Jessica Honegger, founder and co-CEO of Noonday Collection, has spent the last eight years building her Austin-based direct sales jewelry and accessories company. A business that started as a means to fund Honegger’s international adoption of her son, Jack, has now grown in to the largest fair trade business in the world. Honegger’s latest project is her book, Imperfect Courage.

Imperfect Courage is filled with powerful stories of people changed by bravely moving through fears to find more enriched and connected lives. It is a refreshingly honest call to action to courageously lean in to our own stories. Honegger asks readers to be vulnerable; to own the fears in their head to which we all fall prey, then move forward through them to be the best, most authentic version of themselves. She manages to deliver practical encouragement equally to those with big dreams, as well as those still searching for ways to find their own path to what makes them feel most alive. She grants all the permission to start where they are, with what they can give, in their quest to impact the world as they were divinely called to do.

“I have let fear sideline me for far too long…” ~ Jessica Honegger, Founder, Noonday Collection

Honegger’s book reads like a loving conversation we are all desperate to have with the worldly, wise and honest girlfriend. It was a joy to take a few moments to chat with her about the thoughts behind this amazing book.

Why did you want to write this book?

I have let fear sideline me for far too long and I know other women are in that same place. I really want to encourage women to live a life of purpose by leaving comfort and going scared, never letting their fears get in the way.

You write about having to trust yourself to get to where you want to go. How do you feel that trust is built?

I do know it’s not built by looking outside of yourself. A lot of us build our identity based on where we stand in comparison to others. We learn early on to look for where we stand in relation to everyone else. I think when you are really able to let that go and understand that you have something unique that makes your heart go pitter patter, that you have something that is truly unique to you that will meet a unique need in the world, I think that begins that trust.

You had an early passion to help others. What do you suggest to someone who has no clue what makes their heart beat a little faster, or feels so stuck they aren’t even sure what their dreams are?

It’s really important if you feel like that to talk to or interview a trusted friend and ask them, “Why are you my friend?” They may tell you are a great listener, or you always make them laugh, or you’re always up for an adventure. I also think sometimes you just have to get out there and start trying things. The process of finding out what we aren’t good at, what doesn’t light our hearts on fire, is part of the process of finding what does.

Everyone I know is “busy,” and wears that title like a badge of honor. You write about self-care and prioritizing. What is one step someone could take to break their busy cycle to find more purpose in their lives?

Go get a massage or do a really intense workout. Both break that whirlwind within ourselves. I feel that has to break in your body, not just your mind.

What are your guilty pleasures?

Whiskey, chips and queso, and online shopping.

Leslie Dadidakis lives in Round Rock, TX with her husband, four kids, and two dogs. When she isn’t shuffling kids to activities or driving school carpool she reads, writes, and crafts the perfect Instagram posts.