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"Life isn't always perfect. But it is overflowing with teachings."

- Jill Blashack Strahan

A small-town girl with big dreams. A brilliant businesswoman. And a force to be reckoned with.

Today Jill Blashack Strahan is a captivating speaker, author and one of the nation's leading female entrepreneurs. Above all, she's a role model and inspiration to thousands of people across the country.

Starting Small & Dreaming Big

Born and raised in rural Minnesota, Jill grew up on her family's farm, where she was deeply influenced by her father's entrepreneurial spirit. "Dad was typically before his time," she says. "He was an ideas man."

Like father, like daughter.

After earning an associate's degree in sales and marketing, Jill co-owned and managed a cafe with her father called "Jill's Grill" and later started her own retail gift basket shop. And then her story took a whole new turn.

In 1995, she founded Tastefully Simple on what she often calls "a dream and a shoestring." In fact, the company started in a 1,200-square-foot shed with no running water, using a pool table as a packing station.

Finding Strength in Tragedy

Then – just three years into the business – Jill was rocked by tragedy. Her brother was killed in a fall, and only a few months later, her husband died suddenly. Jill was then faced with raising her 5-year-old son alone and a skyrocketing business. The decision to continue was difficult. However, Jill pushed herself and developed a new appreciation for living one day at a time. She says, "You always have a choice. You can get better or get bitter."

Moving Onward & Upward

Today it’s easy to see how Jill Blashack Strahan’s passion and perseverance paid off. Tastefully Simple has become a $100 million-plus, award-winning company in the Inc. 500 Hall of Fame. (Learn more at www.tastefullysimple.com.)

Thanks to her outstanding leadership and spirit, Jill has also been personally recognized with many honors, such as:

2010

Twin Cities Business "200 Minnesotans You Should Know"

2009

Minnesota Business Professionals of America – Outstanding Business Executive of the Year Award

2008

Minneapolis/St. Paul Women in Business Industry Leader Honoree

2007

Minnesota Entrepreneurs, Inc. Entrepreneur of the Year

2006

Twin Cities Business Hall of Fame

2005

Inc. magazine’s list of "Inc. 500" CEO All-Stars

2005

Fast Company magazine’s 25 Top Women Business Builders

2004

Small Business Administration Entrepreneurial Success Award

2003

Ernst & Young^® Entrepreneur of the Year National Finalist

2000

Ernst & Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year for Minnesota & the Dakotas

Today Jill makes her home in Alexandria, Minnesota, with her husband, Gary, and her son, Zach.

Inspiring Others to Shine

In 2007, Jill Blashack Strahan also became a published author with Simply Shine: Stories That Stirred the Fire – a collection of inspirational stories about her life and journey with Tastefully Simple. And in 2008, she began sharing her powerful and uplifting message with the nation as an inspirational speaker.

Ready to find out more? Learn more about Jill’s keynote presentations!