Jenn Wint and WINT Communications

There’s something powerful about building a business rooted not just in strategy - but in connection. For PR Specialist Jenn Wint that connection has been both the catalyst and the through line of her work. 

What began as an unexpected leap out of a corporate role evolved into a thriving communications business built on storytelling, relationships, and a deep commitment to supporting others - especially small business owners finding their voice.

In our latest At the Heart of the Community interview, we sat down with Jenn to talk about how an unplanned career pivot turned into a purpose-driven business (WINT Communications), a growing platform for accessible Public Relations, and a community-first approach that continues to shape her work today.

Can you tell us a little about your journey and how you got started in PR?

I always say I’m an accidental entrepreneur. I was working in a corporate role, and I just felt really uninspired - like I was in a box. There was a restructuring happening, my role was changing, and I knew I didn’t want to move into that next version of it. So I left… without much of a plan.

It was actually a really beautiful time in my life. I gave myself permission to figure out what I really wanted to do. At the time, I was doing some editorial writing - social media content for a couple of businesses - and I decided to take a couple of months off.

During that time, people just started reaching out. They needed help with website copy, social media, and content. Then a friend I knew from UVic, who was working in PR on projects like Grey Cup and Lululemon, asked if I could support because she was so busy.

Suddenly, I was too busy to even think about getting another job - and I was making decent money freelancing.

I did that for a couple of years, and eventually thought, “Okay, maybe I should turn this into something more formal.” I was getting referrals, people were asking for my website - and that’s really how I ended up building what is now WINT Communications.

You’ve built your business around collaboration and partnerships. Why are these so important to you - especially for small businesses?

There are two parts to that.

The first is personal - I’m an extrovert, I love people. And one thing I really struggled with when I started working for myself was how isolating it felt. I’d been working from home since 2013, and I really missed the everyday interactions - chatting in the lunchroom, bouncing ideas around.

So I started trying to create that for myself - working lunches, going for walks, meeting people in person whenever I could. I realized how much I needed community.

The second part is seeing how powerful it actually is. When you connect someone who has a need with someone who can support that need - it’s magic. I love being the matchmaker, bringing people together and watching something grow from that.

Honestly, a lot of my community-building started from a bit of a selfish place - I needed it. But what’s come out of that is this incredible network of people creating amazing things together.

Can you share an example of a partnership that made a real impact?

One that really stands out is something my husband and I started: Irish Families in Vancouver. When our son was little, we realized there wasn’t a lot happening for families in the Irish community, especially around St. Patrick’s Day.

So we started this informal group, hosted a picnic, and it just grew from there.

Through that, I got connected to Rachel Quinn in 2021. She was organizing an online CelticFest during COVID and wanted to incorporate family programming. We started chatting about the community and what families were looking for. And then I asked her, “Who’s doing your PR?”

That conversation led to me working on the event, and it really shifted my role in the Irish community. Since then, we’ve collaborated on so many projects together. It all came from a really genuine place.

Another big one for me is Dress for Success Vancouver. When I left my corporate job, my mom basically said, “If you’re not working, you’re volunteering.” So I started volunteering weekly, doing dressing services, helping women prepare for interviews.

That turned into being on the committee for their Success Luncheon, and eventually into paid work. But beyond that, the number of connections, clients, and opportunities that came from that space - I can’t even count them.

Both of those examples came from just showing up and being part of something.

How do you approach building relationships with clients, partners, and other businesses?

I always tell people, if you want to network or find partners, go do things you actually enjoy.

That’s why something like She Summits x Two Rivers Meats Hike + Happy Hour is such a great example. You’re doing something you love, you’re meeting like-minded people, and the worst-case scenario is you had a great time. Best case? You meet collaborators, clients, or build something amazing together.

The same goes for volunteering. If it feels personal to you, you’re going to show up differently.

Even with networking events, I try to shift the mindset. It’s not always about “What can I get from this?” It’s more like - will I enjoy this? Will I meet interesting people? That’s where the best relationships come from.

What advice would you give other entrepreneurs about nurturing community around their business?

You have to show up and you have to be willing to try different things.

Not every community will feel like the right fit, and that’s okay. You need to explore a few, invest a bit of time and even budget, and see what resonates.

And then when you do find the right people - you have to nurture those relationships.

I used to be a bit shy about that. I’d meet someone I really liked, but then not follow up. Now I’m much more intentional - connecting on LinkedIn, sending a message, suggesting a coffee.

It’s really about showing up and following up.

What’s something you wish more small business owners understood about Public Relations?

That you don’t need to be a big, established company to have a story worth telling.

There’s this myth that PR is only for big brands or companies with celebrity spokespeople, but that’s not true at all. PR can be accessible to anyone if you approach it strategically.

Every business has a story - it’s just about how and where you’re telling it.

And honestly, community plays a huge role in that. Whether you’re a solopreneur or a growing team, you can’t do it alone. You need to be connected - to people, to opportunities, to conversations.

That’s something I’m really excited about with things like my PR Accountability Club. Not just the strategy side, but the connection, the support, the shared momentum.

Because at the end of the day, that’s what really moves things forward.

Learn more about WINT Communications on their website or connect with Jenn on LinkedIn and Instagram.