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

Jessica , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

One thing that sets Essentially Blessed Jessica Education apart from the industry standard is the deep focus on emotional intelligence and holistic education. While many educational resources are built solely around academic success, my brand takes a more inclusive approach that combines both academic learning and emotional well-being, especially for young children. As an educator with a background in special education, I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is to address the emotional needs of students in order for them to truly thrive in their learning environments.

A prime example of this difference is my children’s book, Learning How to Control My Emotions, which is specifically designed for K-2 students. It goes beyond basic academic lessons and helps young children recognize, understand, and manage their emotions. This type of resource isn’t common in the typical children’s book market, where the focus tends to be more on entertainment or traditional learning subjects like math or reading.

This divergence matters because it equips children with lifelong skills that aren’t often prioritized in mainstream education—self-regulation, empathy, and resilience. I’ve had teachers and parents reach out to tell me how much they appreciate having these kinds of resources, especially for kids who are neurodivergent or struggle with emotional regulation. The impact of this approach is that it not only supports academic success but fosters a stronger sense of self-awareness and emotional health in children, which I believe is just as important.

One story that illustrates why this matters happened during a school visit where I was reading my book to a group of K-2 students. After the reading, a little boy came up to me and told me how he sometimes feels “big emotions” but didn’t know what to do with them until he heard the story. His teacher later mentioned that he had been struggling with outbursts in class and that the tools in the book gave him something to work with. It’s moments like that which reaffirm why I chose to diverge from the standard and make emotional intelligence a central part of my brand. It’s about helping children, especially the ones who might otherwise get overlooked, to feel understood and empowered.

Jessica , 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?

Absolutely! My name is Jessica Gardner, and I’m the founder of Essentially Blessed Jessica Education. I’ve spent many years working in the education field, particularly in special education and early childhood development, which is where I found my true passion. I’m also a self-published author of children’s books that focus on emotional intelligence, mental health, and social-emotional learning, which I feel is an area often overlooked in traditional education.

How I Got Into My Industry:
I’ve always had a passion for teaching and working with children, but it was my own journey as a teacher and instructional assistant in the special education space that really opened my eyes to the needs of students who face unique challenges. Whether they’re neurodivergent, struggling with emotional regulation, or need individualized support, I saw firsthand how important it was to provide resources that could help them not just academically, but emotionally as well. That’s what inspired me to create Essentially Blessed Jessica Education and write books like Learning How to Control My Emotions—to fill a gap in the educational market by offering tools that support the whole child.

Products & Services:
My main products are children’s books and educational resources that emphasize emotional learning and self-regulation. My books are specifically designed for young children, often in grades K-2, and focus on helping kids understand and manage their emotions in a healthy way. I also provide motivational content through my platform and share holistic educational strategies for teachers, parents, and caregivers to use in their homes or classrooms.

Aside from books, I also offer workshops and community events where I bring these ideas to life, engaging directly with kids and educators. I’m currently working on expanding my brand to include even more interactive content like workshops and school visits to foster meaningful conversations around mental health and self-awareness.

What Problems Do I Solve?
One of the key problems I address through my work is the lack of emotional support for young children in the traditional education system. Many students, especially those who are neurodivergent or struggle with emotional regulation, don’t have the tools they need to understand and process their emotions. This can lead to outbursts, disengagement from school, or even feeling misunderstood. My books and resources aim to bridge that gap by providing strategies that are easy for both kids and adults to implement.

I also solve the problem of accessibility. I self-publish my books, which allows me to make them widely available to families and schools without the limitations that come with traditional publishing routes. I offer relatable stories and actionable tools that children can use immediately, whether at home or in the classroom.

What Sets Me Apart:
What really sets Essentially Blessed Jessica Education apart is the focus on emotional intelligence and holistic learning. I integrate mindfulness and emotional awareness into everything I create. My approach is not just about teaching kids to get better grades but helping them develop the emotional skills they need to succeed in life. By focusing on social-emotional learning from an early age, my work fosters resilience, empathy, and self-regulation, which are key components to a child’s success, both academically and personally.

Another unique aspect of my brand is my experience as both a special education professional and someone who has personally faced learning challenges. I’ve been in the shoes of my students, and I use that personal experience to connect with them on a deeper level.

What I’m Most Proud Of:
I’m incredibly proud of the impact my work has had on children and their families. One of my proudest moments was when a teacher told me that one of her students, who had been struggling with emotional outbursts, started using the techniques from my book to manage his feelings in class. It’s stories like that which make all the hard work worth it.

I’m also proud of being an advocate for neurodivergent children and supporting them through resources that speak directly to their needs. I’m a strong believer in the power of storytelling to foster understanding, and I’m proud to be able to contribute to a movement toward more inclusive and emotionally supportive education.

