We recently connected with Jordan Gooden and have shared our conversation below.

Jordan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

The name Hired Hotties honestly came to me kind of randomly one day. Like most career girlies, I’d heard the phrase “corporate baddies” before—and when I started getting inspired to post more about my own career journey, I was brainstorming hashtags and hired hotties popped into my head. I threw it in my Notes app with a bunch of other ideas, and didn’t think much of it at the time. That was back in 2023.

Then in January 2025, I decided I really wanted to take my career content seriously and start a podcast. When I went back through my notes, Hired Hotties immediately stood out. It was playful, but it held weight. Because being a hired hottie isn’t just about getting a job—it’s about showing up confidently and defining success on your own terms.

I wanted to change the way we talk about work and careers. A lot of it felt dry, overly polished, or intimidating. I wanted something that felt fun, a little cheeky, but still rooted in real conversations, advice, and growth.

Now it’s grown into a podcast, a brand, and a community—and I think the name is what gets people curious, but the energy and honesty is what keeps them around.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Jordan Gooden—a media professional by day, podcast host and community builder by heart. I work in media sales, but I’ve always been passionate about storytelling that helps people feel seen and supported. I studied Mass Communication with a focus in Advertising and PR, and since then, I’ve worked with major brands—from telecom at TikTok to education at Quizlet—leading digital campaigns that mix cultural relevance with strategy.

Still, I noticed a gap in how we talk about careers—especially for women and BIPOC. So I created Hired Hotties.

What started as a hashtag in my Notes app became a podcast and growing community. Hired Hotties is for the ambitious-but-delulu girlies navigating career highs, pivots, burnout, ghosting—you name it. Through podcast episodes, social content, and soon events, I’m creating space for honest conversations and unfiltered advice.

I’m most proud of the people Hired Hotties has already reached. When someone says, “This is exactly what I needed to hear” or “I don’t feel as behind anymore”—that’s everything. And when the podcast debuted in the Top 50 Career Podcasts on Goodpods in March 2025, it confirmed I was building something people were ready for.

What sets my work apart is the mix of honesty, humor, and intention. I’m not here to give perfect advice—I’m here to be real about the chaos of building a career, finding balance, and owning your voice. Whether you’re listening, sharing, or just lurking—I hope Hired Hotties reminds you you’re not behind, you’re not alone, and you’re absolutely a Hired Hottie.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a creative is taking an idea that started in my notes app and turning it into something that resonates with people. Whether it’s an episode of Hired Hotties or a post that makes someone feel seen, that sense of connection means everything.

I love creating work that reminds people they’re not alone—especially in the career space, where things can feel overwhelming or overly polished. Knowing that something I made can bring clarity, comfort, or even just a laugh makes it all worth it.

And honestly, I really enjoy the process. From voice notes at midnight to obsessing over visuals and messaging, it’s that chaotic joy of building something that’s entirely mine—and constantly evolving.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A big lesson I had to unlearn is that success has to follow a specific path or happen on a strict timeline. Early in my career, I felt pressure to keep everything moving upward—land the perfect job, climb the ladder, avoid missteps. But I’ve learned that real growth isn’t always linear.

There were times when things didn’t go the way I expected. Opportunities shifted, some roles weren’t the right fit, and I hit moments of uncertainty. At first, I saw those moments as setbacks. Now I see them as necessary pauses that helped me figure out what I actually wanted.

That shift in mindset is a huge reason I started Hired Hotties. I wanted to create space for more honest conversations about careers—the kind that acknowledge how messy and unpredictable the journey can be. Letting go of the timeline gave me the freedom to build something meaningful on my own terms.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/hiredhotties
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiredhotties/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hired-hotties/

Image Credits

Kayla Kpanquoi (@thekparchives)