Matt Szybnski introduced Jim Jackson, former Chaska Rotarian and Co-founder of Connected
Families.
Jim and Lynne Jackson were dissatisfied with the parenting resources available to them as young
parents. Their dissatisfaction extended to their professional lives as well. Jim was working with high
risk teens and Lynne as an occupational therapist working with young kids, and they both saw lots of
problems with widely accepted and conventional teaching about parenting.
So, Jim and Lynne started a journey in their own family and with other parents to discover what it takes to see big changes happen – not so much in managing behavior, but in the quality of relationships that build strong influence with kids’ hearts.
They had a passion to equip parents of young kids. In 2002, Connected Families launched out of Jim and Lynne’s home office. The word spread and soon they were speaking to a hundred audiences each year and it became clear that the ideas they developed had broad application to families of all kinds.
Jim and Lynne have built a business that tries to provide a “secret formula” and “magical to-do-list” that helps parents with practical parenting resources. They have constructed a model framework of parental interactions and communications, and back that up with books, videos, classes, and consulting. Jim noted that many
times parents act with good intentions but are left with more conflict, rather than less. A demonstrated role-play illustrated that point and left several Rotarians with the feeling that maybe they had experienced something like that themselves.
Since they started in 2003 with 50 workshops, a $90K budget, and just a few employees, Jim and Lynne have added staff, engaged with 50,000 subscribers, produced 76 podcasts, and sustained a budget of $900,000. Jim’s recognition of opportunities with the internet and developing non-traditional means of reaching customers needing parenting help has brought them success and
helped hundreds of families.
Contact Connected Families:
10800 Old County Road 15, Suite 100
Plymouth, MN 55441
Phone: 952-448-3625
Philip Solseng announced that the Rotary Fall social will be held on September 26, 2021 at his barn facility and reminded us that the Art Wander program will also occur on Sept. 24, 25, and 26. He encouraged us to visit the artists and then party! To learn about the artists of Carver County and visit their displays: 
