We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Don Jayy a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Don, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.
My mother has taught me, practice makes perfect and to never give up. This has helped me so much in my career as you go through so many errors along the way. Thank God for blessing me with renewal each day to make something better. That always translates through my mind & work.
Don, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I have been a dedicated designer and stylist for the past four years. Over the last year, I successfully entered the fashion industry, making my mark as both a designer and stylist. Notably, I had the privilege of designing for Grammy Award-winning artist Coco Jones, which significantly shifted my career trajectory. Since then, I have had the opportunity to work with several celebrity clients on their styling and design needs, drawing from my experience in personal branding to attract a diverse clientele.
I offer a variety of services, including custom designs and wardrobe styling. Additionally, I provide content creation services, driven by my passion for image architecture and ensuring that my clients’ content aligns seamlessly with the beauty of my work. I also created a Jewelry Line where I hand craft all unique pieces that will create a special statement to your style and outfit.
I believe what sets me apart from many designers and stylists is my ability to create a diverse range of styles that evoke a sense of wonder. I like to think of my work as a wonderland—one day it may be chic, the next day it might embrace a rockstar aesthetic, and on another day, it could be truly out of this world.
I take great pride in my capacity to multitask across the various facets of entrepreneurship while approaching my work with passion. This dedication not only inspires others but also reflects my commitment to excellence.
I want potential clients, followers, and fans to understand that working with me means you will not feel ordinary, duplicated, or limited. With my creative vision, I believe you will experience a wonderland beyond your expectations.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One important lesson I learned is that not everyone shares my mindset, heart, soul, or values. This realization helped me understand that I should not assume that others will reciprocate what I bring to the table in any business setting. You can be the best player on a team or the most effective coach, but ultimately, you can’t always be certain of who you will be collaborating with. It’s essential to read the room.
I had to unlearn certain assumptions after engaging with individuals who did not have my best interests at heart. Many were not working toward the same goals I believed we shared, revealing aspects of their character that I had not previously recognized.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
It’s so crazy to reflect on my journey with social media, as I’ve been part of it since its inception. Throughout my life, I have always strived to show up as my authentic self. However, growing up, it was challenging to navigate the reactions of those around me. Friends I thought I could trust would mock the content I posted, while others would express jealousy, asking, “Who does he think he is?” There were also many people who simply did not appreciate what I created.
Having been on social media for over a decade, I began to take it seriously when I launched my business four years ago. At that time, I lacked the funds for professional photoshoots and didn’t yet have a strong network of models or the resources necessary to bring my vision to life while I was in college. It was during this period that I decided to embody my vision. Personal branding became crucial, and I realized that simply showing up as myself was enough. I didn’t need to reach out to anyone or do anything beyond being authentic.
As I grew older and developed greater confidence and self-love, I found it increasingly natural to disregard others’ opinions. The moment I truly embraced this mindset was when my social media presence began to shift, resulting in a significant increase in followers across all platforms. Those followers transformed into real-life supporters. I am who I am because I am who I am, read that again.
The key to building a social media presence is simply to be yourself. People will either love or hate what you share, but staying true to who you are is essential. Authenticity is what will ultimately lead you to where you want to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://donjayy.com
- Instagram: donjayy
- Facebook: Don Jayy
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/donharved
- Twitter: _donjayy
- Youtube: _donjayy
- Other: TikTok _donjayy