What I Want Potential Clients and Followers to Know:
I want people to know that Essentially Blessed Jessica Education is all about empowerment. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, my goal is to provide you with the tools to help your child navigate the complex world of emotions in a healthy, constructive way. I also want my followers to know that I’m always learning and growing. As both an educator and an author, I continually seek ways to improve and expand my offerings so I can better serve the children and families who trust in my work.

Ultimately, I want my brand to be a safe, encouraging space for kids to feel seen and understood. I’m not just creating books; I’m building a community where emotional well-being is prioritized and where children can thrive in every aspect of their lives.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

Currently, I sell my books and educational resources through platforms like Amazon, and I’m exploring other options like Etsy and possibly my own website in the future. Each platform has its advantages, and my choice has been shaped by accessibility, reach, and ease of use.

Selling on Amazon:
Amazon has been my primary platform for selling my books. The biggest advantage of Amazon is its massive customer base. It’s a trusted marketplace, so people are already comfortable shopping there, and the reach is unparalleled. As a self-published author, it also allows me to handle things like printing and shipping with ease through their Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform.

However, one of the downsides of using Amazon is the lack of control over branding. Amazon is great for reach, but it doesn’t give you the ability to customize the customer experience as much as I’d like. I also don’t have direct access to my customers, which makes it harder to build long-term relationships with them.

Exploring Etsy:
Etsy is another platform I’m considering for more personalized or custom educational materials. The benefit of Etsy is that it’s more tailored to creative, handcrafted, or niche products, which aligns well with the nature of my brand. It also offers more flexibility for customization and a closer relationship with buyers, which I appreciate. However, the challenge with Etsy is that it’s more labor-intensive, especially when it comes to handling inventory, shipping, and customer inquiries.

Pros & Cons:
Pros of Using Established Platforms:

Wider Reach: Platforms like Amazon offer a global marketplace with an existing audience.
Ease of Use: With services like printing and shipping taken care of, I can focus on content creation.
Trusted Brand: Buyers trust platforms like Amazon, which reduces barriers to purchase.
Cons:

Less Branding Control: I have limited control over the customer experience and how my brand is presented.
Fees: Both Amazon and Etsy take a percentage of sales, which can add up, especially for small business owners.
Customer Relationships: It’s harder to build a direct relationship with my audience on large platforms like Amazon.
Future Plans:
I am planning to eventually launch my own website for Essentially Blessed Jessica Education. This will give me full control over my brand and allow me to engage directly with my customers. I’ll be able to offer more personalized experiences, collect customer feedback, and create a more cohesive community around my educational mission. The challenge, of course, is the time and effort required to set up and manage the site, but the long-term benefits of having a direct sales channel outweigh the cons.

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

One educational story that stands out for me occurred during a lesson I conducted with a group of K-2 students while I was working as an instructional assistant. We were discussing emotions and the importance of understanding how they affect our behavior and relationships with others. I decided to use a book I had written, Learning How to Control My Emotions, to facilitate the discussion.

Setting the Scene:
As I read the story, I noticed how engaged the children were. They giggled at the illustrations and were eager to share their thoughts about the characters and the emotions they experienced. After finishing the book, I prompted them to think about their own feelings and to share a time when they felt a strong emotion, like happiness, sadness, or anger.

The Activity:
To deepen their understanding, I introduced an activity called the “Emotion Wheel.” We crafted a large wheel divided into sections for different emotions—happy, sad, angry, surprised, and scared. I encouraged each student to color in their favorite emotion and then share a story related to it.

One shy girl, who often struggled to participate in class, raised her hand. She chose to share about a time she felt scared when she heard loud thunder during a storm. With encouragement, she spoke about how she had hidden under her blanket and felt safer when her mom came to sit with her. The moment she shared her story, I could see her confidence grow. The other students listened intently, nodding their heads in understanding.

The Impact:
What struck me most was how the other children began to share their own stories of fear—one boy talked about being afraid of the dark, while another shared how he felt sad when he had to move away from his friends. The classroom transformed into a safe space for open conversation about emotions.

After the activity, we wrapped up with a discussion on how it’s okay to feel these emotions and that talking about them helps us understand ourselves and support each other. This lesson not only reinforced the concepts of emotional literacy but also fostered a sense of community and connection among the students. They learned that everyone experiences similar feelings, which is important for building empathy.

Reflection:
This experience illustrated the power of storytelling in education. It reminded me of why I focus on emotional intelligence in my work. When children feel comfortable expressing their emotions and sharing their experiences, it lays the groundwork for better communication, understanding, and resilience in their lives. This story is a testament to how education can empower young minds to navigate their feelings and build meaningful relationships, which is at the heart of what I aim to achieve through Essentially Blessed Jessica Education.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essentiallyblessedjessicaedu/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Essentiallyblessedjessicaeducation
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicathomas1635/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@essentiallyblessedjessica

Image Credits

Tyson’s Photography