We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Thomas recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jessica , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
Wow, I have always had a love for the arts since I was a child. Whether it be drawing, poetry, dance, fashion, or creating dope visuals! At a very young age I knew in my heart that I was different, I was never afraid to dress how I wanted to dress, live how I wanted to live, or do whatever my heart desires. I was always labeled “weird” or “different” but I never let that dictate my life! Once I graduated high school, I went to the Art Institute to study fashion design and merchandising; shortly after I packed up and moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue my dream as a Fashion Stylist. That was such a pivotal moment in my life because I truly got a chance to experience so many things & meet so many amazing people! From there I was able to learn how to work in a showroom, pull clothes for celebrities, become an assistant to a well known Fashion Stylist/Influencer, work on a set, I learned to edit professional photos, I could go on and on. I say all this to say, I knew all along what my purpose was and the things I’ve always wanted to do, I did it! And I’m just getting started! I am creative, creating, creatively!
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
Like I mentioned before the love I have for fashion is unmatched! But I also enjoy working behind the scenes with taking photos, styling clients, a hip-hop dancer, a business owner, and host. Honestly having kids slowed me down drastically to the point where I lost sight of who I was. But with a lot of spiritual work, grounding, meditation, and healing; I can truly say that I’m back and I’m better! I am a full time mom and an entrepreneur & I love it. While working towards my influential platform as a Fashion Icon, I am also branching out into hosting/event coordinator. Not to mention having my skin care line called Shea Of Sunshine which is full of plant based ingredients that are sure to heal and nurture the skin; I am now venturing off into different projects in the Atlanta area. What sets me apart from most is the simple fact that I am me, a whole vibe! So the more I attend different events and build different connections with likeminded creatives like myself, it can only go up from here! I am excited to see what the year holds for me.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My goal is to live a life that I don’t have to take a break from! To continue building my brand from the ground up. Most importantly, to give my kids a life that is abundant, happy, and spiritually fulfilling. We deserve the very best and I will make sure it happens.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
Something that non-creatives will never understand is the fact that we work 24/7 around the clock! As a creative my mind is always racing, always trying to be two steps ahead, always thinking of my next event, or my next product, or how one week I make money and the next is slow! As a creative, we are never satisfied, we are always thinking of ways to be better or do more. Financial freedom & multiple streams of income is the goal! And a word of advice, stop telling entrepreneurs that they don’t have a real job. It’s very rude and distasteful; and honestly, it’s not easy being a creative!
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.sheaofsunshine.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/iamStyledByJxo
- Facebook: Jessica Thomas
- Youtube: IamStyledByJxo
- Other: Instagram.com/_sheaofsunshine Shea Of Sunshine LLC
Image Credits
Jessica Thomas Nyla Askew