)

PASSIONS

Music, Art, & Theater + Triathlon + Psychology & Philosophy

MOMMY

To Wyatt + Daphne

FAVORITE SHOWS

Stranger Things, The Haunting of Hill House, & Jurassic Park

ALL ABOUT

Thinking, Imagination, & Consciousness + Relationships

STEP MOM

To Gabby + Aria

FAITH

Christian (My family has a long line of ministers stretching back)

TOP VALUES

Love, Creativity, Adaptability, Generativity, & Wisdom

FAVORITE ANCIENT QUOTE

"Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself in your way of thinking."

— Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor & Stoic philosopher (born April 26, 0121)

FAVORITE EINSTEIN QUOTE

“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”

— Albert Einstein, theoretical physicist & Nobel Prize recipient (born March 14, 1879)

FAVORITE MODERN QUOTE

"We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better."

— J.K. Rowling, British author & philanthropist, creator of Harry Potter (born July 31, 1965)