We recently connected with Jasmine Echols and have shared our conversation below.
Jasmine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was resigning from my retail job. Months prior, I had taken on a part-time role that I really enjoyed, but sometimes the hours clashed. At the same time, I was shifting my focus toward growing my business and dedicating more time to my writing.
Letting go of the stability of a guaranteed paycheck wasn’t easy—I definitely could have used the income. But I knew deep down that it was time to take the leap, even though I didn’t have everything “set in place.”
The moment I made the decision to resign, things started shifting in my favor. One of my clients gave me a significant pay increase—more than doubling what I was making at the store. On top of that, unexpected income opportunities started flowing in—babysitting, dog sitting, and quick projects that paid really well.
Stepping away from retail also gave me something I didn’t realize I was craving: freedom. Retail meant working on holidays, missing out on quality time with family and friends, and dealing with unpredictable hours. Leaving that behind allowed me to travel more, be present with the people I love, and fully embrace the creative path I was meant to walk.
Now, I’m in the process of releasing my first book, along with a few mini-books and possibly some children’s books—something I’ve dreamed of for a long time. I’m still working the part-time job I took on back then, and over time, my hours have increased significantly, covering my financial needs in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Babysitting and dog sitting have also continued to be steady sources of income, and beyond that, I’ve recently found myself dabbling in web design again. It’s a full-circle moment, considering web design was the foundation of my journey into graphic design and social media management.
Looking back, what once felt like a risky, uncertain step was actually a necessary leap of faith—one that opened doors I never would have walked through had I stayed where I was.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My journey into design, content creation, and social media management all started with a simple desire—I wanted to design my own website. In high school, I took a course that introduced me to graphic design in the first half of the semester and web design in the second. I was instantly hooked. That class sparked a deep curiosity, leading me to explore everything from graphic and web design to coding. For a while, HTML and CSS were my best friends. I even found myself coding and designing MySpace templates—first for myself, then for friends.
I went on to earn an Associate of the Arts degree, followed by a Bachelor’s in Business Entrepreneurship. I always knew I wanted to run a business someday, even if I wasn’t entirely sure what it would look like at the time. During my early college years, my graphic design skills started catching the attention of leadership at my former church. That led to a volunteer role on their social media team, where I served for a few years before being officially hired to manage social media, graphic design, and web content for the ministry. It was such a sweet full-circle moment—one that showed me how my skills could genuinely make an impact.
In the beginning, I was a self-taught learner, relying on YouTube and hands-on experience rather than formal classes. I’ve since realized that I learn best by diving in—getting hands-on and figuring things out in real time. That approach has shaped my career in ways I never expected.
Today, I help clients in a variety of ways—whether it’s crafting graphics, editing reels, writing captions, or brainstorming content strategies. It’s funny because I’ve worked with such a diverse range of clients—creatives, musicians, authors, and ministries—each with unique goals and content needs. No two projects are the same, which has definitely kept me on my toes! More recently, I’ve also been tapped to assist with web content management and creating landing pages, which feels like a beautiful nod to how it all started for me back in high school.
What began as a curiosity and creative outlet has evolved into something so much bigger. It’s not just about design or strategy—it’s about helping others bring their vision to life. And beyond that, it has given me the freedom to build a career that allows for flexibility, creativity, and a lifestyle I truly enjoy. It’s not perfect, but it’s rich in the best ways, and for that, I’m extremely grateful.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
At the core of my creative journey is a deep desire to inspire, uplift, and create meaningful connections through storytelling and design. Whether through writing, social media, or web design, my goal has always been to help people communicate their vision in a way that resonates and makes an impact.
Creativity has always been a part of me, but beyond just making things look good, I want my work to carry meaning. I love working with individuals—whether authors, musicians, ministries, or entrepreneurs—who have something valuable to share but may not know how to express it visually or strategically. My mission is to help bring their ideas to life in a way that not only looks polished but also feels true to who they are.
Writing is another huge part of my journey. I believe words have power, and I want my books—whether fiction, poetry, or children’s stories—to inspire, encourage, and spark something deep in those who read them. At the heart of it all, my mission is to create with purpose—whether that’s through storytelling, branding, or simply making something beautiful that speaks to someone in a meaningful way.
More than anything, I want to continue growing in my craft while maintaining the freedom and flexibility to live a full, rich life. Creativity has allowed me to do work that I love while still prioritizing faith, family, and the things that truly matter. If I can keep doing that—while helping others along the way—then I know I’m on the right path.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Resilience, for me, has been about trusting God in the process—even when things don’t make sense or feel uncertain. One of the biggest moments that tested my resilience was when I made the decision to leave my retail job. I didn’t have everything “set in place,” and financially, it felt like a risky move. But deep down, I knew I was meant for something more.
The moment I stepped out in faith, doors started opening. One of my clients unexpectedly gave me a significant pay increase, more than doubling what I had been making at the store. Babysitting and dog-sitting opportunities started flowing in, and I received quick, well-paying projects that I hadn’t even been looking for. What initially seemed like a risk became confirmation that I had made the right decision.
Beyond that, resilience has also shown up in how I’ve navigated my creative journey. I’ve worked with a variety of clients, all with different needs, and I’ve had to adapt and learn in real time. I didn’t take formal design classes in school, but I poured myself into learning—watching tutorials, experimenting, and figuring things out as I went. I’ve learned that I don’t have to have it all figured out—God will lead me, and I’ll learn what I need as I go.
At the end of the day, resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about trusting that when God is leading, even uncertainty can work in your favor. Looking back, every shift, challenge, and leap of faith has brought me closer to the life and career I truly love, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lifeofjazz.me
- Instagram: @thejazznicole
Image Credits
Sara Gillespie
Lauryn Bray (@styledbyryn)
Dara