Meet Jennifer Sullivan | Founder of The Middle

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Sullivan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, what principle do you value most?
Integrity. When I started The Middle, I promised to offer news that was both unbiased and nonpartisan. I, however, am only human, so while I consider myself a moderate, I naturally lean a little more one way than the other. But I made a promise to my readers, and part of being an effective business owner is honoring the promises that you make to your consumers. So every day I aim to operate with integrity. Sometimes, that means going against my innate impulses. Other times, it means heeding them. Either way, I make it a priority to ensure that I am operating in good faith and making good on my pledge. Whether that means checking to ensure that the language that I use is equitable or that I am covering both sides objectively, I make a concerted effort to act as a check on myself so that I can put forth the best product and hold true to my word. In business, we are often inclined to act in a manner that is most expedient or most profitable or most personally gratifying, when, really, we should be acting in the manner that is most principled. Most judicious. Most honest. And sometimes that won’t be expedient, or profitable, or personally gratifying. But it will be those things to your consumers, and, in the end, I believe that they will reward you for the exercise in integrity.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Writing is something that I have long been passionate about but never thought to pursue professionally until encouraged by friends and family. And I am so grateful for that push. Because, while the path to get here was neither smooth nor linear, the best things in life seldom are. And while I may have ended my journey at an unforeseen destination, every stop along the way worked to mold who I am both as an individual and as a professional. For me, I am most excited to tell meaningful stories. To pare down an issue to its root. To amplify the voices of others. To offer some semblance of unity in a time that has been marred by division. The written word is a powerful tool, and I am eager to use it in an effort to make sense of the world around us and to push us closer to understanding.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite place to go in South Florida is Las Olas! The street is beautiful and bustling, filled with locals and tourists alike, which makes it a great people-watching spot. And the restaurants are as varied as they are delicious. I am also a big fan of the breweries in both Dade and Broward. From Funky Buddha and Invasive Species to LauderAle and Veza Sur, you can go wrong with nary a one. In this age of COVID-19, however, I would probably opt for a more remote destination. Perhaps the beach or a day on a boat. Maybe a jaunt to the Bahamas, if we’re feeling particularly adventurous, or just a quick flight down the coast. As a pilot, I can confidently say that there is no better place to socially distance than up in the air.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband deserves as much recognition as anybody. Not only does he support me in my every endeavor, he promotes them as if they were his own, and he acts as my biggest cheerleader when I am riddled with doubt or in the throes of Imposter Syndrome. Without him, not only would I lack the resources to pursue my passions, but I would lack the will, too. Because, ultimately, he is the fuel that drives me. He is the motivation that inspires me to succeed and the supporter that plies me with the confidence necessary to take risks. Without him, there would be no me, and there would certainly be no The Middle.

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