Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Thompson.
Hi Jen, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey to founding JT Consulting Innovations started in the spring of 2024, though the seeds were planted long before that. I had spent years in the corporate world, specializing in M&A system integration—specifically helping organizations bring their Workday systems together after acquisitions. I was one of the few people at my firm who truly understood the complexities of post-acquisition integration, and that meant I was in high demand.
But that demand came at a cost. The long hours and relentless pace eventually caught up with me. I was burnt out and, honestly, miserable. I knew something had to change.
Then one day, a simple thought popped into my head: Why don’t I just do this on my own?
That question changed everything. I started researching what it would take to build my own consulting practice. I wanted to do it right, so I enrolled in a 12-week entrepreneur program called Her Big Leap. That class gave me the knowledge, confidence, and framework I needed to turn my idea into a reality.
On September 4, 2024, I officially launched JT Consulting Innovations.
It hasn’t always been easy, but through hard work, dedication, and some incredibly generous recommendations from former colleagues, I started gaining momentum and landing contracts. Today, I couldn’t be happier. I have more freedom and flexibility than I ever had in the corporate world, and I genuinely love working with my clients—helping them navigate the chaos of post-acquisition integration and turn it into a strategic advantage.
Looking back, taking that leap was the best decision I ever made.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nothing worthwhile is ever easy, and building JT Consulting Innovations has been no exception.
In the early months, I did everything you’re supposed to do. I networked relentlessly. I posted on LinkedIn consistently. I reached out directly to firms that had recently completed acquisitions—companies I knew could benefit from my expertise. And for a while, the results were… nothing. Silence. It was discouraging, to say the least.
When you’re putting yourself out there day after day and not seeing traction, it’s easy to question whether you made the right decision. But I kept going because I believed in what I was building and knew the need was there.
Then one day, everything changed. An old colleague called and said she had a client who needed exactly what I offer. That single phone call opened the door, and from there, momentum started to build. One project led to another, and before I knew it, I was busy—genuinely busy—with meaningful work that I love.
What makes it even sweeter is that I’ve been able to build this business while maintaining a flexible schedule that works for my family. That was always the goal, and I’m proud to say I’m living it. The early struggles were worth it to get here.
We’ve been impressed with JT Consulting Innovations, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At JT Consulting Innovations, I specialize in one thing: helping decisive executives seamlessly integrate Workday systems following mergers and acquisitions.
When two organizations become one, your technology should follow suit—without draining resources or delaying the synergies that were promised in the deal. The reality is, the ink is barely dry on most acquisition agreements before executive teams start asking for consolidated reporting, synergy metrics, and integration timelines. HR and Payroll leaders suddenly find themselves facing the complex challenge of merging disparate systems while maintaining business continuity. That’s where I come in.
I partner with HR and Payroll leaders to deliver on the post-acquisition promises they’ve made to their executives. That means providing unified reporting so leadership has a single source of truth for confident decision-making. It means identifying opportunities for cost reduction by eliminating redundant positions, processes, and technology investments. And it means accelerating synergies by implementing standardized processes that leverage the best practices from both organizations.
With over 20 years of consulting experience and 12 years working specifically in the Workday ecosystem, I bring deep expertise to every engagement. I’ve been focused on M&A integration since 2020, so I understand the urgency, the complexity, and the stakes involved. Every day with unintegrated systems represents lost value—and I help my clients capture that value as quickly as possible.
What are you most proud of?
Helping my clients be successful. That’s it—that’s the answer.
There’s nothing more rewarding than watching an HR or Payroll leader who was overwhelmed by the chaos of a post-acquisition integration finally get to a place where everything clicks. When they can walk into a board meeting with unified data and clear answers. When they’ve eliminated redundancies and can show real cost savings. When their employees from both legacy organizations feel like they’re part of one cohesive company.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about Raleigh is the diversity. This city has so much to offer—the different restaurants, the museums, the nightlife. There’s always something new to explore, and I love that you can experience so many different cultures and experiences without ever leaving the area. It’s a city that feels alive and always evolving.
What I like least? The traffic on I-40. I think anyone who’s sat in that congestion during rush hour knows exactly what I’m talking about. It’s the one part of living here that tests my patience!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jtconsultinginnovations.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jt-consulting-innovations/?viewAsMember=true
