Hidden Gems: Meet Lady Jenny Bolivar of LJB Strategies

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lady Jenny Bolivar

Hi Lady Jenny, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and came to the U.S. at the age of 5, growing up in Glendale, California, with my single mom, two sisters, and my grandmother, who is currently 105 years old. With my mom working long hours to provide for us, family became our foundation. Surrounded by a large extended family I learned early on the value of hard work, resilience, and community—a lesson passed down by the strong women who raised me.

I graduated high school as a young mother and wife, stepping into adulthood with responsibilities that shaped my character and resolve. As a military wife, I learned to navigate the challenges of frequent moves, which taught me resilience and adaptability. While my first marriage wasn’t meant to last, it gave me the greatest gifts of my life—my two incredible daughters. They are my guiding light and the driving force behind everything I do. With them in my heart, I returned to California determined to build a life of stability, purpose, and opportunity for us all.

In 2001, determined to create a better future for my girls, I began my professional journey in sales. This career not only provided the flexibility I needed to balance work, motherhood, and school but also fueled my ambition. Working full-time while attending night classes was no easy feat, but with the unwavering support of my mother and the values instilled in me from my upbringing, I thrived.

Over the next two decades, I built a successful career in corporate America, working with Fortune 100 companies, all while raising my two daughters into strong, remarkable women. Their presence has been my inspiration every step of the way, driving me to reach higher and build a life full of purpose and opportunity.

In 2023, my corporate role was eliminated during a restructuring, and while it was a setback, it also became an opportunity to realign my life with my true purpose. That’s when I founded LJB Strategies, a consulting firm dedicated to empowering small businesses—especially those that are minority-owned, woman-owned, or Latin-owned.

What We Do at LJB Strategies
At LJB Strategies, we focus on helping businesses build strong foundations through strategic planning, operational efficiency, and certifications that open doors to growth opportunities. My mission is to level the playing field for small businesses, providing them with the tools, resources, and guidance to scale their operations and achieve long-term success.

Right now, I’m working on several exciting projects, including:

Helping a woman-owned business secure government contracts by guiding them through the certification process.
Strategic planning for a nonprofit that supports women recovering from nonterminal cancer, helping them transition back into the workforce.
Facilitating workshops to educate entrepreneurs on business formation, marketing strategies, and funding opportunities available in Los Angeles.

A Life of Purpose and Empowerment
My mission is to inspire belief and confidence by turning vision into action and achieving tangible results. I’m driven to build a business that empowers communities and creates meaningful impact, no matter where life takes me. While my daughters have begun their own journeys—starting families and demonstrating the strength and resilience that run through our veins—I carry their love and inspiration with me every step of the way.

Los Angeles, with its dynamic entrepreneurial spirit, is the perfect foundation for this journey. I’m honored to contribute to the success of its diverse business community, blending my professional expertise with a deep commitment to fostering growth and connection.

Looking back, my journey has been shaped by hard work, resilience, and an unwavering belief that we rise by lifting others. These values have guided me through challenges and triumphs alike, shaping the person I am today. Now, I’m proud to channel those lessons into empowering businesses, creating opportunities, and driving meaningful impact. Whether I’m working in the vibrant heart of Los Angeles or traveling halfway across the world, I carry these values with me—always inspired by my family’s strength and the legacy we continue to build together.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been anything but smooth, but I’ve come to see challenges as opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Growing up as an immigrant in Glendale, I watched my mom work tirelessly to provide for our family, teaching me resilience and the importance of hard work from a young age.

In my early 20s, I faced a deep loss with the passing of two cousins to cancer. Their deaths taught me a valuable lesson about the preciousness of time—it’s something we can never get back. That realization has shaped how I approach life, guiding me to focus on what truly matters and be intentional with how I spend my time.

