Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jayda Symone. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jayda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

In 2022, I was offered a few hundred dollars by a hair company to create an Instagram reel for their custom shampoo and conditioner, specifically designed for my hair needs. I knew creators were making money as influencers, but for that to become my reality wasn’t something I had considered. It really made me realize how valuable I was as a creator to brands, that they would want to work with me and invest money in me and my content. It made me feel really good inside, accomplished even, to be compensated for something I just did for fun. While I still don’t create content solely for the money, I’ve managed to turn it into a lucrative side hustle, and I am truly blessed for every opportunity.

Jayda, 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?

Hi, my name is Jayda Symone, and I am a 21-year-old lifestyle content creator based in Orlando, FL. I started creating content a few years ago in college after coming across an opportunity with Xfinity to promote their services on my college campus as an ambassador. From there, I became exposed to a new world of opportunities as a college student to make more money, and eventually, I fell in love with it.

I do believe I have always been a more creative and artsy person. As a child, it was drawing and painting. In middle and high school, I discovered my love for photography, which allowed me to express myself in a different kind of way and capture moments I wanted to cherish forever.

In the months leading up to graduating college, I slowly realized that perhaps photography wasn’t my true calling. At the same time, I was participating in more college ambassador opportunities. Being more in front of the camera allowed me to share more of my personality and helped me shed some of my introverted skin and gain confidence.

Three years later, I can say I am still deeply passionate about the art of content creation, and I look forward to continuing to learn and grow as a creative. I pride myself on authenticity; what you see with me online is truly who I am in real life, and I hope that’s what my audience gets from any of the content I post online. On platforms like Instagram and TikTok, you can find me dabbling in a few different content niches, but I tend to focus a lot on lifestyle, beauty, both hair and skin, and just a smidge of fashion. On my YouTube channel, you can mostly find vlogs, but I also have a few hair tutorials as well.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think one of the easiest ways to support creatives is to interact with their content. We’re all on social media for fun, and I can understand how seeing ads all the time ruins the experience. But sometimes, it really is just as easy as liking a photo as you’re scrolling or leaving a comment on one of your friend’s sponsored posts. Simple interactions like that help brands see that they chose the right creator and will further push those creators to get more opportunities. And not everything is a sponsored post either. If your friend posted a cute pic, like the picture. If you see her promoting her brand, share it to your story or with someone you think might be interested. To me, it’s just that easy.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a content creator is building your own community. It’s amazing to create a space where like-minded individuals can gather, discuss shared interests, and freely exchange information.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Jaydasym or www.instagram.com/jaydasym
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/jaydasymone
• Other: Tiktok: @Jaydasym or www.tiktok.com/jaydasym