Meet the JPF Family
Joel is known as the rock. He's steady and persistent. He's fun and has a contagious friendly, personality. He loves basketball and football- both college and pro. And he's the ultimate multi-tasker.
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Joel has a 4 year Culinary education prior to his car accident, which left him unable to eat by mouth for over 5 years. Now that he is able to eat again, he is a lover of everything food and puts Lauren's cooking skills to the test and refines her recipes as the taste tester.
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Joel was also left paralyzed from the neck down. However, despite the odds, he began painting Christmas cards by mouth for his family members in 2014. When his and Lauren's story went viral, as they recreated their first dance when Joel stood for the first time in the Neuro-Recovery Unit of Brooks Rehab, they were able to share their love story with the world in 2015.
Joel's paintings are since are all around the world in the homes of all of those who have stood by him and supported the Jacksons in their journey to find a home, continue his therapy, and grow their family.
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Lauren is known as the go-getter. She is the entrepreneur, the creative, and the dreamer of the group. She's been developing business plans since as long as she could remember- from cooking shows, to hand-making pocket books and headbands, to developing wedding planning templates from books she bought as a teen.
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Lauren enrolled in the Interior Design program at Winthrop University and finished her degree in Business Administration in Hospitality and Tourism. She has a passion for educating and mentoring other small business owners and helping them thrive.
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Lauren started her own photography business as just an enthusiast in 2010, but fell in love with capturing timeless moments in every season of every life she encountered. She began taking care of Joel's needs and they decided it was time for Lauren to stay home- building a life and growing their family. And... JPF was born.
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Lauren has a passion for people and hosting and never met a stranger. She loves to encourage others in their journey and enjoys time on the farm with all her "kids". On the farm she's referred to as the duck lady at feeding time.
Lauren
Joel
Kenzie
How we met (from Lauren):
Mackenzie came to us first as a potential JPF Bride. She soon became part of our family. Joel continued to ask me over and over when I was going to hire her. Since he's the real boss around here, in January 2018 we made it official. Mackenzie started working with Joel with regular home therapy. Meanwhile I had pitched her the idea of running our market from home as a stay-at-home Momma and she ran with it.
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David & Kenzie:
My husband is a U.S. Navy Sailor. We just got married in December of 2017, but I have known him over half of my 23 year old life. He is extremely intellectual and wonderfully, subtle-ly hilarious. He enjoys reading and currently working on our new home. He is my encourager, constantly pushing me to learn more and dig a little deeper. He believes in me and my BIG dreams. I am passionate about creating a healthier tomorrow, today. I want to create a world with more birthdays, and all the other cliches. I enjoy learning, and don’t want to ever stop. I love to research and I enjoy rehabilitation medicine.
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Kenzie at JPF:
Kenzie is the head of our social media and planning. She also is creative and is the best assistant we could ask for, in every area of our life.
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Freddie
Who is Freddie:
Freddie came to us {Joel and Lauren} through adoption. He has been with us since June 1st, 2018 and officially became our son on August 28, 2018. He is 14, LOVES animals, enjoys cooking, and video games.
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Freddie's Sweet Treats:
Freddie decided to open his own treat business this summer. He loves cooking and all his pets, so what better way for him to save a little and teach him about business than to start his own?! Freddie also makes clay ornaments, hand-stamped for your fur family.
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