Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bri Jolie. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Bri, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you think folks should manage their own social media or hire a professional? What do you do?

Social Media is the driving force behind a lot of individuals, brands and businesses alike. I personally manage my own social media because I want to stay as true to my brand as possible. Yes, it is important to have “aesthetically” pleasing content and professional, visually captivating material…but it is also important to give viewers and consumers something they can relate to. My social media presence has allowed me a lot of opportunity and it’s still a genuine way to connect with supporters all around the world, when it’s used correctly. I think its important to find your niche and what sets you apart from the other millions of people who use social media. whether it’s video content, short or long form content, creative photos etc…find what sticks and capitalize off of that.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

BriJolie was something that birthed from a lifetime of devoting myself to the arts. My late mother saw something in me from an early age and nurtured that gift in whatever way she could. I am eternally grateful for her guidance. I am a Texas native, where I performed in a touring musical theater company from the age of 6 throughout college as well as several arts programs in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I also grew up training in dance under the direction of Debbie Allen which supported my dream of living in Los Angeles. In college, I was a member of The Vesper Choir at The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff which furthered my development in music and vocal performance. I also was a radio personality in college at Power 92 Jamz in Little Rock Arkansas where I got the name “BriJolie” from my intern coordinator. After years of various training and experience, I started primarily focusing on singing. Upon graduating from college, I packed my bags and moved to Los Angeles. Of course, like any individual with a degree, I wanted to work in my degree field which was Mass Communications/Broadcast Journalism, but the opportunities never aligned fully. I spent a few years working freelance jobs and corporate jobs to fund myself, but I was so ready to be happy again. After losing my mother in 2018, I wanted to live my dreams to the fullest. At the time, I had been working as a seasonal singer at Disneyland which allowed me to get my foot in the door then shortly after I got a call to join Kanye Sunday Service. That three year job opened up so many doors for me as a vocalist. I have been able to travel the world doing what I love. I’ve also been able to support artists such as Beyoncè, Snoh Aalegra, IDK, Maeta, SZA and more. Though I love doing BGV work, I equally enjoy doing my own individual artist work. I released an EP titled “From Me to Me” in 2020 which put me on the iTunes Top 50 and gained me a whole band of supporters. I am also a “visual queen” and have funded my own music videos for the past few years which has gained attention from the video giant, Missy Elliott. I think that my artistry has led me to grow a deeper understanding of myself which is most important to me.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is being able to use my gift in various capacities. My gift belongs to God and I’m just a vessel contributing what was given to me. I am able to express myself, communicate my thoughts and emotions and ideas through the music. I get to share my unique perspective with the world and connect with others on a meaningful level.. Creating something from scratch and seeing it come to life is incredibly fulfilling and just gives you the ultimate feeling of accomplishment and pride. Lastly, art and creativity have the power to inspire others which is rewarding knowing that your work can evoke emotions and make an impact on someone’s life.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Non Creatives think this life is just all about glitz, glam and working for the big artists. They don’t see the moments we doubt ourselves. They don’t see us staring at our phones for emails and calls about the next gig. They don’t see us waiting months for a check from a gig we have already done. I think people who are on the outside should always assume that we have “real jobs” too and not look at us as differently. I also think there needs to be more grace extended to those who may take a little longer to release music or projects…because it’s not a fast paced process especially when you’re indie. Some artists have a whole team backing them that allows them to move at a different pace but us Indie artists have to where many hats just to get noticed and put out the next thing. Ultimately, we all can stand to extend grace to the next person because you never know what they might be experiencing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrijolieshow/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgQouZwjjf5rSPqnXjWmdaA