About Us

About Jane Out of the Box

Jane Out of the Box a research, publishing, and education company dedicated to helping women business owners live the lifestyle of their dreams. The company’s knowledge is grounded in substantial research with female entrepreneurs designed to understand their needs, challenges, and motivations. This information comes to life in several ways:

- Educational content provided to female entrepreneurs to help them betterunderstand themselves, their businesses, and how to shape their businesses in ways that support their desired lifestyles. Information is shared via our weekly electronic newsletter, blog, books and articles, tele-seminars, speaking engagements, and via our upcoming Jane Radio program.

- Jane Out of the Box’s understanding of female entrepreneurs is also used to educate and influence large corporations and government agencies who create products and services for women business owners and/or who hire women through diversity programs. By participating in specific research projects with Jane Out of the Box, women business owners can make sure their voice is heard by these organizations.

Additionally, Jane Out of the Box is committed to helping individual women succeed through connecting them to opportunities and resources that will help them grow. The Jane Out of the Box community connects via FaceBook and our upcoming Coffee with Jane online chat.

As a woman entrepreneur herself, running a multi-million dollar business, Jane Out of the Box Founder, Michele DeKinder-Smith, felt compelled to use her 20-year research career knowledge and personal experiences to help women business owners. By gathering rich information and sharing this information with women and the companies and agencies who serve them, Jane Out of the Box hopes to foster opportunity for all. To get more information about participating in on-going Jane Out of the Box research projects, please visit our advisory panel page.

About Michele DeKinder-Smith

Michele DeKinder-Smith is a seasoned researcher having specialized in marketing, consumer and business research for over 20 years. She has interviewed thousands of business owners and is an entrepreneur herself, who’s taken her business over the million-dollar mark! She understands the needs of large corporations, government agencies and the female entrepreneur. Through her research, publications, consulting and training Michele helps each of these audiences achieve their goals.

Michele is married to Rob and proud mom to RJ, who currently attends DePaul University in Chicago.  In addition to Jane Out of the Box, Michele owns Linkage Research & Consulting, founded in 1998 and Rob has recently started his own business, Beautiful Day Yacht Charters.