EUGENE, Ore. - “I just looked at my babies and I said I don’t want to miss out on things,” said Jennifer Richardson, the owner of Richardson Media. “I’ve had a great career so far, but I want to be there, and I don’t want to wake up at 2:30 in the morning and not be there for them. “
Morning news anchor turned business owner, this Western Oregon Woman decided to lay down the mic and step behind the camera to begin her own business. As she celebrates the one-year anniversary, she shares the challenges of an interesting start date.
“I’m crazy,” said Richardson. “I opened a business in the middle of a pandemic.”
Richardson started Richardson Media in September 2020 with one goal in mind, follow her passion.
“I love storytelling,” said Richardson. “I like making a difference and working to tell good stories.”
Richardson Media shares community stories through video storytelling, public relations, and social media, but a business focused on community involvement was difficult to start in 2020, considering the community was essentially on lockdown.
“I didn’t know what would come of it, if I could do this” said Richardson. “Things showed up, and people showed up for me and I relied on those relationships to get some business in the beginning because I think that’s what life is all about, relationships. “
She relied on those relationships and utilized the University of Oregon’s intern department.
“’I’m brand new I just need some help,’” said Richardson. “’I will mentor you and teach you’ and two people responded immediately because they were stuck on zoom and had no real-life experience.”
Now her passion of telling a story, giving back and being there for her kids, is a reality.
“I’m really seeing the work can go for good causes,” said Richardson. “I’m working with a school district right now and we’re doing some really impactful issue topics that I feel could be life-changing on issues and working with nonprofits. So, I leave and go to sleep sometimes, I work more than I’ve ever worked, but I go to bed and I’m like ‘wow we accomplish something.’ Same within the news though so that’s the way I felt and I’m feeling that way again, but I get to pick my kids up from school.”
In addition to owning Richardson Media, she also sits on the board of directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Emerald Valley and has won multiple awards for her work.