93. Jeni Novak, Founder of Novak Entertainment
Ali on the Run Show
Ali Feller
4.9 • 3.7K Ratings
🗓️ 23 August 2018
⏱️ 74 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
“You only have a fallback plan if you plan to fall back.” —Jeni Novak
When I was 12 years old, my cool older cousin was dating the coolest girl I'd ever met. She wore high heels, she was a dancer, and she would always do my hair and makeup when I saw her. That girl — woman — is Jeni Novak. We called her "Little Jen," because she was teeny tiny, but today, Little Jen has gotten up to some big things: She went on to become a professional dancer, eventually dancing for Miley Cyrus and becoming not just her go-to dancer, but also one of her closest friends. (Jealous.) Jeni met her now-husband while dancing for Miley (my cousin went on to marry the other coolest girl I've ever met), so if you're a Miley Cyrus fan (I am!), there are lots of fun Miley stories in this episode. Today, Jeni is a hair and makeup artist in Hollywood. She and her husband started their own creative agency and production company, Novak Entertainment, and their clients include Lululemon, Tone It Up, Reebok, and more. Jen has so many inspiring stories to share, so if you're looking for someone to help whip you into shape and up your hustle game, you'll get it in this episode.
Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $55 off your wireless headphone bundle!
What you’ll get on this episode:
- Jeni recalls her early days as an aspiring professional dancer, and how she made her dance dreams come true — including the fateful way she ended up moving to Los Angeles for good (4:10)
- How Jeni has built her confidence, and whether she’s ever felt insecure in this industry (22:30)
- How Jeni ended up dancing for — and becoming close friends with — Miley Cyrus (25:15)
- How and why Jeni decided to start a production company (36:30)
- The big job Jeni was preparing for when we recorded this episode (48:40)
- How Jeni made her way into the health and wellness space (1:00:10)
What we mention on this episode:
Miley Cyrus performing Melancholy Hill
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This episode of The Alley on the Run Show is brought to you by Aftershocks. |
| 0:08.4 | Welcome to The Alley on the Run Show. I'm your host, Allie Feller, and I am thrilled to welcome |
| 0:13.5 | my friend Jenny Novak to the show. To me, Jenny Novak will forever be a little gen, |
| 0:19.7 | because that's what my whole family called her when we first met many decades ago. |
| 0:24.7 | At the time, Jen was dating my older cousin, and I was obsessed with her. |
| 0:29.5 | She was a few years older than I was. She wore high heels, she was a dancer, |
| 0:33.5 | and she would always do my hair and makeup whenever we got to hang out. |
| 0:37.3 | Now, a decent amount of time has passed, but Jen is still the same super cool woman I remember. |
| 0:43.2 | Okay, maybe even cooler, considering she went on to become a professional dancer, |
| 0:47.6 | turned hair and makeup artist in Hollywood. And the day after we recorded this episode, |
| 0:52.0 | she was doing a two-day shoot with Justin Timberlake. |
| 0:55.2 | For many years, Jen was Miley Cyrus' right-hand woman. She danced with Miley for many years, |
| 1:00.7 | and yes, she is in the Hannah Montana movie. Miley was even a bride's maid in Jen's wedding. |
| 1:06.4 | Not that I'm jealous or anything. Today, Jen and her husband Ryan run a full-service |
| 1:11.2 | entertainment company in LA, and their clients include Lula Lemon, Toned Up, and, like I said, |
| 1:17.3 | Justin Timberlake. Now enough gushing, this episode is filled with confidence, |
| 1:21.9 | feucing stories, and advice, and I know you're going to love it. So please go in me in welcoming |
| 1:26.7 | Jenny Novak. |
| 1:32.7 | All right, Jenny Novak, welcome to the Allie on the Run Show. I cannot even tell you how excited I am |
| 1:39.5 | for this conversation. So welcome to the show. Thank you. I'm really excited too. I'm so excited |
| 1:45.5 | to be talking to you right now. All right, so before we get into all of the good stuff, which is coming, |
| 1:49.9 | give everyone an introduction. Warm us up. Tell us who you are, where you're from, and what it is |
... |
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