The title for this article might be a bit misleading; however, it did get you reading.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This<\/span> is<\/span><\/i> a coming-out story\u2014just maybe not the kind you\u2019re thinking.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s about Jen Fassino\u2019s decision to address her \u201ccoming out\u201d from the place where her two lives\u2014personal and professional\u2014collide.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>In her professional life, she of course has to <\/span>be<\/span><\/i> professional. She must act a certain way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Then, in my personal life, everyone considers me <\/span><\/i>that<\/span> friend… the one you introduce last to the new guy you\u2019re dating, because you know\u2026 I can’t keep my mouth shut. I can’t hide how I feel. If I’m happy, sad, mad… I can’t hide anything. That’s my downfall.”<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

This dichotomy was tough to balance; thus, Jen\u2019s coming-out party today…\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To celebrate BEING <\/b>Jen AF<\/i><\/b>.<\/b><\/p>\n

Jen was born in Wisconsin (which explains her obsession with cheese, cheese curds, and the Green Bay Packers). She lived in Los Angeles for five years before landing in Austin, Texas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She is a highly motivated, intelligent, articulate, and savvy businesswoman. Five years ago, after spending 14 years as a hairdresser, she decided to start a completely self-funded haircare company. She not only accomplished her goal, but she did it all herself\u2014from product to finances and marketing. Her biggest accomplishment with this brand? It was picked up by Urban Outfitters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI do hair, and I have worked in the celebrity hair world,\u201d<\/span><\/i> Jen said. <\/span>\u201cI go back and forth from Austin to LA working on campaigns for photography and film. I’ve done everything from New<\/span><\/i> York Fashion Week to styling celebrities for red-carpet events while simultaneously working behind the chair with everyday clients. I even used to work at a well-known salon in Beverly Hills, and from there, I worked with an agency. So that\u2019s how I got most of the jobs doing freelancing in film, television, and photography. I definitely feel I have to be more reserved in this industry because I’ve worked so\u00a0hard to get here. You have to show up professionally and at the top of your\u00a0game, with certain attire, verbiage, vocabulary, and presence.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Jen also owns a successful online hand sanitizer line (targeting businesses), a consulting business for hairdressers, a salon, a freelancing gig in Wisconsin, and now\u2026 the super-exclusive podcast you’re about to read about.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seems like a <\/span>lot<\/span><\/i> for one person, right?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Yes,\u201d<\/span><\/i> Jen confirmed. <\/span>\u201cI have been a very busy b*tch.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n

Despite her professional success, though, Jen wants something very different.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What she <\/span>really <\/span><\/i>wants is to live by the beat of her own drum\u2026 to be \u201cfully expressed\u201d while doing something she loves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Enter podcasting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“I started the podcast because I’m so sick of having to be a certain way in my personal life and in my business life. I just needed to be ME on this show. You can even see it in my cover art\u2014check out the Yeti mic,”<\/span><\/i> Jen laughed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJen AF <\/span>is essentially me rambling about my week\u2014the things that happen daily, weekly\u2014and just reporting back the stuff that pisses me off\u2026 my pet peeves and embarrassing stories. It\u2019s everything and nothing at the same time.\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Listeners should prepare themselves for <\/span>Jen AF<\/span><\/i>\u2014and for her open, honest discussions about millennial struggles and life\u2019s WTF moments. Jen shares her unsolicited advice, opinions, and unique perspectives in an open-book manner. And she does not embarrass easily.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The podcasting bug bit Jen while making guest appearances on someone else\u2019s podcast. <\/span><\/p>\n

“I had such a fun time talking sh*t with them. I was like, <\/span><\/i>\u2018This is what you do for a job?\u2019 <\/span>And they were like,<\/span><\/i> \u2018Yeah, we\u2019re pretty close to doing this full-time.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jen was inspired. And now, as the host of her own show, she feels good just being her, with no restraints.<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cThere’s a certain set of rules you have to follow in the professional world. It’s business etiquette, and I can play that game. I’m actually very good at it. But podcasting just felt really natural. It\u2019s fun to say whatever the f*ck is on my mind, because that’s how I am and exactly how I would say it in my personal life. I mean, that’s just how it is. Anyone who knows me will very much be like,<\/span><\/i> \u2018Oh yeah\u2026 that’s just Jen.\u2019 <\/span>I love being <\/span><\/i>Jen AF<\/span>,\u201d <\/span><\/i>she shared.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jen\u2019s friends and many fans love the show. Her mom, not so much.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy mom was like,<\/span><\/i> \u2018You said that on the Internet!\u2019 <\/span>And I\u2019m like,<\/span><\/i> \u2018I\u2019m 35, mom. I\u2019m pretty sure people know I’ve had sex before. I have no problem sharing funny stories about sexual encounters, embarrassing situations, or other\u00a0funny\u00a0things I’ve done! Everyone has similar stories they’ve experienced\u2014I just don’t filter mine. I want to be relatable.\u2019 <\/span>And she\u2019s like,<\/span><\/i> \u2018I can\u2019t f*cking believe you\u2019re doing this.\u2019 <\/span>And I said,<\/span><\/i> \u2018Well, at least I\u2019m having fun and being entertaining!\u2019 <\/span>Imagine your mind having all kinds of open tabs, like your computer. People think about weird things and situations daily, right? Whatever pops into my mind is pretty much what I discuss.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Even with all the tabs of her subconscious mind open, there are still a couple things Jen will not discuss on the show: politics and current events.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“I want to cover pop culture and really stupid sh*t. I mean, really mind-numbing stuff. If you want to listen to something serious like the news, that’s a different platform. That’s not comedy. I just want to be a f*cking idiot and give you something just to kind of zone out on and laugh your *ss off.”\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

What does the future hold for Jen and her podcast?<\/span><\/h3>\n

“I really LOVE podcasting. I mean, I really f*cking enjoy it. I would love to quit all my other endeavors and focus full-time on the show. I would love to quit doing hair and everything involving it, and just be my true, authentic self.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

No matter how things unfold for Jen, I have no doubt she will be a great success, even more than she already is. The show is so easy to listen to, and the best part is that Jen does not even try to be funny\u2014she just <\/span>is<\/span><\/i>. I am humbled that she chose this platform to officially come out as her true authentic self! You REALLY should listen to <\/span>Jen AF<\/span><\/i>. You can thank me later.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

May 2021 Issue<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The title for this article might be a bit misleading; however, it did get you reading.\u00a0 This is a coming-out story\u2014just maybe not the kind you\u2019re thinking.\u00a0 It\u2019s about Jen Fassino\u2019s decision to address her \u201ccoming out\u201d from the place where her two lives\u2014personal and professional\u2014collide. \u00a0In her professional life, she of course has to be professional. She must act a certain way.\u00a0 “Then, in my personal life, everyone considers me that friend… the one you introduce last to the new guy you\u2019re dating, because you know\u2026 I can’t keep my mouth shut. I can’t hide how I feel. If<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":10227,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[987,991,988,989,990,992,993],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n