We were lucky to catch up with Jasmine Okocha recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jasmine , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I came up with the idea for my business as a need to connect with others. I had recently moved to Morocco and was very homesick, needed an outlet, and wanted to share my adventures (good and bad). My first travel-related video in Morocco was a train trip to Rabat. I loved putting it together (looking back, it’s pretty raw and rough quality-wise). I started to gain a following for my travel content and content specific to Morocco and Expat life on my YouTube channel and blog. I didn’t know it then, but these topics were marketable. So, years later, I decided to offer Consultation services for people thinking about Moving abroad. I also created an ebook about job opportunities abroad while sharing my story. There are many layers to this business of mine (both on the side of the creator and the side of the business leader); at times, I am still trying to figure things out.

I look forward to where I will continue to grow on this journey and what happens next.

Jasmine , 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?

In 2016, I married the love of my life, and we moved to Morocco with the Foreign Service. I had a rough time adjusting, so I taught English in Morocco while pouring into The Jazzy Nation to help me cope with homesickness and communicate with friends and family.

2018, I moved to India because my husband got a new job. My adjustment to my new country was challenging but more manageable. I traveled around India and other countries, and these adventures fueled my passion for travel.

Then, the world shifted. 2020, the global pandemic hit, and I remained in India for my work with the American Embassy to support American expats.

Then, I moved back to the United States for about a year. I explored my home country and visited my family, which was a great way to reconnect and get focused again. During this time, I also opened up The Jazzy Nation to include services like expat life consulting, courses, and ebooks, brand partnerships, and collaborations. It was a great way to make an income during this transitional period.

In 2021, my husband and I moved to Ecuador to start his new job. We were also expecting the arrival of our first child. Moving to a new country while pregnant and maintaining my business was complicated, but the challenges inspired me. I am happy to be where. am now, and I can’t wait to share more with the world.

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

Before I moved abroad for the first time in 2017, I knew I wanted to have some employment to help fuel my lifestyle, utilize my skill sets, and keep me busy.

My husband was already connected with his colleagues at the U.S. Consulate in Morocco. During a brief conversation with a friend, they mentioned that the organization wanted to create an English language program for the local staff who currently work for the Consulate.

My husband had mentioned that my previous employment consisted of me writing curriculums, creating programs, and teaching. So they asked him to pass along the idea of this job at the Consulate to me.

Of course, I jumped to throw my name in the hat. This job matched the vision and goals I had for myself as a new expat living abroad.

A few weeks after this conversation, I applied for the job, had an interview over the phone, and was hired shortly after.
I share my story not to boast about my qualifications or the fantastic job I was able to get.

Having a job right after arriving in Morocco saved my life, marriage, and sanity. I was deeply depressed when I first moved abroad. Having a job allowed me not to rely on staying in my home. I was forced to get out, make connections, grow, and eventually see the life I had always dreamed of for myself and my family.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I recently watched Elaine Welteroth’s Masterclass, and it was phenomenal! It was one of the most inspiring, straightforward groups of classes I have seen in a long time.

Contact Info:

• Website: thejazzynation.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/thejazzynation.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/thejazzynation.com
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/thejazzynation.com
• Youtube: youtube.com/thejazzynation.com1

Image Credits
These images belong to me/were taken by me/my husband.