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Imperfect Courage: Live a Life of Purpose by Leaving Comfort and Going Scared by Jessica Honegger

November 4, 2018 Melanie Hawken
Jessica Honegger

Jessica Honegger

In her book Imperfect Courage, Jessica Honegger, founder of the popular fair trade jewelry brand Noonday Collection, shares her story of starting the rapidly growing business that impacts over 4,500 artisans in vulnerable communities across the globe. She invites readers on a journey of transformation, challenging them to trade their comfort zones for a life of impact and adventure.



In 2015, Inc. magazine recognized Noonday Collection as one of the fastest-growing companies in America. But years earlier, as its founder Jessica Honegger stood at a pawn-shop counter in Austin, Texas, and handed over her grandmother's gold jewelry, her goal was much more personal: to fund the adoption of her Rwandan son, Jack, by selling artisan-made jewelry. This first step launched an unexpected side-hustle that would grow into Noonday Collection. Jessica embarked on this new journey and teamed up with her first artisan partner, Jalia, a Ugandan jewelry maker. She saw the meaningful impact Noonday brought to Jalia's community and knew it was the right move. Fear crept into Jessica's heart as she realized her success, or failure, meant the same for Jalia. But refusing to let fear hinder her goals, Jessica found the necessary (if imperfect) courage she needed along the way - the courage to leave comfort and embrace a life of risk and impact.

In Imperfect Courage, Jessica encourages her readers to discover their imperfect courage. She takes them by the hand and invites them to trade their comfort zones for a life of impact and meaning. First, she invites them to draw a circle of compassion around themselves and leads them through some soul-searching aimed at setting them free. Next, she challenges all of us to come together, dare to be vulnerable with one another, and commit to building a culture of collaboration. Finally, Jessica calls on everyone to broaden their circle of compassion to embrace the entire globe--and to bring their beautifully imperfect courage to a world that needs it.

Author quotes

Choose to say yes to big dreams, even when fear is knocking at the door.

Instead of waiting for fear to subside, make it your friend. Because when you’ve got a vision, you don’t have time to wait around for fears to vanish before you start moving.

That thing that makes you come alive that you’ve just been waiting for the courage to do? It’s time to give it a go.

While comfort may beckon us, choosing courage will always be the route to impact.

About the author

JESSICA HONEGGER is the founder of Noonday Collection, a fair-trade jewelry company that partners with artisans across the globe to create unique and hand-made pieces of jewelry. She and Noonday work to empower women from a wide variety of communities and cultures to create their own, thriving businesses by partnering with Noonday as an artisan or ambassador. Jessica lives in Austin with her husband and children.

www.noondaycollection.com


Why LoA loves it….

For all those people who dream of living an impactful, passion driven life, and harnessing the power of social entrepreneurship to achieve those goals, then Jessica Honegger’s book Imperfect Courage is a great source of inspiration. She takes readers through her own very personal journey and shows them how to find the courage to leave their comfort zones and embrace a life of risk and impact. This is a heartfelt book written by someone who has a passion for Africa and for making a difference to the lives of others - a great read. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and ceo of Lionesses of Africa

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Big bold accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The brand c Image of the Day / ReelFruit
 
Healthy snack treats…We love showcasing Africa’s women agribusiness builders, and ReelFruit, founded by Affiong Williams, is inspirational - it’s the largest fruit processing, packaging and distributi Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Handbag…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a company Image of the Day / Eki Silk

Silk Serenity…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Her latest Deep Dive Collection is inspired by the p Image of the Day / The Nanjala Company

Pot plants delivered… Give gifts that will last, such as these stunning plants in individual pots from The Nanjala Company in Kenya, founded by Teresa Nanjala Lubano. This online store creates customized Image of the Day / Sari for Change

Sustainable Sari Glamour - If you want to wear a robe that makes you feel and look glamorous, then Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem in South Africa, has a range of fabulous robes all made from sari fabrics. She has Image of the Day / MonChoco

Pure chocolate heaven…If you are a chocolate lover, then you need to experience raw chocolate at its finest, and Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco an artisan chocolatier in Côte d’Ivoire, has just what y Image of the Day / Mulandi Brindes

Say it with flowers…If you want to make someone feel special, then there is no better way than with the gift of fresh flowers, and Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique, founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, creates Image of the Day / Mariée Eventos

The Wedding Planner…Every big celebration day needs great organization, and that’s where Iris Lezi Munguambe, founder of Mariée Eventos in Mozambique, is your go-to person. She launched he Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi

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