Jean Bruns earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Mizzou and began working as consumer relations manager for an international firm in Columbia. She joined the University of Missouri (MU) staff in 1984, employed at the MU Counseling Center and later, moving to the Department of Psychology working on cancer education grants through the Missouri Department of Health. She shifted to MU Extension in 1991 as a grants/operations manager with the Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC) state office. She fulfilled a variety of positions and responsibilities during her 26 years working with MU Extension's Business Development Program. In 1995, Jean launched the SBDC's first website.