PPB July 2019

Jeanne Wa l l s The Perks Of Feel-Good Work Jeanne Walls’s life revolves around helping others, both in her business and her civic involvement. by Danielle Renda S ome people are driven to excel in their professions for riches, others for fame. Then, there’s the kindred spirits, who are constantly reaching their hands outward, considering how they can be of service to others, and always showing up to offer their help. Jeanne Walls is one of these people. Walls owns and operates her own distributorship, JWalls Ink! in Richmond, Virginia, which she founded inMarch 2007. In her business, she offers professional expertise and guided suggestions for clients honing their brands and developing campaigns. But in addition to this, she is an active, 24-year member of the Richmond Rotary Club—where she served as the first female president in its 90-plus-year history, and received the highest honor, the Service Above Self award, given annually to 112 individuals worldwide for their contributions to the community, both inside and outside of Rotary—and she’s involved in several other organizations, all with a giveback focus. She actively supports many nonprofits; she started her own fundraiser, Bucks4Boobs, to raise money for Susan G. Komen; and she’s participated in PPAI’s Legislative Education and Action Day (L.E.A.D.), a two-day initiative where promotional products professionals visit Capitol Hill to represent and discuss issues facing the industry. When asked how she juggles her civic duties, professional and personal life, she says, “Ha! I’m still trying to figure this one out.” But she later adds, “If I’mnot doing 10 things at once, I’mbored. I love the adrenaline rush of making it all happen.” WhenWalls founded her business, she did so with a go- getter mindset. “I didn’t need much to get started,” she says. “I was inspired and in need of a job, so I createdmy own.” She was previously with Richmond Office Supply Company, where she provided stationery for clients that included law firms. When the company was sold, she worked for a few printers but was keen on starting her own business. It was while working for one of these printers that Walls had a conversation that led to an experience, which birthed her entrepreneurial plan. “I called on a potential client— and I say ‘potential’ because she toldme, in no uncertain terms, that I didn’t have a chance of getting her business,” she says. “It seemed like the company she worked with was perfect, and she Jeanne Walls Jeanne Walls and her husband Dave DeBarger live in Richmond, Virginia. 80 | JULY 2019 | CONNECT