Entrepreneurship is a journey filled with challenges, victories, and moments of self-discovery. For Jennifer Butler, Kristen Lettini, and Danielle Uhl, this journey has been all about turning passion into purpose, embracing growth, and building businesses that align with their values.
Each of these inspiring 17hats PowerPlayers has a unique story to share—from leaving behind corporate careers to taking bold leaps of faith, navigating fears, and celebrating wins big and small. Their experiences highlight the resilience and creativity required to thrive as solopreneurs, and how tools like 17hats have helped them bring their visions to life.
Join us as we dive into their stories, lessons, and reflections, showcasing how they’ve turned dreams into reality while inspiring others to do the same. Whether you’re just starting your entrepreneurial journey or looking for motivation to keep going, Jennifer, Kristen, and Danielle’s insights will leave you ready to take the next step.
Jennifer Butler: Rising from the Ashes with Aurora Photography
A Dream Turned Reality
Jennifer Butler’s journey with Aurora Photography began in college, fueled by her passion for photography and the unwavering support of her husband. While Jennifer didn’t initially see her passion as a viable business, her husband did. He encouraged her to pursue it full-time, and with his belief in her, she found the courage to take the leap. Aurora, named after the Goddess of New Beginnings, marked the start of Jennifer’s transformative entrepreneurial journey.
Overcoming Adversity
In 2022, Jennifer faced one of her biggest challenges: a devastating fire that destroyed not only her physical possessions but also threatened the future of her business. However, Jennifer found strength in the support of her family and clients, who reminded her of her resilience. This fire became a symbol of her tenacity and reminded her why she started Aurora Photography in the first place. From this hardship, Jennifer rose stronger, determined to rebuild and continue serving her clients with renewed purpose.
Personal Growth Through Business
Running Aurora Photography has reshaped Jennifer not only as a business owner but also as a person. The intimate nature of photography allowed her to connect deeply with her clients, which in turn fostered a greater empathy and appreciation for relationships. This work has taught her to persevere through challenges and reinforced her confidence in both her personal and professional life. It has also given her a sense of purpose beyond herself—creating lasting memories for others.
The Power of Support
When things get overwhelming, Jennifer leans on her strong support network, particularly her husband. His encouragement and perspective help her focus on one task at a time and regain clarity. Whether it’s stepping outside for a walk or reflecting on her “why,” Jennifer understands that every setback is an opportunity to grow and improve, both as an entrepreneur and as a person.
Celebrating the Wins
Jennifer celebrates both big and small wins. For the smaller victories, like a successful shoot or a new client, she takes a moment to pause and appreciate the achievement. For bigger milestones, she celebrates with her family and friends, often with a dinner or a getaway. Journaling also helps her reflect on her journey, keeping her motivated even on tough days.
How 17hats Makes a Difference
During one particularly hectic holiday season, Jennifer found herself overwhelmed with back-to-back sessions and client meetings. The 17hats calendar feature became a game-changer, helping her stay organized by color-coding and syncing appointments, ensuring she never missed a detail. The automated workflows have also been crucial, streamlining client communication and ensuring a consistent, professional experience.
Progress Over Perfection
Jennifer’s motto, “Progress, not perfection,” guides both her business and personal life. Embracing this philosophy has allowed her to grow as a photographer and business owner, learning from mistakes and focusing on continual improvement. This mindset frees her from the pressure of perfection, allowing her to create meaningful experiences for her clients and focus on the journey, not just the destination.
Danielle Uhl: Turning Passion into Purpose
From Side Hustle to Full-Time Entrepreneur
Danielle Uhl’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2013 when she turned her love for photography into a side hustle with Underexposed® Photography. With a background in business, Danielle soon realized her passion for helping others turn their creativity into a successful business. This led her to Coaching in 2017, where she earned multiple certifications to guide others through the business-building process.
Empowering Others Through Business Solutions
As Danielle’s Coaching business grew, she recognized a gap in the support system for small business owners. This inspired her to offer a mix of services, including done-for-you offerings (like photography and branding), done-with-you services (coaching and strategy), and do-it-yourself tools (courses and templates). Her goal is to help clients create their own version of success while navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship.
