13. Build a Thriving Community Without Big Launches or Social Media: Jackie Bernardi's Story
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What if success isn’t about scaling fast or doing all the things—but about waking up excited to do something that fills you up? In this soulful and deeply relatable conversation, Hailey Krajewski chats with Jackie Bernardi, the heart behind Painted Paper Studio and the Confident Creative Collective. Jackie shares how she walked away from corporate stress, rekindled her creative spark, and built a business that’s rich in connection, meaning, and joy. Whether you’re mid-pivot, midlife, or just creatively curious—this episode will leave you feeling inspired to follow what feels good and trust the process.
Jackie’s Journey: From Burnout to Brilliance
After years in corporate retail and aerospace recruiting, Jackie found herself completely disconnected from her creativity. A post-retirement moment with dusty art supplies became the spark that reignited her passion—and led to a thriving YouTube channel, a vibrant membership community, and a whole new way of living.
The Power of Process Over Perfection
Jackie reminds us that creativity isn’t about outcomes—it’s about how it makes you feel. Her honesty about imperfection, self-doubt, and joy in the messy middle gives all of us permission to create freely.
Intentional Choices & Gentle Boundaries
From responding personally to every YouTube comment to saying no to Instagram, Jackie shares how defining her own metrics of success helped her build a values-aligned business—one that supports her energy, her life, and her community.
Building Connection in a Disconnected World
Jackie doesn’t just talk about community—she lives it. You’ll hear how she cultivated deep trust and real relationships through authenticity, listening, and showing up consistently (even when it felt imperfect).
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
00:05:40 – How burnout led Jackie back to her forgotten art supplies
00:10:11 – Why focusing on how creating feels is more powerful than how it looks
00:15:23 – The moment her YouTube channel monetized—and why she didn’t chase the money
00:19:16 – How true connection (not scale) became the center of her business
00:21:30 – Why she said goodbye to most social media—and what happened next
00:26:02 – What to do when you don’t feel “ready” to start building a community
00:31:52 – Why her membership is quarterly (and what that decision unlocked)
Meet Jackie Bernardi
Jackie Bernardi is the founder of Painted Paper Studio and the Confident Creative Collective, where she helps retirees, empty nesters, and aspiring artists reconnect with creativity through the joyful practice of painted paper collage. With a thriving YouTube presence and a heart for real connection, Jackie is redefining what creative success can look like—especially later in life.
Whatever season you're in, this conversation is your reminder: it’s never too late to create a life—and a business—that feels deeply, beautifully yours.
