A Post-Helene Update from Jen

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to check in on me and my family. We are safe. Our roof is already repaired. My talented son Elijah (owner of Hominy Farm bakery operating out of Candler, North Carolina) is baking bread in his wood-fired oven for distribution to the hungry ... coordinating with local organizations and World Central Kitchen .

My husband Jason and I had recently acquired a business we are passionate about ... Nolo, a non-alcoholic bottle shop located at Marquee Asheville in Asheville's River Arts District. It was a business we hadn't yet fully launched on all digital properties, but one with a dedicated brick and mortar community who we absolutely adore.

With very limited access to wifi and cell service - even now, over a week after the storm and flooding - I'm not sure what the world knows about this storm. It was massively, comprehensively, devastatingly brutal. Our new business as we knew it is gone. We could salvage nothing.

But we are not alone, as over 80% of the businesses in the arts district were eradicated by the storm.

The once beautiful building we'd been in was a huge warehouse filled with artists and antique vendors. It was completely submerged to the roof with river water and had walls blown out from the pressure of the flooding. Some buildings were filled with mud, some were torn apart completely like so many Lego blocks crushed by nature's foot.

But it's so much more than businesses lost. It's the devastation of the people of Asheville, Tryon (where I hail from), Saluda, Swannanoa, Black Mountain, Canton, Candler, Old Fort, Bat Cave, Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, and beyond who have suffered losses I would never have imagined and would not wish on my worst enemy.

Mudslides overtook homes and the people within them. Flooding raised buildings from their foundations, making them unlivable, trees fell - so many trees - taking out houses, snapping power lines, crushing cars.

It's apocalyptic. Today, over a week since the storm, as I sit here outside the library providing free wifi to those of us still without utilities (like me and all the people in my neighborhood), I feel thankful for the support and coordination of the people of this area, and thankful to all of the people who have been trying to check in on us. I've seen the saddest things in my entire life over the last week. I've lived through 2 governmental coups in South America and many Florida hurricanes. This is a war zone.

When asked what is needed I say this: please donate to World Central Kitchen and American Red Cross North Carolina who are on the ground since the beginning helping feed and give shelter to our area.

Jason and I are dedicated to continuing with Nolo but right now are volunteering to support cleanup and feeding locals. We'll need to completely reimagine "How we Nolo" going forward ... and to be honest, neither Jason nor I have the imagination or creativity for that right now.

We'll try to keep our Nolo instagram updates coming...but please be patient as it's very very hard to get any reliable cell or wifi service. The time I've had to write this is the longest I've had with service in over a week.

Please stay aware and invested in Western North Carolina. We all need the awareness and the donations to support people who have lost it all.

My family and I are safe, have a sound home, and will soon enough have power and (crossing fingers) wifi of our own.

If you need help, we want to help.

If you can help, please consider donating to the two nonprofits I've mentioned.

I'm working to compile a list of proven local nonprofits as well.

As for The Podgress Report, my passion-project podcast featuring science, data, research and inspiring stories of success after workplace burnout....I'm dedicated more than ever to continuing as soon as I can and have already begun to think through how the podcast might raise the awareness of entrepreneurs who lost it all unexpectedly in this storm. These are wonderful people and their stories of resilience - I am certain - will spark strength in those who hear them. But that requires power and stable cell/wifi. So stay tuned.

Thank you. For the outreach and your donations of support.

From me, your fan, Jen - a Tryon, North Carolina resident perched with gratitude on the first peak of the majestic and resilient Blue Ridge Mountains.