Heels hero | Jesseca Cutter
"Lead with curiosity, honor your own pace, and prioritize what truly matters to you."
We’re excited to spotlight Jesseca Cutter of Food For Thought Chicago as this week’s Heels Hero!
What began as a college internship blossomed into a fulfilling career in the service industry—an environment where Jesseca’s natural energy and adaptability thrive. Today, she’s leading exciting projects and building lasting relationships, all while staying grounded in her passions (and snacks, lots of snacks!).
We had the joy of stepping "In Her Heels" to learn more about her journey, her wisdom, and what keeps her inspired.
How did you enter into your industry?
I was a summer intern with Food For Thought in college, and they offered me a position after graduation.
Did you always know you wanted to have this career?
I worked many jobs in the service industry growing up. The pace and dynamic quality fits well with my personality so it was a natural direction as I started exploring careers.
If you could tell yourself one thing when you first started your career, what would it be?
When learning something new, it's easiest to do exactly as you're trained, but don't be afraid to figure out what works best for you. If the result is the same and you're much happier during the process, the effort is absolutely worth it.
How do you manage imposter syndrome?
I remind myself of my accomplishments, big and small; successful past events, client calls I felt great walking out of, etc. It's easy to quickly move past a win and dive straight into the next project, so when I'm experiencing imposter syndrome, I take a step back and look at examples where I've shown that I can do this.
If you could go back and tell your teenage self advice, what would it be?
Don't be afraid to ask questions about anything and everything, but more importantly, if you aren't receiving help or a positive response to questions, see if there's someone else you can seek guidance from. Expanding your knowledge should always be championed!
Where are we likely to find you on the weekends or when you aren't working?
You'll find me knitting, surrounded by my dog, two cats, numerous beverages, and plenty of snacks!
Name 3 things you cannot live without.
Aquaphor, my Traveler's Notebook and my Kindle.
What are you currently listening to? Podcast? Favorite song that motivates you?
My favorite podcasts are Not For Everyone and Tangle. My favorite song for the summer is "People Ain't Dancing" by Billen Ted and Kah-Lo.
How do you get yourself out of a funk when you are having an off day?
I try to break myself out of the daily routine. I’ll figure out what absolutely must get done that day, and spend the rest of the time asking myself, what do I really want to do right now? I spend a lot of time compromising what I want to do with what I must do, and prioritizing myself doesn't happen naturally, so when I’m feeling in a funk I push myself to disconnect and do something solely for myself.
What would surprise us about yourself?
I have an affinity for cars. My Dad has raced at an amateur level my entire life, so I have a lot of experience working on cars and love being at race tracks.
What is the best advice you have received?
To trust yourself and have confidence in the work you've put into something.
What are some career highlights and biggest career accomplishments?
The relationships I've built are the biggest highlights and accomplishments. Being able to work with people I enjoy and watch a relationship grow is incredibly rewarding.
What is something you are excited to be working on?
I'm creating a program for one of my favorite clients to expand their office meal offerings to fit their newly renovated space. I've worked with their team for over a year now, and the ideas they dreamed of at the beginning of our relationship are now becoming a reality, which is fun to be a part of.
Contact information: Where can members connect with you?
Email: jcutter@fftchicago.com
LinkedIn: Jesseca-Cutter