We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jacqueline Journey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jacqueline thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I know it sounds crazy, but even the “experts” like dermatologists don’t always know what’s best for your skin. Working on camera, I’ve always been really choosy about what products I used. I spent thousands of dollars on the “best” skincare money could buy. I also used a daily prescription to fight my rosacea and finally thought I had my skin all figured out. Then one day – boom – I was diagnosed with cancer. Thank God, I caught mine really early, but as a result, because of this scary diagnosis and all we’d just been through with my husband who had survived stage four cancer only a couple of years earlier, I started questioning everything we put on our bodies.

I was horrified to find out my prescription rosacea cream had been given the FDA’s strongest black box warning because it had the potential to cause cancer with repeated use! This was something I was applying to my face every single day, as prescribed by my dermatologist…at a cancer screening! I thought, if my doctor would prescribe this to me after a cancer diagnosis, what is in my over-the counter-skincare!?!

That’s when my deep dive into skincare to discover a safe solution that actually worked began. It took five plus years of research, study, and long hours, but now I’ve created this truly amazing skin elixir called Youth Potion N°9. You apply it to clean, dry skin, morning and night. It’s a unique Essence + Serum combo, so two products in one. Saves you time & money. It blends advanced hydrating hyaluronic acids to penetrate deeper levels of the skin, argan & jojoba oils to moisturize and lock in hydration, plus an incredible protector, blue sea kale extract.

It also blends plant antioxidants & more to help fight the signs of aging, smooth the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles, promote the appearance of firmness, elasticity & tone & fight the effects of environmental stressors, which is super important. Youth Potion N°9’s bi-phase formula adapts to your skin’s vital hydration needs to help deliver smoother, more luminous, youthful looking skin. It’s also got this subtle, but intoxicating scent. Not only that, it’s vegan, cruelty free, paraben free, phthalate free & synthetic fragrance free. Youth Potion N°9’s non-irritating, hypoallergenic formula is made for all skin types.

The best part is I know it works…because I use it, every single day. And my results aren’t skewed by botox, fillers and face-lifts. I’ve just turned 52 and I’ve never, not once, had any of those things. When I first set out years ago to create Youth Potion N°9, I made a decision not to use any of the needles and knives on my face so I could truly see, and show, the unbiased, totally authentic results of using Youth Potion N°9.

I absolutely love it! My skin looks amazing and even my rosacea has gone away. Our customers love it to… in fact most of our sales are from repeat customers. This brings me the most joy and satisfaction. Knowing that I can help other people like me who have struggled with skin issues. I wanted something truly clean, multi-purposed, and specifically made for us GenX’ers and beyond. We have unique needs that have largely been ignored in the skincare industry-until now. I love being able to amplify and simplify your skincare routine at the same time.

Jacqueline, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

It’s hard for me to believe, but I first got my start in television when was only 17, more than 30 years ago. Now, I am the proud author of “The Diva’s in the Details: The Celebrity & CEO Inspired Guide to Confidence, Courage & Style,” I am an award-winning filmmaker and television producer who has created thousands of hours of original programming seen in all corners of the globe. Many of these were award-winning live concerts, documentaries, series, and interviews featuring Oscar winners, Grammy winners, legends, and celebrities including Matthew McConaughey, Dennis Quaid, Willie Nelson, Billy Bob Thornton, Juliette Lewis and Taylor Swift. It has been truly amazing, and I have been truly blessed.

I have worked with three 24 hour music and entertainment networks: Hit Video USA (bought out by Viacom International), TMZ, The Music Zone (a partnership with TCI/Liberty) and M*E Television (a partnership with Time Warner) where I was Vice President and Executive Producer. I moved back to South Florida several years ago to pursue a couple of dreams that had fallen by the wayside. The principles and tactics I used to go after and achieve them, helped inspire my book. I am honored to be a part of our wonderful community as a member of the Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission Board of Directors and currently host a lifestyle & luxury national TV series for one of the Discovery channels, Destination America, that features some of the most extraordinary people, places, businesses and events right here. We are currently in pre-production for Season 4! (For anyone who wants see previous episodes, they are available on demand at: thepalmbeaches.tv )

I have been so fortunate to work behind and in front of the camera. It gives you a different perspective and I think helped tremendously in my career. I loved portraying Karen Stark on NBC’s Friday Night Lights, and appearing in independent films, hosting numerous popular entertainment series, some of which were internationally syndicated. After moving back to Florida, I wrote, directed and starred in the feature film Hidden Assets which screened in Cannes, was awarded BEST FILM at Florida Supercon and was awarded a Leading Actress Award for my role in the film.

