We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Oduro recently and have shared our conversation 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.

In September of 2023, I was sitting on my living room couch having a mental breakdown. I was a year and a half into my corporate consulting job when I decided I needed to quit. I always knew I wouldn’t be in the corporate space forever, as I was doing social media part time and that was my passion.

I never thought to quit my job without having a back up plan, but I heard God as clear as day when He told me “how do you want to be a full time content creator when you’re not full time?” In that moment, I called my mom to let her know the choice I was making, and that I was taking this risk on quitting my job to bet on myself.

The following day I got on a teams call with my manager and quit effective immediately. I had no idea what I was going to do or what the next couple weeks were gonna look like. All I knew was I had a weight lifted off my shoulders, because I made the right decision.

In that same year I made over 5 figures in one month, which was the most I’ve ever made in a single month. Over a year later, I’m signed to my dream agency, and I’ve made connections and memories I never thought were possible.

Breakthrough is always on the other side of fear, and taking that risk forever changed my life.

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.

As a 25 year old who is still figuring it out, I always ask myself “how did I get here?” The social media/ influencer space is still a rarely new market that wasn’t always this popular back in the day.

I went to school to become an OBGYN, with the full intention of being a doctor, but it’s funny how life’s plans can change. With a more outgoing personality, I had friends always tell me that I should start a YouTube channel in college. So in 2019 of my sophomore year, I posted my first ever video not knowing where it would take me. I started out posting hair videos, then adding in some beauty and vlogs of my life!

Later on TikTok came into the picture and I began posting beauty and home decor content. Before I knew it, I was growing by the thousands and began to realize I could make money on the side by posting consistently on social media. This is when I began partnering with hair companies in exchange for videos, and also began my Amazon affiliate influencer journey!

Since that day I have showed up as my authentic self consistently and have grown to over 170,000 followers across all my social media platforms! I managed myself up until December 2024, and I’m now being managed by one of the top influencer agencies, Kensington Grey.

My goal is to always put out content that makes people feel good when they visit my page, and my personality and authenticity behind the cameras is what sets me apart from others. I’m always pushing to learn and stand out within this space by upgrading my editing styles, and letting people in on my lifestyle!

I never thought I would be here, but now that I am, I know that the possibilities are endless. I’m forever proud of the fact that I never let other people’s perception of my life keep me from following my dreams. I’ve always seen the vision and I’ll always bet on myself.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Back in May 2024, there was widespread concern about TikTok potentially being banned, and as someone who built a significant part of my platform on TikTok, the uncertainty was nerve-wracking. I had spent years cultivating a loyal audience there, and the thought of losing that connection pushed me to reevaluate how I approached my content strategy.

I knew I couldn’t rely solely on one platform, so I made the decision to double down on Instagram, even though it felt intimidating at the time. Instagram had always felt a bit different—like a space where perfection was expected—but I challenged myself to lean into authenticity, the same way I had on TikTok.

At first, I was hesitant, worried about whether my audience would resonate with my content on a different platform. But instead of letting fear hold me back, I pushed myself to post consistently, experiment with different formats like Reels, and share parts of my life that felt raw and real.

This pivot not only helped me grow my Instagram presence but also taught me the importance of diversifying and staying adaptable. It reminded me that I’m capable of thriving in any space, as long as I stay true to myself and focus on creating value for my audience. It was a challenging time, but it ultimately strengthened my confidence as a creator and broadened the opportunities for my brand.

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

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the ability to inspire and connect with others on a deeper level. Knowing that my content can resonate with someone—whether it’s helping them style an outfit they feel confident in, giving them ideas to make their home feel cozier, or introducing them to a beauty product that enhances their self-care routine—makes the work incredibly fulfilling.

I love seeing my creativity come to life and witnessing how it impacts others in meaningful ways. Whether it’s through a comment saying, “I needed this idea,” or someone sharing how my journey has inspired them to pursue their own creative passions, those moments remind me why I started. Being able to create something authentic that sparks joy, confidence, or even a small positive change in someone’s day is truly the most rewarding part of what I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bio.site/itsjessnicole
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsjessicanicole_?igsh=a2NmYmY2ZjkzdnI%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-o-5aa76b163?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Itsjessnicolee

Image Credits

IG: skdthebrand