In her book Imperfect Courage, Jessica Honegger, founder of the popular fair trade jewelry brand Noonday Collection, shares her story of starting the rapidly growing business that impacts over 4,500 artisans in vulnerable communities across the globe. She invites readers on a journey of transformation, challenging them to trade their comfort zones for a life of impact and adventure.
In 2015, Inc. magazine recognized Noonday Collection as one of the fastest-growing companies in America. But years earlier, as its founder Jessica Honegger stood at a pawn-shop counter in Austin, Texas, and handed over her grandmother's gold jewelry, her goal was much more personal: to fund the adoption of her Rwandan son, Jack, by selling artisan-made jewelry. This first step launched an unexpected side-hustle that would grow into Noonday Collection. Jessica embarked on this new journey and teamed up with her first artisan partner, Jalia, a Ugandan jewelry maker. She saw the meaningful impact Noonday brought to Jalia's community and knew it was the right move. Fear crept into Jessica's heart as she realized her success, or failure, meant the same for Jalia. But refusing to let fear hinder her goals, Jessica found the necessary (if imperfect) courage she needed along the way - the courage to leave comfort and embrace a life of risk and impact.
In Imperfect Courage, Jessica encourages her readers to discover their imperfect courage. She takes them by the hand and invites them to trade their comfort zones for a life of impact and meaning. First, she invites them to draw a circle of compassion around themselves and leads them through some soul-searching aimed at setting them free. Next, she challenges all of us to come together, dare to be vulnerable with one another, and commit to building a culture of collaboration. Finally, Jessica calls on everyone to broaden their circle of compassion to embrace the entire globe--and to bring their beautifully imperfect courage to a world that needs it.
Author quotes
Choose to say yes to big dreams, even when fear is knocking at the door.
Instead of waiting for fear to subside, make it your friend. Because when you’ve got a vision, you don’t have time to wait around for fears to vanish before you start moving.
That thing that makes you come alive that you’ve just been waiting for the courage to do? It’s time to give it a go.
While comfort may beckon us, choosing courage will always be the route to impact.
About the author
JESSICA HONEGGER is the founder of Noonday Collection, a fair-trade jewelry company that partners with artisans across the globe to create unique and hand-made pieces of jewelry. She and Noonday work to empower women from a wide variety of communities and cultures to create their own, thriving businesses by partnering with Noonday as an artisan or ambassador. Jessica lives in Austin with her husband and children.
Why LoA loves it….
For all those people who dream of living an impactful, passion driven life, and harnessing the power of social entrepreneurship to achieve those goals, then Jessica Honegger’s book Imperfect Courage is a great source of inspiration. She takes readers through her own very personal journey and shows them how to find the courage to leave their comfort zones and embrace a life of risk and impact. This is a heartfelt book written by someone who has a passion for Africa and for making a difference to the lives of others - a great read. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and ceo of Lionesses of Africa