We were lucky to catch up with JÉ MARCELLE recently and have shared our conversation below.

JÉ, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

In my experience as a child, though I was extremely creative and highly involved in the different types of programs in school, from acting, being apart of the wiz quiz team (If I recall correctly), choir, as well as dance, I never really got the support in any of those endeavors. I didn’t think any thing of it at that time because I was so in love with what I was doing that I didn’t know that support was a necessary factor for any and all people. I continued to pursue my artistic endeavors from middle school, through high school, as well as college, and still the support from those that really mattered wasn’t there. I begin to notice the lack thereof in high school particularly. That’s when it slowly began to take an emotional toll on me but not enough to hinder me from doing or being my best, just enough for me to accept that reality at an early age which caused me to mentally take note to not expect anything from anyone but to put all my trust, fire, hope, and support in myself and to NEVER BE AFRAID TO PUT ALL BETS ON ME!

That is something that I have lived by, even the more now. This has to do with “taking a risk,” because often times people don’t realize that taking risks has more to do with you, your faith and confidence in yourself and what you believe in and/or believing for.

I developed the mindset that whether people understand me now or catch on later, support or the lack thereof would not be the leading factor in how or why I am doing something, but do it because it matters to me, do it because it right for ME, do it because it is my dream and our dreams should never be dependent on others because if your passion, your fire, your zeal is real concerning what you are doing or going after then somehow someway it will divinely come together some how some way.

That’s why I started my brand, ” JÉ MARCELLE,” as well as ” The Creative Laboratory by JÉ MARCELLE” along with my Podcast ” Raw, REEL, & Unfiltered.” I started these off of the strength of my own passion, desire, and heart to be impactful in a positive way, inclusive, while yet informing and in some ways correcting the posture of people when it comes to discipline, our love for ourselves, our morals, our values, and more importantly our standard, not limited to ourselves, but those we allow and or invite into our “circle” while also assisting others in bringing their dreams and visions together creatively and giving people their confidence and self-esteem back from where ever they may have been scattered mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and for some even physically through clothing, motivational speeches, song, and moreover giving them love.

I started off getting a lot of support. That support has somewhat trickled down, but in moments like this I believe God tests us to see what our hope and dreams are truly built on, what our foundation is made of, and to also ensure that we don’t get consumed by getting or receiving validation from others. Our WHY matters. That’s something I preach often to people. Why are you doing what you’re doing? Why do you want what you want? I believe our motives and intentions concerning our why matters not just to people but most importantly God. Knowing your why makes whatever you’re doing so much more meaningful.

So in this place that I am in right now, though it is different space for me, because. I am deconstructing the old, allowing God to construct the new, while reconstructing some of the things that I have let go of but actually need, both personally and business related. Doing so requires a lot of “risk taking” or as I’d prefer to call them ” Faith Moves.” With this comes the reality that before God multiplies He first has to subtract and divide and often times that part of the process can cause our hope to be deferred if we don’t have the right perspective about things. My word of encouragement to every reader is for them to realize that when you take risks, when you put your dreams and goals in the atmosphere, they will be tested and tried, you can either choose to sink or swim, (I hope swim), and to never put their confidence and hope in people and or how much they do or don’t support you rather truth the divine nature of God, trust your passion for what you do understanding that in its perfect timing everything will come together, including the support, the love, and the hands to assist in your vision dreams and goals. So pass your test, don’t lose sight of your “why” once you have truly identified it and know that ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR YOUR GOOD.

Never be afraid to take risks and put “all bets on YOU.”

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I believe that I am all around creative. Outside of having my own brand as mentioned in the previous question. I love creatively directing photoshoots as well as video shoots. I sing, act, as well as dance though I haven’t performed in a number of years now i was a preprofessional dancer and a student of Joffrey School of Ballet in Manhattan, NY. I style, I personal shop for clients who need a new wardrobe or a few pieces for photoshoots and/or engagements. I also write anything from music, poems, spoken words, and stories though this is a secret gift of mine that I do hope to get into more in the future. I advice both business and spiritually but more importantly I remain a student of life. I believe that is my biggest accomplishment and that’s important to me, remaining in a position to always be teachable and taught because the more I learn the more I have to teach, the more I get, the more I have to give, in the words of the late great Maya Angelou.

I want people to know that I am ever evolving, the me that I was yesterday, even so creatively, may not be the me that I become to day. For some that may be a good thing, to others it may not be, however, I am have to stay true to myself and my journey more than anything and with that comes evolution in my business dealings, my creative outlook, and who I am or what I allow personally as well. Either evolve with me, take a chance on me, or be free to go your way. Again, before God multiplies, He subtracts and divides. Whatever side we find ourselves on, it’s okay, it’s life. Embrace it and enjoy the journey.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I’d be pour into them more because we pour our into others so much more than we often receive recognition for and acknowledgement of. Every artist/creative needs to be poured into different. Ask them how can you help instead of always being so quick to take, even if you’re paying for their services, love on those who take out the time to assist you and or your vision in becoming the best possible thing it can be at that stage and phase of your life.

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

Seeing a finished product and it coming out the way I envisioned, if not, even greater than what I envisioned.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.MarcelleJ.us
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ceojemarcelle
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDxr0qY_aVRIZpdIgU6EUag

Image Credits
Ronald Smith @rdotsmith on Instagram Tanya on Instagram @thephotofirm