We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Desiree Jordan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Desiree below.
Desiree, appreciate you joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
As a child, my biggest dream was to “sing for people.”
By the time I finished college, I realized that “it takes money to make money,” meaning… I would need to work for someone else (to pay my bills) WHILE I pursued my creative work in my free time (singing, writing music, and performing), UNTIL I made it to the ‘sweet spot.’
In mid-2019, inspired by the transition of my grandfather, I made a plan to quit my corporate job by the end of 2019, to ‘Live My Best Live’, (intending on) going full-throttle with my music career.
As we all remember, by March of 2020, ALL of our plans were halted/rearranged. I quickly pivoted to becoming a “tree girl,” as an employee of an independent arborist (specialist in the care and maintenance of trees) AND I launched my handmade gemstone jewelry brand, “Our Voyage Of Wellness (OurVOW)”… IN 2020! In summer 2021, as the world shifted and the pandemic “ended,” I fully jumped into being an independent contractor as a Virtual Voice (singing) Coach and a full-time Entertainer, contracted through booking agencies and organizations to perform in casinos, weddings, hotels, libraries, retirement homes, hospitals, corporate and other private events.
By 2022/23, I remember reflecting – out loud – that I had made my childhood dreams come true! I was (finally!) fully supporting myself through ALL of my artforms.
Now it’s 2025, and I have since expanded in business by teaming up with my Dad as proprietors of an online Toys & Crafts shop called “ChuckyDeezToys” (via Etsy), selling my custom handmade jewelry OurVOW online (via Etsy) AND at vendor crafts fairs alongside my sister’s art & accessories business “Kamabi Collections”; and last but certainly not least, most recently creating and launching “Vulgarik,” an art & apparel brand with my husband!
I am in complete shock and awe at what I’ve been able to do in my life… it’s now 2025 and I’m under 40, fully independent and thriving as a self-employed creative. I believe and KNOW that it is possible to earn a full-time living from one’s own creative work, and I am a huge advocate for creatives to dive deep into their hearts to find the truth of their current reality, to illuminate the path in their imagination, and keep taking one step at a time toward their goals and dreams….
IT CAN AND WILL HAPPEN for you, in perfect timing! Like the song says, “Don’t Stop… Believing!!”
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?
I am Desiree Jordan! And I’m a multi-passionate Recording and Performing Artist from the DMV on a quest to #KeepGoodMusicAlive! My mission is to be a beacon to inspire the world to live fully in the love, positivity, and creativity they innately possess.
I got into music and performance as a child, having the support and encouragement of my family, church family, and friends. I grew up singing in church, school, and professional community choirs. I co-formed an indie girl-group in middle-school and high school. I was invited to perform in my hometown (Silver Spring, MD) and the surrounding DMV-area; I got into writing song hooks and verses for fellow recording artists, and I’ve also written, produced, recorded and released original music – available everywhere digital music exists!
As of today, I am a self-employed Creative-For-Hire; performing at casinos, historic hotels, local libraries and retirement homes, private events, weddings, and also a Healthcare Artist in Residence with the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts (Washington, DC), bringing therapeutic to the INOVA (VA), MedStar (DMV), and Walter Reed (DMV) Healthcare networks.
In my later 20s, I realized I had developed an interest in wellness — essential oils, clean eating, and incorporation of the energetic properties of gemstones into my daily life. I also discovered a knack for wire-wrapping precious gemstones, and started out by creating gemstone necklaces and giving them as gifts to loved ones. I felt my passion growing and I saw a market/niche, so I decided to dive deeper into what I could create with my hands, which now includes handcrafted wire-wrapped gemstone necklaces and earrings, and hand-woven gemstone bracelets and headpiece accessories!
I’m also in business with my Dad, co-proprietors of an online Toys & Crafts shop; and in business with my husband, co-designing for his art & apparel brand.
I am most proud of being able to live an authentic, fun, purpose-led life, and I am beyond grateful to partner with awesome people, and be hired by awesome people to bring ‘good vibes’ to every room I’m invited to.
I want my colleagues, my clients, and my support system to know that I’m going to ‘bring it!’ in every way possible, to everything I do. Whether I’m singing and entertaining small or huge crowds, or if I’m hand-crafting a custom requested jewelry design, or fulfilling online orders of super unique toys, or creating new art and apparel, I’m going to do my best and give it my all, with a smile on my face and love in my heart.
Stay informed at www.DesireeJordan.com, and connect with me on all social media @IAmDesireeJordan!
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I’m honored to say I have a 100% organically-homegrown audience on social media!
Through my journey in music and as a vendor at crafts fairs, I have met so many wonderful people who support and follow me on FaceBook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and SoundCloud.
My advice for newby’s to the social media community is to keep doing your thing, and promote yourself any time you have an opportunity. It used to be very hard for me to perform and then “ask” people to follow me on the social medias, but I realized over time that social media is simply a tool to stay connected with everyone! I get to share my performance flyers, upcoming vendor table dates, new art and music releases, pictures of jewelry I’ve made, all through these platforms!
Social media is sometimes pretty daunting for me, as it can feel like a ‘pressure to keep up’, but it is worth stating that you are ONLY in competition WITH YOURSELF! You’re art/work is coming out right on time, in perfect timing, so long as you create and release it. The world will be so grateful when they get to enjoy your work!
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
If you love the arts, PLEASE SUPPORT ARTISTS and CREATIVES!!!
Every concert ticket you purchase, every merch item you purchase, every song you buy directly from an artists’ website and even every time you stream their song…
Every crafts fair you visit and product you purchase…
Every independent online store you shop with.. every time you choose an independently-owned business over the “big brands,” you are directly supporting a thriving creative ecosystem.
Please keep doing what you’re doing, y’all! We artists appreciate you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.DesireeJordan.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/IAmDesireeJordan
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IAmDesireeJordan/
- Linkedin: https://www.tiktok.com/@Iamdesireejordan
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/IAmDesireeJordan
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/iamdesireejordan
Image Credits
Performance photograph shot by Nick Moreland.