Woman 2 Watch-Ilana Jacqueline

By Friday Girl on Feb 18, 2011 in Women 2 Watch

Ilana Jacqueline, Today's Teen Online

Ilana Jacqueline is only twenty years old and is already the C.E.O. and Editor-in-Chief of Today’s Teen Online—a national, online magazine for ages 13-21. After working at Today’s Teen when she was in high school, Ilana bought the company from the previous publisher and turned it national two years after her high school graduation. Read below to find more about this Woman 2 Watch!

FG: What was the inspiration behind starting Today’s Teen Online?

IJ: At 14 I published my first article. I remember getting it in the mail and just feeling like I was really somebody, that my thoughts and ideas were being read by hundreds of people—and I knew I could make a difference that way. The ability to give teens the chance to have that same feeling, and to reach their peers all over the world is a job I wouldn’t trade for any other.

FG: What were some of the challenges you faced when first starting your business?

IJ: While Today’s Teen Online was a no-overhead start up, it’s still only 6 months in and while we have a phenomenal readership, we are looking for sponsors.

FG: How did your friends and family react when you told them that you were starting a business?

IJ: “GO FOR IT!”

FG: What are the future plans for Today’s Teen Online?

IJ: Today’s Teen Online is owned by my LLC, About Time Media. About Time Media will expand to include several more teen-based websites, including “Materniteens” with teen pregnancy information and “Universiteens” with college and scholarship information.

FG: How many of your business decisions are based on know how vs. your intuition?

IJ: Pretty much all of my decisions are based on intuition. I’m twenty, I’m not enrolled in business school. I’m a self-learner, I need to observe and react accordingly. I work with teens every day, it’s my job to be in tune with what they want.

FG: What do you consider to be some of the major highlights of your career thus far?

IJ: I’m just getting started, but Today’s Teen Online has started working with MTV on things like interviews with the cast from Teen Mom, we’ve held two fantastic photo shoots, and are expanding to two more sites after our first six months.

FG: What is a spiritual mantra or philosophy that you live by?

IJ: My mother always encouraged me to ask, “How does it get any better than this?” and never settle with the idea that it “can’t get any better than this!”

FG: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

IJ: Think big, especially when you’re microscopic.

FG: What would you tell your younger-self if you knew then what you know now?

IJ: Take in every detail of high school, every scent, every student, every lesson—because before you know it, you’ll be gone!

Finish this sentence….

FG: Women should stop complaining about their _________________ and _______________

IJ: dissatisfaction with their jobs and start taking risks to do what will make them happy.

FG: If your life had a soundtrack what would be your top three songs?

IJ: No Such Thing, John Mayer, No Handle Bars, The FloBots, Say, John Mayer

FG: What project(s) do you have coming up?

IJ: My company, About Time Media, LLC. Is preparing to launch the sister site to our flagship site. Materniteens.com will assist pregnant teens with decisions about their futures.

For more information on Ilana Jacqueline and Today’s Teen Online email Editor@TodaysTeenOnline.com or visit websites www.ilanawrites.com, www.todaysteenonline.com, www.materniteens.com.