Welcome Jocelyn Fennewald – Girly Geek of the Week!
This weeks Girly Geek is a Salesforce Consulting Business owner, a Girly Geeks Chapter Co-Leader, Animal Shelter volunteer and aspiring drummer! Super smart, driven and not to mention, a total Salesforce enthusiast! A woman after my own heart! 🙂
Me: How & when did you start working with Salesforce?
Jocelyn: I started working in Salesforce as an end user in 2011. I was brought into my previous employer as a Financial Analyst/Operations Coordinator. My knowledge of Salesforce grew when I was put in charge of implementing FinancialForce PSA, which is a native Force.com application. I ran the core project team and worked with the Salesforce Business Analyst on the implementation. As soon as the project started, I was hooked. I saw what the platform could do and how it could increase efficiencies within the company. Once the implementation was complete, I continued to work with the internal Salesforce team to bring on Intacct Max Accounting and other various applications. I was deemed a “Super User” but continued to learn to be a system admin on the side with the help of some co-workers. If it was not for that opportunity, I am 100% convinced that I would not be where I am today in my career. Congrats on seizing an incredible opportunity and running with it!
Me: What is your current role working with Salesforce?
Jocelyn: My role with Salesforce now is a multi hat role, which includes system admin, consultant and business owner. In February 2014, I started a company with my business partner Machell Enke. Our company, OpMentors, is a registered SI partner of Salesforce. Working through the implementations at my previous employer allowed me to see where my true passion sits. I love taking clients from either net new to Salesforce or working through assisting existing clients with optimizing their Salesforce org. Just viewed your site and I LOVE your business model and that you have your own business! #MyNextMove “Get Started” – “Own It” – “Get Schooled” – “Stay in Top Form”
Me: What is your favorite thing to do in Salesforce and why?
Jocelyn: My favorite thing in Salesforce is reporting and dashboards. I am an analytics nerd at heart. Once set ups are done, data loaded and things are moving, I feel as though reporting shows the power of the platform. I get most excited once the dashboards are built and everyone sees their data presented in a comprehensive package. When a client says, “Wow, I never knew we could see data this way”, it just sends me over the moon with excitement. Lol same!
Me: Are you currently certified? And if so what certifications do you hold?
Jocelyn: Just this past year, I became certified. I passed my Admin 201 at Dreamforce last year and Sales Cloud Consultant a few months ago. Passing these two certification tests provided a great deal of satisfaction. It was stressful studying for the exams and taking them, but once I saw the “pass” pop up on the screen I wanted to jump up and down. I encourage anyone who is not yet certified to go out and get certified. It is a stamp of approval that says, “Yes, you are that awesome”! There are so many amazing resources out there to help anyone study for certification test. My advice is to use the community and reach out to others that are certified to see what they used. Congrats on your certs!
Me: What are some of your aspirations and/or goals when it comes to Salesforce?
Jocelyn: Sometimes I feel as though my goals change on a monthly basis. Eventually I would like to take my advanced admin certification. Also, I would like to be able to learn enough about Apex that I can understand what is going on and write basic code, but not necessarily write extensive code. ❤
Me: Do you have any advice for women working with Salesforce?
Jocelyn: Reach out and join a community! Girly Geeks is the #1 community in my opinion. Being a women working with Salesforce or any tech industry can have an isolated feeling. After finding Girly Geeks through the Dreamforce 2013 event, I felt as though I had a place. The Salesforce communities in general are a place where judgment of others really has no part. Asking any question or making a comment in the community is followed up with encouragement and positivity. I have never experienced this in any other job or aspect of my life so far. It really sounds corny, but it is true. Couldn’t agree more, the support and friendships you gain are priceless!
Me: What kinds of things are you involved in, and/or do you like to do outside of the Salesforce world?
Jocelyn: There is a world outside of Salesforce?! Just joking! I like to hang out with my husband (Dave) and dog (Allie). We take many walks and love going to the forest preserves near our house. I really enjoy working out. It makes me feel balanced and helps me focus better throughout the day. Last year I started drumming, and have to say it is SUPER fun! My brother-in-law (SFDC Admin in training) has been helping me learn different songs and beats. I have mastered “In Bloom” by Nirvana. That’s about it, but I am working on other songs. I also volunteer at the DuPage County Animal Care & Control. My insane love of animals has lead me to start volunteering, and just like the Salesforce community, there is a community of passionate and caring people that I am lucky enough to volunteer with. So basically…if it’s fun I will try it. Drumming and Animals – Excellent! 🙂
Me: Are you part of a Girly Geeks Chapter?
Jocelyn: Oh yeah!!!! I am the co-leader of the Chicago Girly Geeks, and am so honored to lead such an amazing group of women. I volunteered to lead the Chicago chapter when local chapters were first getting started. Through being a chapter leader and being apart of the Girly Geeks community, I have met some of the most amazing women ever! The enthusiasm and encouragement we have in the Chicago group, and the global Girly Geeks community, is sometimes overwhelming. Most recently, myself with my co-leader Machell Enke, have joined forces with Kelly Leslie (Wisconsin Girly Geeks leader) and Erin Gilbert (St. Louis Girly Geeks leader) to create a Midwest Girly Geeks group. We are hosting quarterly webinars that we have named Thirsty Thursdays. It has been so much fun collaborating with these ladies, and I have to say we have some amazing webinars currently and in the works. You go Girly Geeks! Fantastic idea! 😀
It was a pleasure getting to know you Jocelyn and thank you very much for sharing! You are definitely an inspiration!
For those of you that want to follow Jocelyn, here are her links:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/jocelyn-fennewald/13/940/a2b
Google+: +Jocelyn
Twitter handle: @jocelynfennewal
Sfdc Community link: https://success.salesforce.com/_ui/core/userprofile/UserProfilePage?u=00530000009cL8q&tab=sfdc.ProfilePlatformFeed
Blog: https://forcemotivator.wordpress.com/
SaaSyForce.com 