Born and raised in Ghana, West Africa, EJ (@emeraldjanehunter) emigrated to the US in 1999. We met at Luther College that same year, and over the last two decades, I have watched her incredible gusto for life shift into a fearless business mentality. She now lives out her passions every day through her vision at myWHY.

Emerald Jane Hunter

I’ve had the great privilege to not only call EJ a friend but also a mentor, a boss, and a colleague. Over the years, it has been no surprise to see her drive lead to four Emmy Awards for producing, and now it has manifested into a business where she energetically leads a team of amazingly talented, game-changing women.
Over the last several years, EJ has continued to deepen her self-care practices with an open heart about where it leads her. From exploring better boundaries, using sound frequency to aid in sleep, creating a community of like-minded people who she leans on, and hacking her fitness habits with the latest virtual reality tools, when it comes to the right tools to balance energy, EJ is all in. And, it’s within this space of grounded, determined focus that she continues to live her purpose every day.

Self-Care Leads to Big Success

Following our conversation in 2020, EJ’s professional success has not only meant big wins for her clients, it has also propelled her agency. A certified WBENC, SBA WOSB, and Chicago MBE/WBE company, myWHY amplifies brand voices in a way that’s aware, authentic, and accountable to generate long-term value that makes a difference. In fact, in the last seven years, the agency has served more than 200 clients globally. myWHY was a 2020 and 2022 PRNEWS award-winner and EJ was named 2022 PRNEWS Top Women in PR (Innovator Category). She is also a graduate and cohort ambassador of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program.

“Dream big. The limits only exist in your mind.”

Top 3 Tips for Finding Deep Joy

Beyond happiness, understand what really brings YOU true joy.
It’s essential to intentionally create space to be alone.
Don’t be afraid to find unconventional tools for your self-care practices.

A few of my favorite insights from EJ

0:00 - Introduction

2:47 - Creating a business out of love

6:19 - Self-care practices (found in COVID)

9:25 - Understanding sleep patterns

10:30 - Using sound therapy and finding better sleep

12:31 - We are energy and why it matters

14:10 - Living your full potential

19:20 - Making self-care work

21:00 - Finding deep joy

22:31 - Seeking out like-minded people

23:03 - Making space to be alone

29:07 - Using virtual reality to get fit

34:23 - The importance of creating a community

About EJ

As the Ringleader of myWHY Agency, Emerald-Jane Hunter, or EJ, is a force to be reckoned with. A four-time Emmy Award-winning producer and a master of all things media, storytelling, and content creation, EJ has a background of 15 years working in television and is now making a splash in the world of Integrated Marketing. In 2003, she moved to Chicago, where she discovered that her “WHY” was storytelling via television. From reality TV to live events, from show running to talent booking, EJ has done it all. Now, as president of her own agency, EJ is finally living in her WHY. She’s most fulfilled working with entrepreneurially minded brands and companies, managing strategic communications, and crafting integrated marketing campaigns aimed at further elevating and amplifying brand voices—and, of course, telling compelling, inspiring stories.

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