Ep. 108: E.P.I.C. Life Dreams and Unicorn Teams with Jen Kem

Hello and Welcome to Season Ten of the Mother’s Quest Podcast.

It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly a decade since I first opened the metaphorical door to Mother’s Quest—sparked by the day two birds got trapped in my house and helped me realize it was time to stop staying stuck; it was time to say “yes” to Mother’s Quest. 

As I reflect on all I’ve built and the new E.P.I.C. dreams I want to bring to life, I’ve been thinking about the who behind our what—the people who support us, complement our strengths, and help us realize our biggest visions.

That’s why it felt so aligned to start this season in conversation with Jen Kem—a values-driven mother and entrepreneur who models strategic leadership and collaboration, masterfully gathering the right people—who she calls unicorns—to help her reach her ambitious goals, all while being deeply present for her family.

Named a top brand strategist by Forbes, Jen specializes in launching innovative ideas with high-performing teams. Her Unicorn Innovation Model™ has supported brands like the Oprah Winfrey Network, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Oracle, as well as New York Times bestselling authors and visionary entrepreneurs.

In her newly released book, Unicorn Team: The Nine Leadership Types You Need to Launch Your Big Ideas with Speed and Success, Jen shares an innovation playbook for building collaborative, values-aligned teams. It’s a book meant not just to be read, but used—again and again—as a practical guide to help you stop building alone and start bringing your dream to life with the right support.

In this episode, Jen shares what it means to move through life and leadership in creationship—to surround ourselves with people who not only help you build, but help you become. Through stories of growing up in Hawaii alongside her Filipina matriarchs, to the wisdom she’s integrating in what she calls her “5.0 upgrade,” Jen invites us into a conversation about identity, intention, and interdependence. She shares the power of returning to the most essential parts of ourselves, of navigating what she calls ever-present “pressure, friction, and noise,” and of focusing our creative energy on the right hard things.

Through it all, she reminds us that our authentic presence is a powerful form of leadership—and that our boldest, most E.P.I.C. dreams are meant to be realized together. 

 

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Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• Jen’s upbringing in a multi-generational Filipino family in Hawaii and how it shaped her values, identity, and entrepreneurial path

• How she’s reconnecting with the bold, curious spirit she embodied at age 9—and why her “5.0 upgrade” is about honoring that essence

• The idea of exfoliation—removing layers that no longer serve us to return to our true selves

• Jen’s definition of creationship—a fusion of creativity and meaningful, values-driven relationships

• Insights into her Unicorn Innovation Model™—and how it helps bring bold ideas to life with the right people at the right time

• Why the who matters more than the how or what—and how to build a Unicorn Team that aligns with your dream

• A framework for navigating “pressure, friction, and noise” and learning to focus on the right hard things

• How presence—not perfection—guides Jen’s approach to motherhood and leadership

 

About Jen Kem

Named as a top brand strategist by Forbes, Jen Kem specializes in launching innovative ideas with high-performing teams. Kem's Unicorn Innovation Model has been used by iconic brands like the Oprah Winfrey Network, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Oracle, as well as numerous New York Times bestselling authors, keynote speakers, and business and thought leaders.

In her book Unicorn Team: The Nine Leadership Types You Need to Launch Your Big Ideas with Speed and Success, Kem shares the innovation playbook on how to build the most collaborative, harmonious, and motivated team to achieve extraordinary results. Originally from Hawaii, Kem lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and kids.

 

Connect with Jen Kem

• Website: https://www.JenniferKem.com

• YouTube: www.JenniferKem.com/YouTube

• Instagram: @jennifer.kem // https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.kem/

• Facebook: @JenniferKemComm // https://www.facebook.com/JenniferKemComm/

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jenniferkem

 

This Episode’s Challenge:

Jen Kem invites us to rethink how we bring our ideas to life by focusing on the who before the how. She challenges us to take the 3-2-1 Unicorn Sprint—choosing a meaningful idea and committing 100 days to bringing it to life. Instead of getting stuck in over-planning or perfectionism, she encourages us to take action, test our ideas, and reflect on whether we have the right people in place to support our vision. The key to success isn’t just the idea itself—it’s the team that helps make it real.

Jen Kem’s Book:

• Unicorn Team: The Nine Leadership Types You Need to Launch Your Big Ideas with Speed and Success 

Related Episodes and Resources To Explore Next: 

• Ep 95: An Anti-Hustle Guide To Living Your E.P.I.C. Life with She Build’s Jadah Sellner

• Open Our Own Doors: My Book Creation Journey

• Mary Grace's Book Club

 

This Episode is Dedicated by Alexandra Franzen

Alexandra Franzen is an award-winning editor, entrepreneur, and the creator of more than 10 bestselling books and card decks. She collaborates with top publishers like Penguin/Random House and Chronicle, and has been featured in The Atlantic, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times Small Business Blog, Fast Company, and Forbes. In addition, she works with a small number of clients as a writing partner, helping her clients get publishing deals and create powerful books that change readers' lives. 

Client projects include Unicorn Team by Jen Kem (USA Today Bestseller), We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers (Wall Street Journal Bestseller), Your Next Level Life by Karen Arrington (NAACP Image Award, Outstanding Instructional Literary Work), and many more. 

She's also the co-founder of One Idea Books and Gifts, a bookstore that celebrates books written by women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ voices. 

Alex deleted all of her social media accounts 10 years ago and now runs a popular newsletter (named one of the "14 Newsletters You Need in Your Inbox" by Brit+Co) where she shares writing tips and inspiring true stories. https://www.alexandrafranzen.com

Mother’s Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

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