Founder of JL PR, and The Baskiti Co. has positioned herself as an influential presence in the the PR, design and decor spaces. Her innovative approach to creating storage solutions using locally sourced products sets her apart as a game-changer.
Glamour: What does Women's Month mean to you?
Jana Leonard: A celebration of women all over the world! Women are amazing, there’s no two ways about it and it’s a wonderful reminder to celebrate ourselves. I’m normally more of a cheerleader!
Glamour: What does it mean to be a woman in the spaces you occupy in 2023?
JL: In PR it’s all about hard work, being creative, continuously innovating and SO MUCH FUN! I love building relationships, meeting new people, and growing within the PR industry. In terms of design for The Baskiti Co. - powerful! I launched Baskiti because of a product I thought was needed (and that I DESPERATELY needed and still need) and to have so many customers appreciate our offering is honestly just the most amazing feeling in the world.
Glamour: What would you attribute your success to?
JL: HARD WORK, a little bit of luck, a strong focus on building and maintaining authentic relationships, and being kind. Always!
Glamour: What has been the biggest highlight of your journey?
JL: For Baskiti, it was when an order came through and I didn’t know who the customer was - that is when you know your brand is seen by people other than your mom. My mom was my very first customer! Ha! For JL PR, when big brands started approaching me for PR. I knew, after 7 years, I have made my mark!
Glamour: Do you have any lessons you'd like to share with our audience?
JL: I have learned many many lessons on my journey, but the most important is - always to be kind, listen and then respond. You don’t know everything, be open to receiving input and guidance.
Glamour: What sort of conversations do you naturally gravitate towards?
JL: I love shop talk! haha! But other than that I love learning from others - not only in a professional sense but where they’ve been, their best lunch spot, a beautiful story of their friend or dog, their favourite travel destination, where they buy the best baby food. I want lighthearted - the world can sometimes be heavy enough.
Glamour: What's your approach to social impact?
JL: Do your best and consider that enough. One small change can make a difference, we don’t need a huge impact right away - chip away and change will come!
Glamour: Which women are on your radar at the moment and why?
JL: Obsessed with Crystal Birch, the Me&B team, Emma from The Friday Street Club, and Hannah Leverly. I’m realising more and more that I gravitate to fun, engaging women who don’t necessarily take themselves too seriously. And product-wise, Mooi Mirrors is exquisite!
Glamour: Why is it important for women to be celebrated?
JL: Honestly, because we deserve it. We are more than nurturers however being a nurturer is often our superpower because we can see the emotional side of any situation!
Glamour: What are your plans for Women's Day?
JL: Spending it with some of my favourite humans in Sutherland watching the stars!
Glamour: What's your message to women in business?
JL: You CAN do it, always try, no one will ask you why you failed, they’ll ask - what are you doing next?
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