As a young mother, I navigated the challenges of parenthood, a new marriage, and being far from family due to my ex-husband’s military career. Those isolating years taught me independence and the importance of owning my decisions. Later, as a single mom, I worked full-time while attending night classes, relying on my determination and the support of my mother.

The transition from corporate work to entrepreneurship also came with its own set of challenges. Starting my own business required me to trust in myself and the network I had built over the years.

Through loss, doubt, and pressure, I’ve learned to prioritize what truly matters—time, family, and meaningful work. These lessons have strengthened my resilience and given me the tools to help others navigate their own challenges. I believe the hardest roads lead to the most rewarding destinations, and I’m grateful for the wisdom gained along the way.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At LJB Strategies, our mission is to empower small businesses, particularly those that are minority-owned, woman-owned, and Latin-owned, by leveling the playing field. We specialize in strategic business consulting, helping entrepreneurs and small business owners navigate the challenges of growth, operational efficiency, and certifications that open doors to larger opportunities, such as government contracts or corporate partnerships.

What sets us apart is our holistic, hands-on approach. I don’t believe in cookie-cutter solutions—every business is unique, and I take the time to understand their vision, challenges, and goals. Part of this process includes recognizing the importance of mental health in achieving sustainable success. Building or growing a business can be overwhelming, and I make it a priority to create strategies that not only drive growth but also promote balance, resilience, and clarity.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud of our commitment to empowering equity through strategic insight. It’s more than just a tagline—it’s the driving force behind everything we do. My goal is to help businesses thrive while fostering a mindset that prioritizes self-awareness and emotional well-being in the entrepreneurial journey.

For readers, I want you to know that LJB Strategies is here to support you at any stage of your business journey. Whether you’re starting out and need help with business formation and certifications, or you’re a seasoned entrepreneur looking to scale and streamline your operations, I can help. My services include:

Strategic planning and business development
Certifications for minority, woman, and veteran-owned businesses
Operational and process improvements
Workshops and educational sessions on funding, marketing, growth strategies, and mental health awareness
At the heart of LJB Strategies is the belief that businesses thrive when given the tools, resources, and confidence to succeed. I’m passionate about showing clients that they don’t have to sacrifice their well-being to achieve their dreams.

This work is deeply personal for me—it’s about creating a ripple effect of success, empowerment, and balance. I want business owners to know they have a partner who genuinely believes in their vision, understands the challenges they face, and is here to guide them every step of the way.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
One thing that might surprise people is that I deal with self-doubt on a daily basis. From the outside, it might look like I have everything together—I’ve built a successful career, raised an amazing family, and now run a business I’m deeply passionate about. But the truth is, there are moments when I question whether I’m good enough, whether I’m doing enough, or whether I’ll succeed at the next big challenge.

What I’ve learned over the years is that self-doubt doesn’t have to stop you; it can be a tool for growth. I’ve made a conscious decision to embrace those moments of uncertainty and use them as motivation. Every time doubt creeps in, I remind myself of the hurdles I’ve already overcome—graduating high school as a young mom, building a career while raising two daughters as a single parent, and stepping into entrepreneurship after a corporate layoff.

I also focus on taking small, consistent steps forward. Instead of letting doubt paralyze me, I channel it into preparation and self-reflection. I check in with myself regularly to ensure I’m aligned with my goals, and I lean into the support of my family and community when I need encouragement.

What surprises me—and maybe others—is that overcoming self-doubt isn’t about achieving a permanent state of confidence. It’s about choosing to move forward despite the fear, trusting that you’ll learn and grow along the way. For me, it’s a daily practice, and each small victory reminds me of my resilience and purpose.

If anything, my struggles with self-doubt have made me a better consultant and advocate for others. I understand what it feels like to second-guess yourself, and I’m passionate about helping my clients recognize their own potential and take bold steps toward their dreams. After all, the only way to truly silence doubt is to prove it wrong—one day at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ljbstrategies.com
• Instagram: @ljbstrategies
• Facebook: @LJBGRP