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

Jailyn, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear from you about what you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry and why it matters.

In my opinion, one of the main things that Corporate America gets wrong in our industry is not providing enough space for the new generation to express their creativity. Many of us find it challenging to enter the corporate world because we don’t want to be confined to a box. We have an abundance of skills and ideas that can only be fully expressed outside of a traditional corporate office setting.

That’s why building JT Headquarters and providing job opportunities is crucial to me. I want to offer my generation and the next the chance to work in an environment that allows them to be their authentic selves. For example, we have recently started hiring talent managers to assist our influencers. These managers undergo rigorous training to enhance their skills, but they have the flexibility to work from home. Unlike corporate America, they are encouraged to have a social media presence and live their lives authentically.

This issue became even more evident when one of our newest influencers expressed her desire to pursue her career as an influencer, but was concerned about rubbing her bosses the wrong way in a corporate setting. It is disheartening to see how Corporate America is often afraid of the creativity and self-expression that influencers bring, rather than focusing on the quality of their work or the value they can provide.

These stories highlight the importance of creating spaces that embrace and celebrate creativity. By allowing individuals to express themselves fully, we can unlock their true potential and foster an environment where innovative ideas thrive. It is my belief that by breaking free from the constraints of traditional corporate structures, we can unleash a new wave of creativity and pave the way for a more inclusive and dynamic industry.

Jailyn, 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?

Certainly! My name is Jailyn, also known as Jailyn Tamia. I am a passionate entrepreneur and the founder of JT Headquarters, an influencer and social media marketing agency. Born and raised in Baton Rouge, I am the second oldest of four and currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration while being self-employed since August of 2020.

At JT Headquarters, we specialize in empowering influencers and brands by creating authentic connections and delivering remarkable results. Our team of innovative experts is dedicated to providing personalized guidance, strategic services, and a wealth of knowledge to help entrepreneurs achieve rapid and efficient growth.

What sets us apart is our commitment to nurturing creativity and individuality. We understand that corporate brands and companies often lack spaces for the new generation to express their creativity, which is why we strive to build an environment where individuals can be their authentic selves and flourish without being confined to a corporate box.

Our range of comprehensive solutions includes influencer management services, helping influencers navigate the complex world of social media and maximize their potential. Additionally, we offer webinars and ebooks designed to empower aspiring influencers with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed.

I am particularly proud of our recent accomplishment, The Game Plan Summit, which was designed for aspiring and current entrepreneurs and business owners. Within just two weeks, we successfully filled 120 seats, awarded a $1,000 business grant, and received recognition from local media outlets. Another significant achievement was my first paid speaking engagement at the inaugural Amazon Creator Summit in Los Angeles.

At JT Headquarters, we genuinely care about the success and growth of our clients. We prioritize embracing creativity and individuality, providing the necessary resources and guidance to help our clients thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

My ultimate goal is to inspire others by showing that it is possible to follow your dreams, achieve financial stability, and pursue education simultaneously. I firmly believe that success knows no limits and opportunities are endless. Hard work, sacrifices, and maintaining a strong relationship with God are key components of my journey.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about me and JT Headquarters. I look forward to connecting with potential clients, followers, and fans who share our vision of embracing creativity, breaking barriers, and achieving success on our own terms.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Yes, my side hustle eventually turned into my main/full-time business and career. It’s been quite a journey from the humble beginnings to where I stand today as a thriving young, black businesswoman.

It all started back in January 2020 when I secured a job at a preschool with the goal of funding my first place and beauty brand. During my time at the preschool, an unexpected but exciting turn of events occurred. I went viral on Twitter, which brought a surge of attention to my beauty products and accessories sold on my website. The increased demand and recognition propelled my business forward. In fact, while working at the job, I would use gift cards gifted from parents to supply my business, doing whatever I could to make my business work while keeping my day job. After going viral, I would wake up at 5AM to pack orders and be out of the door at 7AM for work. I would get off around 3:30PM and work on my business until 12:00AM the next morning and do it all over again the next day.

Despite the excitement surrounding my business, I faced a setback when I lost my job at the preschool in August 2020. This served as a pivotal moment that compelled me to take my business and social media more seriously. I decided to amplify my efforts and focused on creating compelling content and monetizing my social media presence.

In June 2021, I began to witness my dedication and hard work paid off when I was accepted into the Amazon Influencer program. Since then, God began opening so many doors to collaborations and brand deals that further elevated my brand’s visibility and reach. However, amidst this peak, tragedy struck as I lost my best friend in an accident. This heartbreaking event, coupled with other hardships, posed emotional challenges for me. Nevertheless, I remained resilient and determined to overcome adversity. The accident occurred in July 2021, the same month as my birthday, and the same day of my nieces birth, July 24th. 2021. It was incredibly difficult to deal with.

Entering 2022, I embarked on a fresh chapter. I finally had my new apartment, returned to college to pursue a Business Administration degree, and assembled a full-service administrative team to support my growing business. I also had the opportunity to participate in brand trips, expanding my network and exposure.

Throughout this journey, there have been numerous key milestones that have contributed to the growth and success of my business. Each step forward, despite the ups and downs, has played a crucial role in scaling up my side-hustle into a flourishing full-time business and career.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that I could achieve my peak of success all on my own. In the early stages of my career, I took pride in doing everything myself – from makeup and hair to editing and responding to emails. I thought I was unstoppable as a one-woman show. However, as my business started to grow and the demands became overwhelming, I realized that I needed to let go of this mindset.

The backstory behind this realization was when I made the decision to hire a team to support me. At first, it was a bit challenging to delegate tasks and trust others with certain responsibilities. I had to overcome the fear of losing control and the misconception that I could handle everything better on my own. But once I let go and embraced the concept of teamwork, my career soared through the roof.

I quickly realized the power of collaboration and how having a team could bring new perspectives, expertise, and efficiency to my business. With the help of my team, I was able to focus on my core strengths, expand my reach, and provide even better services to my clients. It was a humbling experience that taught me the importance of leveraging the collective talents and skills of a team.

Now, I love the phrase “we go further together” because it holds true in every aspect of my journey. I no longer see asking for help or seeking support as a weakness, but rather as a strength that propels me towards greater success. Unlearning the idea of having to do it all alone has been a transformative lesson that has reshaped my perspective and allowed me to achieve heights I could have never reached on my own.

Contact Info:

• Website: jtheadquarters.co
• Instagram: instagram.com/jailyntr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jailyn.rowe
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jailyn-tamia-rowe-1a057821a/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jailyntamia
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jailyntrowe