We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jessie Christensen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jessie below.
Jessie, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
I love starting our interview with this question, because my mission is really integral to what I do. It goes far beyond being just a statement — it’s the driving force behind every decision I make, every piece of content I put out there, and every client I have the privilege to work with!
My mission is to help visionary entrepreneurs monetize their magic — aka to get paid (big!) simply for being THEM.
There’s something so powerful about having a brand that gives you the confidence to go BIG. To embody your next level of success. To attract premium clients at premium rates. To step into your FULL authority. And, most importantly, to make the impact you *know* you’re here to make.
For creative entrepreneurs especially, it’s so important to remember that we CAN be confident. We CAN be paid. We CAN be sought-after. All it takes is one moment — a decision that we are worth MORE. That’s when we really can tap into our voice, build our personal brands, and channel our energy into creating the life and business we truly desire.
There’s really nothing quite like seeing this transformation take place in my clients’ lives — not just in their businesses, but in themselves. The confidence. The unstoppable attitude. The ripple effect of them elevating their own clients’ lives. It’s truly magical, and that’s why I do what I do every single day.
Jessie, 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?
I am a personal brand strategist, creative director, and podcast host that helps founders stand out, make more, and level up their impact with a magnetic personal brand. Whether it’s crafting a compelling brand story, creating scroll-stopping visuals, or curating share-worthy brand experiences, I help founders leverage the most powerful business asset they have — their personal brand. When they do this, they become magnets that attract made-for-them clients and opportunities, drive impact, and take them to the top of their industry!
It’s interesting to think back to how I got into branding and design as a career path, because back when I was in college — all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed — I had one of my advertising professors tell me “You know, Jessie, you’ve got great ideas and all… but you’re just *not* a designer. You’ll never make it.”
(Its safe to say that my successful career in branding proves him wrong!)
As a personal brand strategist, with over a decade of experience building successful brands from the ground up, I have seen firsthand the incredible transformation that occurs when individuals embrace their unique identity and use it to fuel their brand (myself included!)
It’s my belief that YOU are your brand’s most powerful asset. Your story, your vision, your passion — these are the things that make you truly magnetic. It’s about showing up as yourself, and connecting with your people in a way that only you can.
What I want potential clients & followers to know about me and my work is that I’m here for YOU. To empower you, to inspire you, to help you realize your potential and communicate that to the world.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about building a brand; it’s about building a legacy. And I can’t wait to help you build yours.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I’d say pivoting and I are good friends at this point! My career has been anything but linear, but that’s what makes for a good story, right?
I started off my career by jumping straight into entrepreneurship and founding a brand design studio in Chicago. I poured my heart and soul into that business, learned the ropes, and worked with incredible clients all over the world. But after a few years (and a growing team!), I felt a pull towards something new. So, I followed that prompting, took a leap of faith, and jumped head first into the corporate creative world in NYC.
The corporate life was a whole new ballgame. Different rules, different players, and a big ol’ ladder to climb. But after a few more years (with the job title and salary I had always dreamed of), I felt that familiar pull again. This time, it was pulling me BACK to where I started — entrepreneurship. And so, I found myself pivoting once again, returning into the world I knew and loved.
But here’s the thing about these pivots — they weren’t random detours or unplanned deviations. They were conscious, intentional choices. Choices driven by the belief that I was meant for MORE. That there was something bigger out there for me. A new lesson I needed to learn. A new path I needed to take.
The beauty of pivots is that they’re not just changes in direction; they’re opportunities. They’re chances to redefine your journey, reshape your dreams, and reimagine your future.
In fact, I often find myself working with clients who are in the midst of their own business or brand pivots. It’s such a beautiful space to be in — it’s a space where anything is possible. A space where visions come to life, where you actually decide to go all in on a dream. And that’s such a power place to create from – whether it be building your brand for a new business venture, or for the next level version of what you’re already doing.
I’m sure I’ll face more pivots in the future. But instead of fearing them, I really do welcome them. I’ve never once regretted listening to that voice inside of me telling me I need to pivot, because it’s led me to a life and a career that I *absolutely* love.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I’ve had to unlearn SO many things since starting this business, but a big one was the idea that there’s some secret trick, magic funnel, or 10-step formula that’s going to make my business “successful.”
I mean, it sounds enticing, right? We all want that silver bullet, that magical solution that’s going to instantly solve alllll the problems in our business.
But, here’s the truth I learned after (lots of!) trial and error:
While these strategies can be effective, they’re NOT one-size-fits-all solutions. And most importantly, they may not work for YOU.
I spent too much time early on listening to the business “gurus,” implementing their strategies, and getting frustrated when they weren’t working for me. I then realized that adopting someone else’s strategy is like wearing someone else’s shoes. Sure, they might fit, but they’ll never be as comfortable as your own. They don’t have the same wear patterns, the same grooves. They’re not molded to fit you because they’re not you.
So, I had to unlearn the idea that success comes from formulas or funnels alone. Instead, I embraced the belief that owning who I am, and valuing my unique perspective, is what makes me truly magnetic. It’s what sets me apart. It’s what draws in the right opportunities and people to me — the ones who need what only I can offer.
And when I started embracing more of my personal brand, I TRIPLED my average monthly client inquiries in just ONE week.
So, forget about secret tricks and magic funnels. The real magic? It’s in YOU.
Always has been, always will be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jessie-christensen.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jessie__christensen
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/jessieachristensen
- Other: The Embody Your Brand Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-embody-your-brand-podcast/id1694298746 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6zGNQomeJzVSx0Cm8xbXoO?si=baf14087507c40fe
Image Credits
Shelly Xu