We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jessica Cornel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jessica below.

Alright, Jessica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. 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.

Starting my social media agency was a risk that didn’t make sense on paper. I had just received my Master’s degree in Public Relations, finished 2 years at a public relations agency, and had a few freelance clients I loved to work with after my 9 to 5. I was financially comfortable and ready to settle down a traditional life with my small family.

But for 8 months, I had been repressing this feeling of being out of place where I was in life – like what I was doing, what I was meant to do, and like I was meant for something more. Deep down, I felt like I was missing out on life just by working 9 to 5, having to ask for PTO, and feeling like I was married to work without a choice. I wanted to go to work because I felt passionate about what I did and because I loved every single piece of what I did!

When it felt like I had hit the peak of my work, I decided to turn in my two-week notice. I felt that all of the perks of a full-time job, like stability, weren’t worth my inner desire for loving life or depriving myself of doing what I was meant to do.

That desire turned out to be flexibility and enjoying life while using my creativity and experience in strategy to uplift marginalized communities that I knew I could make an impact in. Leaving my job in PR birthed my digital agency that empowers women and BIPOC small business owners’ stories and truths through their social media presence. It was a risk that I’d take again because my quality of life increased tremendously and the relationships with my clients were all worth it.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I run a remote social media agency based out of Southern California that aspires to encourage and uplift marginalized voices to overcome societal limitations in their niche,

Growing up in a Filipino, I was restricted by my culture’s stereotypes, where I was expected to be a nurse or an engineer. I felt confined by an imaginary box set by other people, so I didn’t know how to choose a career or path for a long time. I was first introduced to social media in high school, where we were tasked to create an online portfolio for an organization and commit to it for six months. I grew an impressive following on multiple platforms for what social media was at the time. That project made me fall in love with appealing to the public, strategy, and the wonders of what social media could do and become! From there, I got my undergraduate and master’s degrees in public relations and digital management, leading me to 2 years at a public relations agency and now running my own business! Throughout my academic career, I had to balance a First Gen’s desire to please their hardworking parents vs. appealing to my passions. This meant having multiple conversations with my community discussing how stable my industry was, that I couldn’t force myself to love a science-related job, and that I could still be successful by my definition.

At Jess & Co. Socials, I research, strategize, and create monthly content for clients that aligns with and works toward their brand goals. Each client is different. Some clients just need help posting, while others want a full package that includes creating content from scratch, weekly newsletters, and community engagement. I like to work with my clients in their current setting and meet them where they’re at so that they feel comfortable while still having some control. Working with my clients is a collaborative effort where we build the ideas and brand up together so we’re all on the same page while ensuring their ideas are understood. This also helps manage expectations so my clients know what’s happening with their socials.

When it comes to potential clients, I look for their strive and love for their business, their ability to be flexible and experimenting, and a story that I resonate with. I feel that content is more likely to be successful if you’re creating as someone within the target demographic rather than creating it FOR others. A strong relationship between a social media manager and a client is a huge factor in success. Everyone has a voice and a story that should be heard to help others, and I want to help bring that to life.

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

Growing up, I thought creativity comprised aesthetic designs and the prettiest photos. I’ve learned that I’m a jack of all trades and couldn’t hold down either of these skills. I found myself attracted more towards video editing and strategizing how to reach target audiences the most.

Because my immediate definition of “creativity” was only confined to these skills, I put myself down and self-sabotaged from starting my own business – even seeing my self-worth as less than other creatives. For a while, I tried to force myself into traditional forms of creativity to feel like I was on par with others. But as I leaned into my God-given talents, I found myself thriving even more! Once I started leaning into this, my skills really began to improve and so did my clientele.

From this, I learned to rid myself of definitions and redefine terms like creativity and success meant to me. These look different to everyone else and I’m not going to excel by other people’s standards.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I’ve been extremely fortunate that most of my clients have been word of mouth. I’ve been putting my foot in the door with other industries for years, and luckily, this year, it paid off!

I started by putting a lot of effort into my social media to practice some techniques and strategies I’ve been seeing along. This gathered the attention of other clients of mine and created interest in doing social media for their businesses! At the time, I wasn’t planning freelance work, but I truly appreciated their passion for their business and desire to work with me, which blossomed into Jess & Co. Socials!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jessicacornel.my.canva.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessandco.socials/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-cornel/

Image Credits
Featured photo was taken by Jon Asato.