All of this invaluable experience, a cancer diagnosis and a desire to change the beauty industry and how the world sees “aging” led me to create JAQ JOURNEY, Palm Beach Skin Elixirs…and my first product, Youth Potion N°9. This elixir is an awesome essence + serum all-in-one that is botanically based and performance driven. It also taught me never to give up and how much fulfillment you can get from helping others.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I remember when my husband sat me down to tell me he had stage four head and neck cancer. In some ways it still feels like yesterday. The shock, pain, confusion. In an instant our whole lives changed. Within 24 hours, one of the doctors was telling me to prepare for the worst…that he would die or at least have to have his jaw removed. Thank God, they were wrong. I’m not sure how we made it through, but we did. He was so strong through it all. He was unable to eat normally for about a year because of of all the damage from the daily radiation. We did overnight stays at the hospital for his chemo. I took care of him 24/7. Nothing else mattered. Times like these show you how strong you are and can be. We all have it in us. We are all so much more capable than we think.

Miraculously, he survived. Not long after, we began to get back to “normal” and started building our lives back (a necessity after a year of not being able to work) and as soon as we started to make some headway, I was diagnosed with cancer. We were floored, petrified, we couldn’t believe it. After some additional tests, the doctors happily reported we caught it very early and I would be ok, but it could have been much worse. I actually had gone to three different doctors before finding one that would believe there was something wrong and ordered some tests. I was told that if I had gotten the diagnosis even six months later, it could have been devastating. Proof to me that you have to trust your instincts and fight for what you believe.

We all have trials and tribulations. We all face adversity, fear, and the unknown. I was fortunate to have someone to care for me and to care for. We both appreciate so much all that we have, and have accomplished. We show our resilience by trying to create something good, give back to others and share what we have learned. This makes it all worthwhile.

Out of this experience, I wrote a book and love public speaking to help others find their own confidence, courage and style. I also recently launched a clean, vegan skincare elixir, Youth Potion N°9 (inspired by my deep dive into skincare after one of my doctors prescribed me a skin cream at my cancer screening that had been given the FDA’s black box warning- because it had the potential to cause cancer!) My husband pursued his career in real estate with more passion than ever and helps many realtors who are just starting out or who want to improve their business and build long-term success.

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

Throughout our lives, we are told to follow the rules. This is true in most areas like treating others with respect, being kind, honest, and loyal. Not hurting other people is non-negotiable, of course. But, there are some “rules” when it comes to business, relationships and building your future that need to sometimes be overlooked. I believe that we mustn’t always just do as we’re told, let others take advantage and succeed at any cost. You have to follow your instincts and trust your gut. It is there for a reason.

I was put in a situation long ago, where someone in a position of power to truly change my life and help me achieve all of my dreams, greatly took advantage of that power. I was young and confused. I was unsure of what to do and felt as though my whole life hung in the balance. That I had to just go along if I wanted to get where I desperately wanted to go. It took all the strength I had to follow my gut and just walk away. I walked away from an enormous opportunity and at the time, part of me felt like I was an idiot for doing so. But, fortunately, the larger part of me knew I was doing the right thing.

Many years later, I am so grateful to my past self for finding the courage to follow my heart and my instincts, for not doing what was easy, but doing what was right. My life took a whole new and even better path after that. It wasn’t quick or easy, but I have tremendous self- respect and have never been sorry for the choice I made.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.JaqJourney.com www.JacquelineJourney.com
• Instagram: @jaqjourneyofficial
• Facebook: @jaqjourney
• Twitter: @jaqjourney
• Youtube: JAQ JOURNEY
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