Overcoming Challenges and Staying Driven
Like most entrepreneurs, Danielle faced moments of doubt but was always fueled by her desire to help others and the flexibility entrepreneurship offered. One pivotal moment was after a photography session where she realized her one-hour shoot earned her more than four times what she made in an hour at her day job. This realization propelled her forward, inspiring her to help others achieve similar breakthroughs.
Work-Life Balance and Personal Growth
Entrepreneurship has shaped Danielle into a disciplined, accountable person. She’s learned the importance of boundaries to avoid burnout—both in her business and personal life. These lessons have not only strengthened her business but have also fostered personal growth.
17hats: A Game-Changer for Efficiency
Danielle credits 17hats with simplifying her business operations. By implementing workflows and templates, she’s able to maintain a consistent and professional experience for every client without the overwhelm. 17hats has become the backbone of her business, saving her time and mental energy.
Living the Dream
For Danielle, entrepreneurship has allowed her to design a life that supports both her business and her personal passions. Whether it’s enjoying cozy mornings with her dogs or traveling as a professional singer, she’s built a life that brings her joy. Looking ahead, Danielle plans to publish her first book, further expanding her brand and inspiring others to follow their passion.
Danielle’s journey is proof that with perseverance, creativity, and the right tools, success is within reach for anyone ready to take the leap.
Kristen Lettini: Building Fairytales, One System at a Time
A Leap of Faith
Kristen’s story is one of betting on herself. Leaving a six-figure corporate job, she pursued her entrepreneurial dream, starting with her podcast Build Your Own Fairytale. Helping a guest streamline their business processes inspired her to launch her own business as a Systems Strategist. “It was the push I needed to go all in,” she reflects.
Defining Success
Kristen’s proudest moments include hearing her daughters cheer her on and watching her business grow, even during challenging times. “I want them to know it’s okay to dream big,” she says.
17hats Magic
Kristen credits 17hats’ workflows for giving her peace of mind. “While on vacation, my business ran smoothly in the background—it doesn’t get better than that!” she says with a smile.
Lessons, Reflections, and Inspiration: Meet our November PowerPlayers
Jennifer, Danielle, and Kristen share a common thread: the belief that every challenge is an opportunity to grow. They’ve turned obstacles into stepping stones, embraced the power of systems, and found joy in the freedom of entrepreneurship.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:
- Jennifer: “Remember your ‘why’—it’ll guide you through the toughest days.”
- Danielle: “Trust the process and stay curious; you’re capable of more than you know.”
- Kristen: “Just start! The biggest regret is not taking the leap sooner.”
Kristen Lettini
kristenlettini.com
https://www.instagram.com/kristen.lettini
Check out Kristen’s Instagram with lots of awesome 17hats content!
I help creative solopreneurs streamline their business & reclaim their time by unlocking the magic of automation💫 and creating simple systems to turn their business into the fairytale they dreamed of.
Danielle Uhl, MSOL is a Certified Coach & Business Mentor on a mission to help more small businesses have long-term success!
Jennifer Butler is the founder and lead photographer of Aurora Photography, specializing in capturing life’s most meaningful moments, from maternity and newborns to family portraits and professional headshots. With a passion for empowering clients in front of the lens, Jennifer creates personalized experiences that help people feel confident, celebrated, and truly seen. Fueled by creativity and a commitment to quality, Jennifer’s approach blends artistic vision with a focus on client connection, ensuring every session is a memorable and empowering experience. When not behind the camera, Jennifer enjoys working alongside their supportive husband, who plays an integral role in both the studio and event days and being a Mom to a great 4 year old, Amelia.
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One reply on “November PowerPlayers Spotlight: Jennifer Butler, Danielle Uhl, and Kristen Lettini”
Excellent article and a much appreciated spotlight on your November power players. This article inspired me to make similar policies in my own accounting solutions UK business.