Welcome back to another episode of The Amberly Lago Show! Today I'm sitting down with the incredible Jill Donovan, entrepreneur, author, speaker, and founder of the nationally loved jewelry brand Rustic Cuff.
Jill's journey is such a powerful example of what can happen when you have the courage to follow your calling, even when the next step doesn't make logical sense. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Jill practiced law and taught as an adjunct law professor. But deep down, she knew she hadn't found the work she was truly created to do.
In this conversation, we talk about entrepreneurship, confidence, faith, purpose, failure, resilience, and finding work that brings you joy. Jill shares how, beginning at just 10 years old, she committed to trying a new hobby every year as she searched for the thing she could say she "gets to" do instead of "has to" do. That willingness to experiment, fail, learn, and keep moving forward became an important part of the woman and entrepreneur she is today.
We also dive into Jill's unforgettable experience with The Oprah Winfrey Show. After years of simply trying to get a ticket to sit in the audience, an email about her regifting habit unexpectedly led to her sitting on stage beside Oprah in front of millions of viewers. But the dream moment quickly became a very public and uncomfortable experience when etiquette experts criticized her on national television.
What I love about Jill's story is how she reminds us that our setbacks, embarrassing moments, and unexpected detours don't have to define us. Sometimes they are preparing us for something much bigger.
Jill also shares how faith and staying grounded have shaped her journey as Rustic Cuff has grown. Instead of making success only about grinding, recognition, or money, she focuses on using the gifts God gave her, protecting what matters, and staying connected to her purpose.
If you've ever questioned your career, wondered what you were created to do, felt afraid to try something new, or experienced a setback that shook your confidence, this conversation is a reminder to stay open, keep trying, trust your path, and believe that God wastes nothing.
Jill's journey from divorce attorney and law professor to entrepreneur and founder of Rustic Cuff
Finding your calling and moving from "I have to" to "I get to"
Why trying new things can help you discover your purpose
Building confidence through experimentation, failure, and starting again
Why Jill started a new hobby every year beginning at age 10
Trusting that God doesn't waste the experiences in our lives
Jill's unexpected journey from trying to get Oprah tickets to appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show
Navigating embarrassment and public setbacks without letting them destroy your confidence
Staying open when life takes an unexpected turn
Faith, entrepreneurship, resilience, and trusting God's plan
Staying grounded as success and visibility grow
Choosing purpose and impact over constantly chasing money and achievement
00:00 Preview: confidence, staying grounded, faith, and finding your calling
01:00 Introduction to Jill Donovan and the story behind Rustic Cuff
03:00 Jill and Amberly's connection through the Align event
06:00 Storytelling, humor, family, and connecting with an audience
09:00 From practicing law to realizing she was in the wrong career
12:00 Teaching law, feeling underqualified, and learning along the way
15:00 Public embarrassment, confidence, and having the freedom to fail
18:00 How Jill's search for her calling began at 10 years old
21:00 Starting a new hobby every year and searching for her "get to"
24:00 Why God wastes nothing and what experimentation taught Jill
27:00 Searching for mentors, purpose, and inspiration from Oprah Winfrey
30:00 Jill's unexpected journey onto The Oprah Winfrey Show and the public setback that followed
Instagram
@jillfdonovan
Website
jilldonovan.com
Shop Jill Donovan Collections
jilldonovan.com/collections
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