We recently connected with Jalen Nelson and have shared our conversation below.

Jalen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I have been a full-time Fashion content creator and Marketing Mentor since mid 2020. It’s crazy because I actually pivoted into these niches, before I was a stylist working a 9-5. I was making income with both but it just wasn’t enough to sustain me and where I wanted to go. I wanted to move into my own place, experience a new chapter, travel and do things that I hadn’t done before. I was living pay cheque to pay cheque and wanted to change my life around. I remember in 2020 before I quit my job, there were so many things I was good at. I started making youtube intros and outros for people’s channel and was in shock with how many people purchased or wanted one done. I was able to double my income with just that alone because it was so high in demand. After 3 months of successfully doubling my income, I quit my job and proceeded to go to the next level. I was nervous at this point because I didn’t know what to expect but I trusted God and knew the vision for my life would succeed. I always knew my life was going to be in Fashion and I always knew that I would do it full time, I just didn’t know when. I took a risk and pivoted into content creating late 2020 and my life changed, I did it consistently for 6 months and it was insane from there. Brand deals started to pile up in my emails, I was booked overseas to teach classes, went viral on multiple pages, built a 6 figure brand and the list goes on. I can only truly thank God, it’s been such an incredible experience. I wouldn’t of sped up the process at all because timing is everything, sometimes we rush the process and end up going into a different direction that God didn’t intend us to towards. I’m extremely thankful and love what God has taught me along this journey.

Jalen, 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?

When I started working in retail about 11 years ago, that’s when my love for fashion grew. My love for fashion also grew because of my Dad. He used to educate me on clothing, fabrics, pieces and what to wear to certain events. This made me become interested so I spent a lot of time doing research. When I worked retail I used to love dressing the mannequins and making them look nice, so I applied to be a visual merchandiser which is where you dress the mannequins full for all the seasons in the store and that’s what made me get into styling! I got into styling and that ran it’s course. I styled a lot of huge influencers and even got the chance to style Tyra Banks! I then wanted to get into something where I didn’t have to always show up for my income so I started teaching classes on marketing and building a brand and ended up falling in love with it. I started doing that consistently then go into content creating and that was the icing on the cake for me. Don’t ever be afraid to pivot and go into another direction because that could be the best pivot that will change your life. I think what sets myself a part from others is that i’m not afraid to put others on or help them win. Back then I never had the guidance to get to where I am now and I feel like it’s my calling to help others get to where they want to go and not watch them struggle. I’m also very creative and have an infectious personality which a lot of people gravitate too. I know how to teach my supporters but also have fun and be authentic with them at the same time. I just want people to know that I’m just like them and it doesn’t get any realer than that. I’m proud that I’m able to have a platform where I can share knowledge and be accessible to the people around me. I love my supporters and I love putting them on to different things.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Honesty, I just remembered years ago I started taking pictures on brick walls with my funky outfits. I just wanted to showcase to the world that as a man you can wear different colours and be different. My motive was getting people to feel comfortable in their own skin as we live in a world where we’re constantly judged. I took pictures consistently and before you know it influencers that were huge at the time would repost my pictures and that’s how my following grew. I then got picked up by famous youtubers and became really close with them and you know once their fanbase likes you, they ride with you. I then started going viral and being reposted on huge platforms because of my creative videos. I say this to say, consistency is your best friend. Keep putting out content, keep being creative, keep being YOU. That’s the secret to growing your following, that’s secret to success. Show up for yourself everyday even when you don’t feel like it and watch your following grow.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I think the most rewarding aspect about being a creative is that you get to wake up every single day and do what you love. I never take it for granted and I’m extremely grateful for getting to wake up every day and create content. The fact that brands pay me for my creativity is such a blessing and I really do thank God for this. Another rewarding aspect about being a creative is that I get to share the knowledge with my supporters. It’s so rewarding to give me and help others win, I always said if I had multiple opportunities I would put people on to them because I was never given any when I first started. I want to give people a head start and not struggle! ‘

Contact Info:

• Website: lickmyfashionbrand.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/lickmyfashion
• Facebook: facebook.com/JALENLMF
• Twitter: twitter.com/_lickmyfashion_
• Youtube: instagram.com/lickmyfashion

Image Credits
Instagram @keemsbehindthecam