Why, the Duchess?

well... it finally happened.   Me and a Blog.  Not two things that I would have ever put together, then again, maybe so.   I am not sure that I even know the "correct" way to blog or what you're supposed to blog about... but, with the new year...  here goes.

First, I guess we should get acquainted so that you might get to know the person behind the pen or in this case, the keypad.   I am from the South, Mississippi, in fact.   Born and as a friend of mine would say, reared here.   You'll find as you continue to read my blog, that I am a genuine person.  I speak, or in this case write,  from the heart and there are definitely a lot of things that I am passionate about in life.  You won't always agree with me and that's okay too.    I don't like fake people.  I don't like people who use others to get what they want, although, I've been told... it's just the way it is in life.  I love to laugh and through my own experiences, I hope that I can share some of life's little joys with you.    I am 46 and probably in the midst of my fourth mid-life crisis...but, I'm real.

I've been fortunate to have had two great career opportunities that allowed me to expand my world beyond Mississippi.  I am the kind of person who enjoys life, but most of all, I enjoy the people who make up life.

So... why, the Duchess.





For the past 10 plus years, my career has been in the hospitality industry.  Two years ago, I found myself making a decision where I had resigned from a top executive position and was trying to determine what to do with my life.   I knew that whatever it was... I wanted to stay connected. People... relationships were my passion.   I had talked to a number of my friends and colleagues who had told me that consulting was the way to go.  So... I decided why not give it a try, but I needed a name - a way to brand myself outside of what I had been known for during the past 10 years, so... being from the south... one thing that people always told me was never lose the southern hospitality that I had always shown others.   With that thought in mind, The Pineapple Group LLC came to exist.   The pineapple is the international symbol of hospitality and although, I am the only person in my company, I decided to go with group because I felt like if there was something that I couldn't consult on, I had the relationships to facilitate an introduction to the right person and... it's a known fact for those who know me... I love being with people.    During the past two years, I have been fortunate to have worked with  a small circle of companies that I do projects for and we became a family... the pineapple family as I like to refer to them.   We were in Puerto Rico for a venue visit for a project,  enjoying a nice dinner and a great bottle of wine and one of my friends became hysterical with laughter.  Of course, we all wanted in on it... and he pointed above my head, because he couldn't speak... and hanging above my head.. was a picture of a huge pineapple with the head of a royal.    Huge Pineapple head and all... and under the photo... it said "The Duchess".   After the laughter subsided, the i-phone photos taken... we toasted it as a sign..something that was simply meant to be.  From that point, I  became affectionately  known as "the duchess of pineapple".   It was a symbol of great times with great friends enjoying what life has to offer. 

So, you're asking, why...start a blog out this way?  To me, everything has to have a beginning... so, why not?  Hopefully along the way, there will be something of interest and maybe something helpful too.   Maybe a hotel or restaurant you might want to check out after reading my blog, a wine or cocktail...or maybe a life experience that you can relate to that... brings a chuckle or giggle or maybe a shared irritation.  Most of all, I hope that you find my blog real... genuine and from the heart. 

As we say in the south....ya'll come back now... ya hear.

Jen Robinson

Duchess of Pineapple