In this episode of The Outspoken Podcast, host Shana Cosgrove talks to Jess Gartner, CEO and founder of Allovue. Jess talks about why she pivoted from teaching in Baltimore to financing education. Listen to how she started and funded Allovue. She also explains why it’s important for your success to always be your true self.

QUOTES

• “I am not a halfway mitigate your risk type person. I am just an all or nothing person.” -Jess Gartner [38:17]
• “You cannot be successful at anything if you are trying to be someone else’s version of success. You have to figure out who you are and go to the fullest version of yourself.” -Jess Gartner [57:25]
• “I think that polarizing can be a good thing, because when you’re polarizing, you’re going to find the people that are your people.” -Jess Gartner [1:00:32]

TIMESTAMPS

• [00:04] Intro
• [01:17] Meet Jess Gartner
• [05:04] What is Allovue?
• [09:40] Her financial background
• [14:51] What inspired her to do public service
• [16:48] Becoming a Baltimore public school teacher
• [20:13] Internships and jobs
• [22:41] The decision not to pursue law school
• [23:39] Pursuing Teach for America
• [26:47] Getting a master’s degree and her first jobs
• [29:24] Leaving the classroom
• [34:04] Her clear vision
• [39:27] A couple questions
• [41:11] Finding someone to work on her product
• [45:16] Getting a data set
• [49:48] The first fundraising series
• [55:00] Something she’s not good at
• [56:59] Her advice for young women
• [1:02:00] A book that made an impact on Jess
• [1:06:21] Her second dream job
• [1:08:11] Contacting Jess
• [1:09:08] What she loves best about what she does
• [1:13:00] What’s next for Jess
• [1:14:32] Outro

RESOURCES

• Stand and Deliver
• Dangerous Minds
• AccelerateBaltimore
• Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts by Annie Duke

RELEVANT LINKS

• Jess Gartner’s website
• Jess Gartner on Twitter
• Jess Gartner on LinkedIn
• Allovue’s website
• Allovue on Facebook
• Allovue on Twitter
• Allovue on LinkedIn