Jenny Defines Passion
By ALISON BEEBE, TopCity Flavorista
Photos by JOHN BURNS
Jenny Torrence owns Pinkadilly, Serendipity and Jenny’s Pop-Up On The Block in the historic North Topeka business district—NOTO. She realized early on that she controls her own destiny, so she tries to always focus on the positive.
“A big thing to me is the power of your brain,” Jenny said. “My motto is‘ What you think about, you bring about.’”
JENNY DEFINES PASSION
Alison: Owning a small business can be brutal, what’s the passion behind your story?
Jenny: I love that I am my own boss. It’s really not about the title behind it. I truly believe that a person should design the life they love. I always like to fight for the underdog and do what I can to make an impact. The universe put me in NOTO to meet so many neat people. I set my own hours and design my own life. I can go and see the world and travel. Fun fact, as an adult I’ve always been self-employed, so I’ve never had to ask for time off to travel.
Alison: What are you most proud of in terms of your business?
Jenny: I’m most proud of the impact my businesses have had to help with the growth in NOTO. It was very important to me from the start that everyone was welcome—however you voted, whatever your skin color or your sexual orientation. I love that we’ll have a room full of people that is so diverse just talking and enjoying one another and vibing with music. That excites me. It’s really neat to see the beauty that is in those couple of blocks.
Alison: What sets you apart from other businesses?
Jenny: I think one of the best things about being a small mom and pop is that there’s no business like it. We don’t have a formula, instruction manual or pre-packaged product. We have to create our own path. There’s no two ever alike, and that’s what makes a town so vibrant and unique. The small businesses and the people that support it are what define it.
Alison: Where do you see your business in a year or two?
Jenny: Probably doing the same thing I’m doing right now. I think I’ll continue this challenge of running and managing properties. You’ll see me in Topeka plugging away for 5-10 more years.
